FOOTPRINTS ON THE TRAIL ART SHOW & SALE
SHOW: Footprints On The Trail Art Show and Sale
Holiday Inn Convention Center
Dwayne McClellan
PHOTOGRAPHER
Photography is a passion, an art form, be it landscapes,
wildlife, nature, sports, livestock, people or transportation.
There is beauty in all facets of life.
www.dwaynemcclellanstudios.com
dwaynemcclellanstudios@gmail.com
"Big Boy 4014" • Steam engine operated by the Union Pacific Railways
34 • portfolio
Among the talented artists showcasing their work this year is Donna
Ridgway, whose paintings reflect a deep-rooted connection to the Western
way of life. Raised on a farm between Valier and Dupuyer, Ridgway's love
for Western themes stems from personal experience. Her childhood was
filled with horses, cale, branding bees, and the ever-changing landscape
of Montana. ese memories continue to shape her artistic process, where
every brushstroke tells a story.
Ridgway's work captures the intimate moments of life in the West—
whether it's the vibrant colors of an early sunrise, the playful interactions
of animals, or the spirit of a horse in motion. Her piece, "Early Sunrise on
Coonwood Creek Camp," embodies this storytelling approach, inspired
by a stunning December sunrise that painted the landscape with brilliance.
"It was as if the sun grabbed rays of light and threw them around like paint,"
Ridgway recalls. is vivid memory transformed into a painting where
colors lead the viewer into a deeper narrative, revealing a girl eager to greet
the morning alongside her beloved horse.
Her unique approach to Western art blends traditional themes with an
intuitive painting style, using symbols rather than strict realism to convey
emotion and movement. "I used to paint realistically from looking at my
reference photos, but now I like to make up stories and portray them with
symbols," she explains. is method allows her to create art that feels
personal, evolving with each brushstroke.
Elyssa Leininger - Canyon Overlook • 30" x 40" Oil on Canvas
