Bill Owen

Artist Biography

At the early age of seven or eight, Bill Owen began drawing and painting with watercolor. When he was accepted into a gallery in the late 1960's, he was encouraged, knowing he finally had an opportunity to make the leap to becoming a full-time professional artist, which he believed to be his destiny. In 1973, Bill became the youngest ever to be accepted and inducted into the prestigious Cowboy Artists of America. Bill has exhibited his art, prints and sculptures at the Whitney Museum in Cody, Wyoming, the Grand Palais in Paris, France, and at the Western Art Show in Beijing, China.

In 1989, while practicing team roping for an upcoming rodeo, Bill Owen survived a freak accident, which resulted in the loss of sight in his right eye. He soon learned he could no longer sculpt due to the loss of depth perception. However, Bill never allowed himself to view the loss of sight and the resulting lack of depth perception as a handicap, and believed he adjusted and compensated; possibly overcoming the limitations his injury had incurred on his art, prints and sculptures. During the summer of 2002, after selling the ranch and relocating, Bill presented his first sculpture in thirteen years at the 37th Annual Cowboy Artists of America Show, held October 18, 2002 at the Phoenix Art Museum, and it was very well received.

Bill Owen continues to gather research for his art, prints and sculptures on numerous cattle ranches throughout Arizona and Texas, but has missed having his own ranch. Riding horses simply for the sake of riding doesn't appeal to Bill; he prefers to have a purpose when he rides. Early in 2003 he was thrilled to be presented with the opportunity to enter into a partnership on the DG Ranch, located approximately 20 minutes north of his home, with Dean Cameron and Clay Tyree, where they raise Corriente roping cattle.

Bill Owen Art, Prints and Posters Collection