LYNN BROWN DESIGNS 2019 RENO RODEO LIMITED EDITION COMMEMORATIVE PRINT
RENO, Nev. (March 25, 2019) – The Reno Rodeo unveiled the 2019 limited edition commemorative poster on Friday, March 22 during the Reno Rodeo Association dinner at the Nugget Casino Resort. Texas-based artist Lynn Brown was commissioned by 2019 Reno Rodeo president Mike Torvinen to create the piece. Both the original watercolor painting and a framed poster print were unveiled simultaneously, revealing a depiction of the first bucking horse champion “Hippy” Burmister from the 1919 Reno Rodeo.
This year marks the 38th year that the Reno Rodeo president has selected and collaborated with an artist to create a limited edition print in honor of the “Wildest, Richest Rodeo in the West.” In starting the process for his print, Torvinen knew he wanted an artist that had an “old timey” feel to their work.
“I wanted this piece to encapsulate the essence of what the Reno Rodeo was like 100 years ago,” said Torvinen. “It was important to me to capture that time past.”
While flipping through Western Horseman magazine, he found his artist.
Brown is an accomplished, nationally-known western artist who was born in Texas and raised in Arizona. She grew up going to rodeos and team ropings with her father and eventually married into a ranching family. Now back in Texas, she is committed full time to her art. Her work has been chosen for posters representing several events including Santa Clarita Cowboy Poetry and Music Festival, PRCA Rodeo and “Home on the Ranch,” a tribute to ranching women.
Brown’s most recognizable collection, “The Cowgirls,” is an homage to her childhood spent in the roping arena. The series’ popularity eventually led Montana Silversmiths to use her paintings on a line of home products ranging from dishware to lamps.
According to Torvinen, working with Brown was an easy process.
“Since the very beginning, Lynn and I have been on the same page,” Torvinen reflected. “I sent her a copy of Guy Clifton’s book, Reno Rodeo: A History — The First 80 Years, and we decided to draw inspiration from an image of the first champion bronc rider, which was the perfect dedication to the 100th-year celebration.”
The limited run of 400 signed and numbered prints will be available for sale through the Reno Rodeo office.
For more information about the Reno Rodeo visit renorodeo.com.
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About the Reno Rodeo
The Reno Rodeo is a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) sanctioned sporting event, and one of the top five rodeos in North America. Reno Rodeo is a non-profit organization made up of over 500 volunteers. This year’s Reno Rodeo is scheduled for June 20-29, 2019. Competition includes bareback, team roping, saddle bronc, tie-down roping, steer wrestling, women’s barrel racing and bull riding. Like Reno Rodeo on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or for more information on the Reno Rodeo, visit www.renorodeo.com.
