Vicki Downey Cheek

I began drawing at the age of 4, which was also about the time I sat on my first horse, and a love affair for both began. My rural upbringing not only fueled my passion for horses, I was surrounded by farmers and folks that lived off of the land. Eventually trips to Texas and out West introduced me to the world of ranchers. I am fascinated with the honest hard work and connection with Mother Earth that seems to be inherent in the western way of life, whether it is a small farm or a ranch spreading across several miles. My inspiration comes from spending time with family and friends that live on these farms and ranches. Working long hard days of fixing fence lines to driving cattle, often in the severest of conditions, these men and women are of strong heart and character. Through my art, I hope to share their stories. Vicki and her TWH mare, Dixie

In addition to creating paintings and drawings of horses and western landscapes, I am working on a series of art focusing on women that live the western way of life and their total devotion to it. Many of these women work full time jobs, raise children, cook and clean in addition to running their farm or ranch. After a full day, and completion of their regular chores, these women can be found in the barn delivering foals, checking fence line around a pasture after a storm, or out on the range rounding up lost calves. It is my desire to introduce these remarkable women to the world through my art. In the course of my exploration and study of western and farm life, I have gathered references and research not only here in Missouri, but in Idaho, New Mexico, Texas and Wyoming. With honor for the culture I portray, I work to depict each story in accuracy and in great detail. My mission is to pay tribute to the western way of life through my drawings and paintings. Vicki Downey Cheek lives in Columbia, MO with her husband Randy, their two horses Dixie and Buster, and their cat named Taz. Her paintings and drawings hang in private collections across the United States, in Taiwan, Australia, and England. She regularly donates to various charity events that benefit St. Jude's Children's Hospital, the American Cancer Society, and animal rescue organizations.