Pat Haptonstall was an American artist known for his contributions to the genre of cowboy art. Born in 1943 in Cedaredge, Colorado, he displayed a natural talent for drawing from an early age. His family moved to Prescott, Arizona, to help with his asthma, and it was there that his artistic pursuits truly began. By the age of sixteen, he had already won a statewide competition, receiving the Arizona Scholastic Art Exhibit Award1.
Haptonstall worked at foundries for twelve years, learning the technical aspects of creating bronze sculptures. He was largely self-taught, studying the works of past masters and continuously striving to perfect his technique. In 1980, he began to pursue his art full-time and joined the Cowboy Artists of America (CAA) in 1986.
He was an active member of the CAA for eight years, serving on various committees, participating in all the CAA shows, and attending almost every Trail Ride. Haptonstall’s work was recognized with awards, including a silver medal at his first CAA show for his bronze entitled “Settlin’ the Dust” and a gold medal in 1993 for "Simple Pleasures"1.
His legacy includes the design of a new awards medal for the CAA, which is still presented annually in gold and silver as awards for the best pieces in each mediue, Pat Haptonstall passed away in 1995, but his work continues to be celebrated and remembered within the cowboy art community