Painter of the American West
Art has always been the lens through which Vicki Pedersen sees the world. Even as a child in Utah, she realized she perceived light, form, and emotion differently—an awareness that first surfaced in fifth grade when she recognized that her drawings stood apart from those of her classmates. From that moment, creating art became not just a pursuit but an intrinsic part of her identity.
Life, however, has a way of shaping an artist through unexpected paths. A few years after high school, she married her high school sweetheart, and together they built a life in Utah, balancing careers in healthcare with raising three children. Their summers, however, were anything but ordinary. The backcountry of Wyoming’s Gros Ventre wilderness became a second home—a place of deep connection to the land, to horses, to the raw and untamed American West. Those summers, spent working with at-risk youth, horses, and environmental scientists, left an imprint on her soul. Jackson Hole’s art galleries became her sacred spaces, where she absorbed inspiration and affirmed her artistic calling. This is where she discovered her passion for Western art.
During these years in Utah, Vicki took on numerous portrait commissions, capturing the essence of her subjects in charcoal, pencil, and pastels. At the hospital where she worked, though her job was outside the clinical setting, she found a way to contribute artistically—painting large murals in patient care areas, offering beauty and solace to those in need. With the encouragement of an understanding boss who was also the CEO, she was able to leave her mark in a special place that meant so much to her.
Capturing the Spirit of the West
A move to Ohio marked a turning point—here, for the first time, she immersed herself in art full-time. Later, her husband’s job led them to relocate to Southern California, where she entered the world of real estate. Though this career sustained her, art remained the undercurrent, always calling her back. Over the years, the pull became undeniable, and with the unwavering support of her husband, she transitioned fully into painting once again.
Vicki’s artistic journey has led her to major invitational exhibitions, including Cowgirl Up! 2024 at the Phippen Museum in Prescott, AZ, and the Woolaroc Invitational at the Woolaroc Museum in Oklahoma. She will be participating in the 2025 Hold Your Horses Invitational Exhibition at the Phippen Museum. She and several fellow members of Women Artists of the West have partnered with The Woolaroc Museum for a year long Western art exhibition at Tulsa International Airport. Recognition has followed—her work has received accolades such as Best Narrative at a Women Artists of the West national exhibition and Best Use of Light and Color at the National Oil
Jackson, Wyoming. She is a Signature Member of Women Artists of the West and an Artist Member of the California Art Club, an achievement that holds deep meaning for her.
For the past decade, Vicki has worked almost exclusively in oils, drawn to the richness and depth of the medium. Her heart belongs to the American West—to its cowboys, cowgirls, Native Americans, and the vast landscapes that hold their stories. Wild horses, in particular, have become a focus of her work, inspired by time spent in Utah’s deserts observing their untamed spirit and photographing them.
She considers herself a “perpetual art student,” continuously refining her craft through study and experience. She has learned from remarkable artists such as Richard Stergulz, Chad Poppleton, Grant Redden, Charles Dayton, William Schneider, and Joseph Todorovich, each leaving an indelible influence on her artistic evolution.
When she isn’t at her easel, she is in motion— traveling, sketching, photographing, studying, and immersing herself in the land that fuels her creativity. She believes that art is not just about technique but about connection—to subject, to audience, to something greater than oneself. Her hope is that those who view her work will feel the soul of the American West, not just see it.
Website: www.vickipedersen.com