Katelyn Estes used a new medium for the 2026 Congressional Art Contest but received a familiar result. The Stratford senior won the contest for Oklahoma’s Fourth District, which she also won in 2024 and received second place in 2025.
For 2026, she used charcoal powder and charcoal pencils and used a paintbrush to rub in the powder.
“I can cover more area faster than with lead or graphite,” Estes said.
The piece, entitled “Spirit of the Plains,” was inspired by all the times Estes has driven past the bison herd on Highway 19 west of Stratford. Local photographer Donny Carter gave Estes a series of reference photos to use while she drew and painted. The painting took two months to complete.
Rep. Tom Cole announced the win in a Facebook post May 8. In addition to being recognized within the district, Estes will attend the annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C.
The first time Estes won the contest, she toured the Capitol and other sites, such as the Smithsonian.
This year, when she goes, she hopes to visit the beach because, although she has been to Pensacola on the Gulf Coast, she wants to see the Atlantic Ocean.
Other recent accomplishments include winning the Oklahoma Duck Stamp contest and the Tobachi Art Show in Ada.
“She’s won everything this year,” said art teacher Shea Meyer. “She’s going to go on and do great things.
I’m pretty proud of her.”
Meyer has taught Estes since sixth grade.
“She makes me look good,” Meyer said. “I’ll miss having her in class.”
After graduation, Estes plans to continue with her art. She has created art on consignment since middle school.
“I can draw anything, but most of my clients want western-themed,” Estes said.
This fits her interests, as she has been riding horses for as long as she can remember and now participates in barrel racing. “I really like the adrenaline,” Estes said. “I can’t remember when I chose it.
I’ve always done it.”
Barrel racing has led her to meet people who have her paint things for them.
One prominent barrel-racer met Estes at an event and had her paint a horse that had been sold.
“My favorite thing to paint is horses,” Estes said. “They are so pretty and majestic. They are the prettiest thing to paint, and I like to paint my horses.”
Estes can be found on Facebook by searching “Katelyn Estes Art.”
