Let me introduce myself as your 2025 ACPG poster artist. My name is Brenda Krueger, born and raised in Hollister, San Benito County, California, as part of a multi-generational orchard farming family. I grew up working the land with my dad, but my love has always been horses. I started drawing at an early age, with horses always my favorite subject.

Although I pursued a career in graphics for some twelve years directly out of high school, at age 22 I married a cowboy, and that was “all she wrote.”  I have had the privilege of living on some great ranches, such as the Quien Sabe Ranch in San Benito County. While there, I was able to ride exceptional horses from the O RO Ranch and also gained quite a bit of experience living and working at a large ranch in Weed, CA.

But it was my second husband, the model for my ACPG poster submission, who encouraged me to go professional with my artwork. I had started taking photos from my ranch life to my graphics work and had them made into limited edition prints and note cards. For several years I participated in Cowboy Art and Gear Shows throughout the Central California area. Our local rodeo, the San Benito County Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo, used my artwork several times for their rodeo posters. That success prompted me to consider art as a career.

I work primarily in graphite, but I enjoy adding colored pencil to highlight detail. I’ve drawn everything from houses to airplanes; but horses, dogs, and people are my preferred subjects. Cowboys have their own unique styles—hats, clothing, gear—and I love capturing those in my artwork.  People say cowboys are a dying breed. I disagree. Long live the cowboy.