Cowboy Country was award-winning western personality and rodeo funny man Ash Cooper’s first foray into Television, and just like everything else in his life he wanted to excel at it. And he has, winning Best Host – Male at the 2007 AMPIA Awards.

The personable cowboy simply couldn't decide whether he wanted to be an athlete, an artist, a TV personality or a full time rancher… so he chose to do them all full time!

That may be because Ash is as comfortable facing bulls in the rodeo arena as he is creating his special brand of art in his studio, and as comfy on horseback as he is in front of the camera.

When folks question him about his unusual career path, he offers this ready response: "What I do for a living is not crazy. Crazy is if someone were to break into your home and iron all your clothes!"

"I couldn't take sitting in front of an easel year-round; it wasn't rough enough for me," he states matter-of-factly. TV Personality, Clowning and Cartooning are a winning combination for Cooper. "My work on Cowboy Country, artwork and rodeoing complement each other." he says. "I'm able to draw from a never-ending amount of ideas as I'm immersed in the cowboy culture all year round and the TV gig has exposed me to people all across Canada, besides, something has to pay the bills… ranching certainly doesn’t”.

Cooper's witty cartoons are regularly featured in Canadian Cowboy Country magazine and his limited edition graphite prints, pen and ink and watercolor paintings have garnered international acclaim.

Cooper has no plans to give up all of his chosen careers. "I love to travel and make people laugh so it's the perfect combo. After all, what can't I get away with being an artist and a clown?"