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NATIONAL PROJECTS

 

Stream Side Companions graces the front of the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport. With southwest Montana being a fly fishing mecca and Labs, being one of the more popular breeds in the state, it made sense to create a piece of art sharing these common themes. 

 

With my fondness of Labs and fly fishing, I didn’t have a problem finding the inspiration for this sculpture.  I often take our yellow Lab, McKenzie, fishing with me - she is like a bull in a china shop on the river.  But, the challenge of keeping her from chasing trout and out of my fly line, is well worth her great companionship.

 

 

Jim Bridger King of the Mountain Men  lived much of his life in the Rocky Mountains as a trapper, explorer and guide.  Three of his more significant accomplishments include the exploration of Yellowstone Park, discovery of the Great Salt Lake and building of Fort Bridger in Wyoming.  Many landmarks bare the name of this famous mountain man.  This monumental sculpture is in front of the Bozeman Chamber of Commerce building.

 

Chief Morning Star was the famous Chief of the Northern Cheyenne tribe.  He was also given the name, Chief Dull Knife, after a horrific battle with a grizzly bear which he killed with only his knife.  During my research, I spoke with Chief Morning Star’s great, great, great, great granddaughter, Dolly Rockroads.  She provided me with valuable information about him.  This sculpture stands in front of Bozeman’s Morning Star School.

Birth of the Labrador represents this versatile breed that was first used by British fishing fleets off the Newfoundland coast in the 1500 and 1600’s.  These “fishing dogs" would retrieve cod that escaped from the primitive hooks on the surface near their boats, called dories.  

 

This sculpture, commissioned by DuckHill Kennels, known for their superb British Labradors, is in the collection of Queen Elizabeth II, Duke of Buccleuch and Ducks Unlimited National Headquarters in Memphis, Tenn.  

 

Gray’s Sporting Journal selected this bronze for the inside back cover of the Nov/Dec. 2014 issue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Charlie’s Grouse was created for the C. M. Russell Museum in Great Falls, Mont.  The sculpture depicts the ruffed grouse in the foreground of Charlie Russell’s famous elk painting, The Exalted Ruler.  Monies raised from the sales of this bronze went towards the $1.1M the Museum needed to purchase the large oil painting from the Great Falls Elks Club.  The Exalted Ruler now hangs in the C. M. Russell Museum, its permanent home.

 
Dog Days of Summer was given as an award by American Angler Magazine to the nation’s top fly fishing shop (2002 - 2008).  The trophy is called the Fly Fishing Retailer of the Year Award.
Treasures in the Pines was sculpted in honor of the late William McAfee, a dedicated Southern Georgia sportsman and conservationist. The sculpture symbolizes the preservation of wild bobwhite quail.  This sculpture is in the collection of National Quail Unlimited Headquarters in Albany, Ga.  It was also used for the Quail Unlimited 2013 Conservation Celebrity Hunt trophy.  
 
 
Cattle Drive was created for the Spanish Peaks Club in Big Sky, Montana.  It is the golf trophy for their annual Cattle Drive golf tournament.     
 
 
Gray’s Sporting Journal Best Awards are given by Gray’s Sporting Journal every year (1998 – present) to the world’s top sporting gear and apparel companies.      
 
 
Montana Chief was commissioned by the late Jimmy Spotted Eagle, the last full blooded Blackfoot Chief (his Indian name, Pita-get-stip-ah-me). Learning the Blackfoot culture and creating this sculpture was one of my more memorable projects. From his home, on a bluff overlooking Badger Creek, near Heart Butte, Montana, one can still see the tipi ring stones from ancient Blackfoot encampments.     

 

Eminent Son was the colt of one the world’s most famous thoroughbred stallions in the history of modern day horse racing – Triple Crown winner, Secretariat.  A year after completing this commission, Eminent Son, was killed by lighting on the Northern Montana ranch, where he lived.​​​​​​​​

 

 

Home Safely was created for the Gallatin National Forest Service and was given as a safety award for a selected forest fire fighter in Montana (2007 - 2011).  The sculpture displays the fire fighter’s apparel and equipment and symbolizes their safe return home.
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Saw Varsity’s Horns Off was commissioned by Texas A & M School of Law.  The Texas A & M Aggies and the University of Texas Longhorns had a college football rivalry every year between 1915 and 2011, until A&M left the Big 12 Conference to join the Southeastern Conference.

 

This lying down longhorn steer, with his cut off horns, laying at his feet, represents the monumental victory on November 19, 1915, when the Aggies defeated the Longhorns 13 - 0. 

 

The Nose Knows, an English setter bust, represents the 2013 and 2014 U.S. National Champion, Shadow Oak Bo from southern Georgia.  This incredible dog is the first English setter to win the National title in 43 years and the only setter to win back to back titles since 1902.  

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