Sammy Bird created her first painting to be auctioned off at a friend’s benefit. This spirit of giving, positivity, and hope has prevailed as her career as an artist has grown. Today, Palomino Paintings by Sammy Bird can be seen at art shows, rodeos, and in homes across the West.
Discovering Her Talent
Sammy Bird shares her heart and story through colorful, detailed paintings. Most of her subject matter includes horses, and elements of her Native American culture are always represented. She also expresses her style and culture through wearable art, like hats and clothing, which have been featured in western fashion shows. Bird grew up on the Blackfeet Reservation, located in northwest Montana, and comes from a multi-generation rodeo family. Today, she balances her career as an artist with life on the rodeo road.
Bird dabbled in art projects growing up, but didn’t foresee a career as a painter. “I took high school art, but wasn’t the best one in my class,” Bird recalled.
It wasn’t until she wanted to donate something unique to a friend’s medical benefit that she discovered her talent. “In a small town you can only get so many donations, so I thought I would try to paint,” Bird shared.
Her donated painting was a hit, and soon another community member asked if she would donate a painting for another fundraiser. This soon snowballed into requests for commissions, and before Bird knew it she was making money as an artist. “I truly believe God works in mysterious ways,” she said. “It caught on like wildfire, and within a few years I was doing it almost full-time.”
She continues to donate to fundraisers, but painting is much more than a hobby now. Bird participates in western art shows, is hired for commission work, and has a regular clientele she sells paintings to.
Bird’s paintings are colorful, abstract, often large, and intricate. This style came completely from her imagination. “You do what feels right for you, and what makes you feel good,” she reflected. “Whenever I start a new painting I honestly don’t really know what I’m going to paint. I might have a general idea in my mind of what I want it to look like, but I usually start at the horse’s eye and work my way out.”
Art is ultimately the expression of the artist, and Bird wants to spread positivity. “When someone looks at one of my paintings, I want them to feel good, even if it’s just for a moment in their day,” she shared. “For me, it’s a lot of bright, vibrant colors — hopefully it brings positivity to someone.”
Bird’s handprint is one of the hallmarks of her work. Somewhere in each of her paintings you will see where she has pressed her hand into paint and imprinted it on the finished painting. She started doing this both because it represents her Native American culture, and as a unique way to sign her work. “The handprint stands for resilience,” she explained. “It also represents missing and murdered indigenous women. I started putting it on my paintings for awareness, and because it’s my own fun spin on things. Even if you don’t see it, there’s a handprint somewhere in each of my paintings.”
Beyond her handprint, Bird also includes other elements of her Native American culture in each painting. “I am very proud of where I come from, and where I’m going. I have always respected and loved where I come from, and I hope to inspire kids on the reservation who feel stuck. I want to show that if I can do it, they can too,” Bird shared.
She also shares her art through fashion. “I really got into western fashion right after college. I started creating my own pieces, and collaborating with other Native American artists. I think it’s so cool when you bring two creative minds together,” Bird said.
Rodeos have long been events where people express their style — from contestants to viewers — and fashion shows have become increasingly popular. Bird has participated in many of these, both as a model and creator. At last year’s Indian National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, Nevada, she participated in a Native American fashion show that included creators from across the country. “It was really cool to see everyone’s backgrounds come out in their fashion,” she recalled.
Bird’s business page on Facebook, Palomino Paintings by Sammy Bird, has gained a large following, and she does most of her business through this platform. While there is a lot of demand for her art, Bird has been careful to only create when she feels called to.
Photos of Bird’s paintings on social media are often accompanied by a motivational saying or short story. “I put my heart and what’s important to me into every painting I do,” she said.
Breakaway Roper Sammy Bird
Raised in Rodeo
Bird comes from a rodeo family, and has had many successes in the arena. She grew up going to rodeos, and was competing as soon as she was able. “I’ve been horseback since I was probably three years old,” she shared.
Her mother and father both competed during her youth, and Bird spent many hours in the stands before she could even walk. Early on, she started competing in the Native American Rodeo Association, and at local and regional rodeos. These rodeos are very family-oriented, including youth, adult, and senior events. “A lot of times you’ll have families that get to travel with their kids, parents, and grandparents,” Bird explained.
She also competed in high school rodeo, and went on to rope and run barrels at the college level while attending the University of Montana-Western.
Recently, Bird has been taking advantage of the addition of breakaway roping to the professional rodeo circuit. “As soon as they started including breakaway roping at pro rodeos I started competing there as well,” Bird said.
The addition of the event has been celebrated by the rodeo community, and Bird has been enjoying competing at a higher level. “It brings in contestants, brings in fans, and it’s a fast, exciting event,” she said. “It’s giving us as contestants equal money, which means everything because we travel hard, and we put just as much work in. Being included means the world. We put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears into it, so being on a stage where we can showcase that means so much.”
Rodeo has opened up Bird’s world. The Blackfeet Reservation is isolated, and opportunity can be sparse for young people. Horses, ranching, and rodeo have always been there for Bird. “Living on the reservation can be very oppressive for kids,” Bird shared. “Rodeo really played a huge role in keeping me out of trouble, giving me responsibility, goals to shoot for, ambition, and motivation. I always give a lot of credit to the rodeo way of life, and horses in general, for inspiring me to want to be better, and to want more.”
Something in the Orange – Many of Bird’s paintings are large, like this one, titled “Something in the Orange”.
The Big Picture
Bird represents her home and western culture, both through art and rodeo. She was recently featured in a Boot Barn campaign about Native American rodeo and ranching. She also has a strong online presence, sharing her style, rodeo lifestyle, and art through Instagram and Facebook.
Artists and rodeo competitors often lead similarly unconventional lives, and these two endeavors go hand-in-hand for Bird. Finding the time to paint during the busy rodeo season can be difficult, but also motivating. “It inspires me, because I know that if I’m not winning I can go home and paint,” Bird shared. In turn, her art business allows her to have a flexible career. Winter in northwest Montana puts a damper on roping, so she and her family travel south to Arizona each winter.
Bird spreads hope and positivity through her paintings, and also remains focused on the opportunity in her rodeo career. Skill is only one element of competing in rodeo, and keeping perspective on what really matters helps Bird navigate the pressure to win. “I have learned that you can’t define your happiness based on that one run. Your breakaway run does not define you, and it doesn’t show your value as a person,” she shared. “Any time I’m having a tough time I check and see where my heart posture is, and thank God for everything I do have.”
Gratitude for life guides Bird every day in and out of the rodeo arena. “It’s just so easy to have a closed mindset, but we live in such an abundant time,” she concluded. “If you want something, go after it. The worst thing that can happen is you will end up back where you were. Don’t be afraid to go out and try to do whatever you want. We live in an abundant time, and you should match your mindset to that. Be inspired, and just do what you want. Do be afraid of rejection, because rejection is just redirection.”
Article by Lilly Platts
