Curt Mattson

Man is a creator; it is intrinsic in his very being. This drive to create is one of the most compelling proofs that man, himself, has been created. For it is in the image of his Creator that he was formed. It is fitting that man, formed out of the dust of the earth, would seek to create out of the clay of the earth.

I create to bring to the world images that will encourage, excite and enrich. It is my goal to create lasting pieces that will be a constant source of joy to each collector. It is vitally important to me that my artwork be, not only accurate from a historical perspective, but also have the ingredients of truly great art, regardless of genre. My passion is the world of the buckaroo and of horsemen and horsewomen, both contemporary and historic. This is my background, combined with the love of art and of training horses. It is vitally important to me to leave a record of the buckaroo of today, and to tell the lives of the historic horseman of the West. The pieces I create allow me to share this passion. Bronze is the medium that allows such statements to be made in a tangible form. Not only the sense of sight is involved, but the sense of touch, as one views the piece in the round. The piece will enchant you afresh each time you move it. Sculpture allows me latitude that I do not have in the flat formats.

Few of us will ever know what it is like to be on horseback in country that swallows you up with its grandeur. We can only wonder about the sensations we might have as we sit on the back of a nasty bronc, fanning him to the point where the bucking ends. Imagine having a rope out, chasing after maverick cattle. Picture yourself next to your horse, cold and wet already, and the morning has just begun. These and a thousand other experiences are what the buckaroo lives. In spite of the challenges he faces today, the buckaroo understands that what he does has an important role in America’s future. He is an American icon that represents what is good in our great country. My sculpture celebrates this lifestyle.

My life has been centered around this world. To be able to bring this world to others is a great joy a privilege and a great responsibility.