Judith Mackey, long considered "The Original Flint Hills Painter" Is a leading plein air artist, not only in Kansas but nationally as well.  She has worked to promote Western Art and for the preservation and  of Chase County Kansas since the 1960's.  Her work gained much visibility with the publication of William Least Heat-Moon's book Prairy Erth in 1991, with her beautiful thunderhead painting "Chase County Kansas" gracing the cover.

     Judith Mackey finds inspiration in the rolling hills of Kansas Cattle country, the history and tradition Cottonwood Falls and The Z-Bar ranch.  Through Mackey's paintings the Tall Grass Prairie comes to life, as though you could feel the humidity of a storm rolling in, smell the smoke wafting from a burning field or catch the last glimmer of warmth from a glorious sunset.

 

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