LIFE’S BETTER IN BOOTS

Throughout her decades of painting, Donna Howell-Sickles has captured the competence and confidence of cowgirls in so many scenarios, but perhaps none speak to us so strongly as the playful portraits of trying on boots.

“It really is one of life’s little luxuries, isn’t it? Trying on boots,” said Cheryl. “I relate to these paintings to the point I can almost smell the leather. I’ve been this cowgirl, my sisters have been this cowgirl, our customers have been this cowgirl.”

The scenes resonated with us so much that we styled our shoot around them, aiming to mimic the composition and capture that same joy.

But from the artist’s perspective, it’s about more than joy – it’s about strength.

With Friends Like These - Donna Howell-Sickles

“All of the shapes and things people use on their Western wear and on their boots are symbolic,” Donna explained. “So you could get a big collection of boots and each pair would be like putting on a different piece of your armor, something else to give you strength for that day. Sometimes you have to gear up to face the world.”