2013 Calgary Stampede poster unveiled!

CALGARY — A simple cowboy depicted in black, white and grey paint will be the portrait that represents the Calgary Stampede for next year.

Painted by Duke Beardsley, the 2013 Calgary Stampede poster was unveiled Wednesday night at the BMO Centre at Stampede Park.

The oil painting portrays a single cowboy riding a horse, his lasso ready to capture an unsuspecting animal.

The cowboy depicted is based on Vern Lonsberry, a veteran Alberta cowboy.

“I hope that I managed a good representation of the 100,000 other cowboys,” Lonsberry said.

The OH Ranch, recently donated to the Calgary Stampede Foundation, was also an influence on the painting.

Beardsley, a sixth generation rancher from Colorado, said he was thrilled to be apart of the project.

“It’s a combination of the portrait of Vern and the celebration of the working cowboy that hopefully embodies the spirit of the OH Ranch,” he said, adding the project took about three months to complete.

The original artwork will be on display at the Western Oasis room at the BMO Centre until July 12, when it will be sold by auction.

Source: Calgary Herald