Presentation of Leopard bronze to French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing
Award winning artist Robert Broshears captures the western spirit of "Legends of the Old West" in bronze sculpture. True West magazine voted Broshears as the "Best Western Historical Sculptor" in 2003 for his portrayal of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday. Since then he has completed western bronzes of Wild Bill Hickok, Billy The Kid, Butch & Sundance, Black Bart, and the famous rodeo cowgirl of the 20s' Mabel Strickland. Each of the gunfighters has a detailed scale replica of their actual revolvers cast in bronze or silver that is removable from the holsters. Broshears unique story telling compositions and skilled portrayals has earned him many Best of Show Bronze awards. His sculptures are held in private and corporate collections throughout the United States and Europe.His Leopard Bronze, "Spirit of The Night", was personally presented to former President of France Valery Giscard d'Estaing at the 2000 National Safari International Conference in Reno, Nevada.
Robert is a self taught artist concentrating on the creation of western subject bronze sculptures since 1991. He studied painting, design and metal casting at Olympic College in Bremerton 1973-1982. In 1992 and 1993, he studied anatomy and wildlife painting at the Jack Hines Artist workshop near Big Timber, Montana; he also attended a sculpture workshop in 1993 taught by Cowboy Artists of America Grant Speed, Joe Beeler and Mel Lawson known for their western bronze sculptures.
The accuracy and details of the bronze sculptures created by Broshears is due to his careful research and study of the early western history, his own familiarity of the firearms used, and years of personal study and photography of varied subject matter. Most of his bronze sculptures are set to a specific scale, 1/8 to 1/3, to insure accurate sizing of all parts of the sculpture. As an example, a bronze sculpture of a six footer such as Wyatt Earp scaled down 1/3 results in a sculpture 24 inches high. Studies at Olympic College and guidance from some of the great western and wildlife painters and sculptors complimented his already gifted artistic abilities. Over the years, Broshears has developed more simplified systems to build the foundation of his sculptures, allowing improved expression of motion and composition. Although most of his interest is directed toward characters of the Old West and Cowboys, his work does stray into other areas of wildlife, logging, rodeo, horses, stagecoaches, and some African subjects.
He had been a painter and cartoonist since his teen years but switched to his current passion of sculpture in 1991. He is listed in the 1980 "Who's Who in Technology" for his invention and patent of the "Drag Sled". A device used by accident investigators to measure the sliding resistance of vehicle tires, referred to as the "Drag factor" or "coefficient of friction", used in a formula to determine the speed of a skidding vehicle.
"Mabel Strickland" clay sculpture at the Hamley & Co. grand opening, Pendleton, Oregon.
In 1982, after twenty five years as an officer in the Washington State Patrol, Broshears retired and consolidated two fulltime talents, art and consulting as an accident reconstruction expert. As one of the few accident experts and instructors during his tenure with the State Patrol he was able to start a new career of investigating, reconstructing accident events, consulting, and testifying at trials. This new business also provided the time and money to invest in his art career. Western sculpture and painting is now full time. Broshears inspiration comes from many early western artists and sculptors of western subjects, but primarily that of Frederick Remington, who died December 26, 1909, 25 years to the day of Broshears' birth. The spirit of Remington guides his hand.
Sculpting "Butch & Sundance" - The Winnemucca, Nevada Bank robbery
Capturing the image of "Doc Holliday"
"Tendin The Herd" - Clay sculpture in the making. One of Broshears first major western sculptures. The 1/3 scale finished bronze has won numerous "Best of Show" awards
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Western Bronze Sculptures Robert Broshears Studio 8020 NW Holly Road Bremerton, WA 98312 STUDIO (360) 373-5780
