The American Hereford Association (AHA) and the Hereford Youth Foundation of America (HYFA) are humbled and excited to feature “Timeless,” a Dino Cornay original drawing, in a live auction during “The Brand” Marketing Summit, June 3, Kansas City, Mo. Proceeds for the sale will benefit education and leadership for Hereford youth as well as the Hereford Research Foundation.

“Timeless” is an original pencil drawing which effortlessly depicts the permanent stamp the Hereford breed has placed on the beef industry. The drawing brings to life a horned and polled Hereford bull with a young calf representing the generations of history and progress within the breed.

Meet the artist
The mesas and beautiful blue skies of Northeastern New Mexico are home to highly respected pencil artist, Dino Cornay. A unique storyteller, his inspiration comes from the people, livestock and land he cherishes.

A 4th generation rancher, Cornay and his family have spent nearly 150 years on the land he calls home. Not remembering which came first — holding a pencil or riding horseback working cattle with his father, Carlos — Cornay has always been fascinated with his surroundings. In junior high school, he was well-known to the janitors for his daily drawings that appeared on desktops.

With pencil still in hand, he earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Kansas State University and journeyed back home. Cornay credits some of his best education to immersing himself in daily ranch work. Being steeped in ranching and cowboy tradition his entire life has inspired Cornay to authentically portray the western lifestyle with apt attention to detail.

“My days in the classroom had their place, but I’m fascinated by my everyday surroundings,” Cornay says. “You have to truly know and live the experiences. Details and accuracy matter. It’s a sign of well-deserved respect to tell their story, and it’s my job to get it right.”

Cornay’s work has been recognized in numerous publications and he has participated in a variety of invitational shows. His is a featured illustrator in the “Cowboys Who Rode Proudly,” a book that includes several members of the Cowboy Artists of America. He was also selected as the poster artist for the National Cattleman’s Beef Association National Convention in 2003.

“Everyone can relate to the simplicity of a pencil,” Cornay says. “Yet people are amazed when they see what can be done with one. It’s just awesome.”

Sale information
Most all of Cornay’s originals are spoken for by private collectors before completion — however, he is excited to partner with the AHA and the HYFA to offer this original piece via live auction.

The offering will take place the evening of June 3 at Howl at the Moon in the Kansas City Power and Light District. In addition to the original framed drawing, the offering will include two giclée prints — a process which allows for the best possible reproduction of the original masterpiece.

The live auction also boasts a variety of other hand-crafted items, including an AHA-branded leather director’s chair, a custom leather director’s chair, an AHA-branded Hereford hide and — in tune with the conference theme — an AHA branding iron.

For more information about the sale, please contact Joe Rickabaugh at 785-633-3188 or Amy Cowan at 816-218-2256.

The Hereford Youth Foundation of America is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit. Its mission is to support scholarship, education and leadership activities within the Hereford breed. For more information about the HYFA, visit HerefordYouthFoundation.org or contact the AHA at 816-842-3757.