Wheatgrass Artists of the Month: Audra Cornwell Ortega and Elizabeth Shipstead

Audra Cornwell Ortega, a fourth generation Valley County ranch family, is a ranch wife and mother of two. Audra grew up on the family ranch near Glasgow and educated in Hinsdale, MT. In 2012, she married Mike Ortega and together they continue the tradition of family ranching.

In 2014, Audra was gifted a digital Canon camera. Her passion for photographing the daily and seasonal chores and pleasures of ranch life was born. Today, Audra is driven to share with others the life she leads as seen through her own eyes. She wants to share with others what she sees every day, the pushing calves up the chute, feeding hungry herds in the snowy cold, or watching her child dawdle innocently around the horses. She also attempts to document the entwining of the traditional with the changes made through today's technologies. Through her photography, Audra captures the enthusiasm and love of ranch life that she that was instilled in her through her parents and she is continuing to instill in her family.

Elizabeth Shipstead is a Farm wife, Momma, and Occupational Therapist. She and her husband Odin, who is originally from Scobey, moved from Great Falls to north of Nashua in 2010 to start farming their relative's farms when they retired. They have 2 little girls who keep them very busy. Elizabeth works two days a week at the school in Poplar and helps with farm operations whenever she can.

Elizabeth loves to take pictures of their everyday life including farming, horses, gardening and of course her girls! Through her photography and writing she desires to share rural farm life and encourage and support other rural women. You can find more of Elizabeth's photos and writing at theruralsisterhood.com.

Ranch Wives, Ranch Lives will be on display at The Wheatgrass Arts and Gallery February 7-29. Reception for Audra and Elizabeth will be held on Friday, February 7, 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Gallery, 531 2nd Ave. So. In Glasgow.