Kathy Jowett
About the artist.
Kathy Jowett was born in St. Petersburg, Florida, and holds a BA in Art Education from Florida State University. After nearly a decade teaching art, she moved to central Florida where she opened an independent bookstore and art gallery. Following 18 years in the bookstore business, she transitioned to interior design and sales management, a career she enjoyed for 16 years before retiring.
Now focused full-time on her art, Kathy works from her studio, located in the loft of her old barn, drawing inspiration from nature and the Western ranch lifestyle. She favors colored pencils and graphite, aiming to capture the essence of her subjects, whether people or animals. Kathy and her husband split their time between their homes in rural Florida and Westcliffe, Colorado, enjoying the beauty of the longleaf forests and Sangre de Cristo mountains.
Kathy approaches her art with the hope that each piece reflects the deep love and connection she feels for the people, places, and the animals she draws. Through careful attention to detail and emotion, her work captures the unique spirit and stories of her subjects.
Lost & Found
This piece captures the timeless spirit of the cowboy, a symbol of courage, hard work, and honor. Inspired by a photo taken by Miquel Cuenca. While drawing this rugged cowboy leading his longhorn, I reflected on how cowboys have long represented the best of what it means to be an American: brave, dedicated, and always standing for what’s right.
Color Pencil on toned paper
8” X 12 1/2”
Looking back to see
This color pencil drawing captures a poignant moment I witnessed during Branding Day on a ranch nearby. As cows and calves were herded into the corral by horsemen, just as it was done a century ago, they were then separated for branding and vaccinations. This drawing focuses on one of the first mother cows to be placed in the trailer. Her soulful eyes and nose peered through the metal bars, framed by beautiful peeling green paint and rust, creating an image that felt timeless and compelling. The event was a mix of tradition and emotion, with the mothers and babies being reunited once the procedures were completed.
Color Pencil on drafting film
9” X 7 1/2”
Buggy Buddy
Measuring 8” X 16”, this color pencil drawing, captures an Amish horse and buggy tied to a hitching post outside our local grocery store in Westcliffe, Colorado. The horse with its wind-tossed mane, struck me as particularly beautiful, inspiring me to capture its essence on paper. I left the background white, allowing the details of the horse and buggy to stand out.
Color Pencil on drafting film
8” X 16”
Travelin’ Buddies
Meet Katie, the fearless & spirited 11-year-old who never travels without a trailer full of horses. Katie has been riding almost since she could walk, and she has a unique bond with these magnificent creatures, who follow her everywhere. Whether she’s riding bareback, jumping, or performing daring back flips off them, Katie’s dream is to become a trick rider. Her kindness shines through in everything she does, making her a true horse whisperer.
Color Pencil on drafting film
10” X 12”
In Trusting Arms
This color pencil drawing captures a tender moment between 14 year old Ida Faye and one of the horses she loved and trained at her family’s business, Sunset Ranch Equine, in Westcliffe, Colorado. Ida Faye has been surrounded by horses her entire life, embodying the ranch’s tagline, “Training Through Trust.” This piece was created with Polychromos pencils on drafting film measuring 12” X 14” and is titled “In Trusting Arms” to reflect the deep bond she shares with these majestic animals.
Ida Faye is an extraordinary young woman….. patient, intelligent, kind, and has a heart of gold. She is a dedicated horse trainer, unafraid of the hard work that comes with the role. Her hands bear the marks of the reins, her hair often dusted from the days work, and her sun-kissed skin tells the story of hours spent outdoors. She understands that being a horse trainer is not just about riding. It’s about a way of life filled with love, care, and deep appreciation for those strong, gentle creatures. I hope my drawing conveys the love, dedication, and trust that Ida Faye pours into every moment with her four-legged companions.
Color Pencil on drafting film
12” X 14”
Born to Ride
This drawing captures the calm confidence of a young Amish boy as he sits astride his favorite pony. His relaxed posture, with arms crossed over the saddle horn, and the whip in his hand, reflects his comfort with the cowboy life - a lifestyle ingrained in his family of horse trainers. Wearing a big black hat, he embodies the spirit of a young cowboy, raised in a world where training and working with horses is second nature.
Color Pencil on drafting film
11” X 18”
Taken’ a rest
In this piece, two magnificent draft horses, Max and Diesel, stand tied to a hitching post on the farm where they live, patiently awaiting their next task. Fully outfitted with the gear needed to pull a wagon for their Amish owners, these gentle giants exude both strength and serenity. The play of light on their fur highlights their beauty, while the shadows they cast create a captivating sense of depth. Drawing these powerful creatures and their intricate equipment was a joy, bring to life a moment of calm before their hard work begins.
Color Pencil on Fabriano Artistico paper
12” X 18”
In His Element
This drawing holds a special place in my heart, as it captures my husband with his beloved 1976 Toyota Land Cruiser. The reference photo was taken on our property in Florida, set amidst the palmetto’s and longleaf pines that he, as a forester and true outdoorsman, knows so well. We found his Land Cruiser not far from our home in Colorado, and it’s been a part of many adventures since. Through this piece, I hope you can see not just his connection to the land, but also the deep love and admiration I have for him. This drawing is a tribute to both his spirit and the vehicle that’s become a part of our journey together.
Graphite pencil and Fabriano Artistico
12” X 16”
Tracks Through Time
This graphite pencil drawing captures a moment in time when Engine #3, a weathered steam engine, pauses on the tracks in the midst of a thinned pine forest. The open cars are filled with freshly cut timber and logs lay scattered on either side of the rails. Around the train a group of black men lean and gather, deep in conversation, adding life to this industrial scene. While I initially didn’t expect to enjoy drawing an old train the combination of expressive lines and detailed elements drew me in. The result is a tribute to the hardworking people and the historic engines that helped shape the land.
Graphite pencil on Strathmore paper
12” X 18”
Sam
Sam is playing a clawhammer banjo….. which is known to be a little more laid-back style when compared to picking the banjo. The first Americans to play clawhammer banjo were black slaves. Banjo music became a way for these black communities to represent, analyze, and endure their circumstances.
My drawing is done with graphite pencil and measures 13” X 16”. I am not fast…. So I spent many hours with Sam. Once I finished and shipped him out, I missed him like an old friend. Often, while working on him, I would listen to clawhammer banjo music….which always kept me wondering about Sam and his world.
Graphite pencil and Fabriano Artistico paper
13” X 16”
Beneath the Longleaf
The subject of this drawing is a gopher tortoise, a creature I find both fascinating and wonderful. I captured the reference photo outside our old barn. I am fortunate to live on 40 acres of longleaf pine in central Florida, an ideal habitat for these ancient reptiles. The tortoise depicted here is one of our largest and oldest residents. It serves as a reminder of the history and life that existed long before us.
This piece measuring 5 1/2” X 11” was created using prismacolor pencils on toned paper. It was a true joy to bring this remarkable tortoise to life through my art.
Color Pencil on toned paper
5 1/2” X 11”
I love capturing the unique personality and soul of every pet I draw, focusing especially on their eyes… after all they say the eyes are the window to the soul! I also have a soft spot for their sweet noses, which are just as endearing. Drawing pets brings me so much joy because they’re funny, sweet, and always full of love.
Color Pencil on drafting film
Contact me.
Would you like an original piece featuring someone special or a beloved pet? I would love to create that for you!
I hope you enjoyed my art. If you’d like to commission a custom drawing, just provide your details below, and I will be in touch to bring your vision to life.