Jolee French is a professional western artist located in Waco, Texas. French uses oil and watercolor to create paintings of wildlife, the outdoors, and the western way of life. She fell in love with riding from the seat of her great-uncle’s saddle and spent many summers during her college years guiding trail rides in the Smokey Mountains. Today French finds inspiration right outside her home studio’s windows where her two horses and four donkeys can be seen.

 French’s main desire as an artist is to share the western world with others who, like her, weren’t born into it. When she creates a piece, she wants it to be enjoyed by the experienced ranch hand and city-slicker alike. As a female artist, French particularly enjoys featuring women as subjects in her paintings. She celebrates cowgirls, portraying them in their strength, capability, and knowledge.

French became serious about painting as a teenager. But the hobby quickly grew into something more once she began selling watercolor pet portraits. After graduating from Lamar University with a bachelor’s in business management, she worked an office job for a few months. It didn’t take long for her to realize a cubicle was not going to be a good fit. With encouragement from her husband, French decided to go full-time as an artist. She has had success in showing, competing, and selling. But the most rewarding part of the journey so far for French has been the community she’s found with other artists.