I recently had the pleasure of attending a preview party for the new Veryl Goodnight exhibit at the National Cowgirl Museum & Hall-of-Fame. Goodnight will be inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall-of-Fame this fall, and after spending about an hour with some of her works, I can see why.

The Anne W. Marion Gallery in the Cowgirl museum is temporary home to 17 of Goodnight’s bronze sculptures and 11 paintings until Oct. 30. Paired together in several cases, the themes range from wildlife and horses to Western women. Each piece is as evoking as the next. Her strong moving brush strokes engage the eye and the color pallets are true to the natural world. The bronze sculptures are strong in presence and composition. The patina effects used on many of the pieces is lovely and subtle. For me, it evoked a feeling of seeing a vague memory come to life.