An artist’s inspiration comes from many places. Curt’s inspiration comes from his life working on ranches and breaking horses from California to Alberta Canada.

Curt says, “Western art is a uniquely American Art form. My background with ranching and horses is what inspires me. Whether it is a contemporary buckaroo or one of my historical pieces, it is the nobility and challenge of the life in the West that is of inspiration. These people are in many ways unsung heroes and their lives reflect what it is to be the quintessential American. Sculpture, by its mass and permanence demands subjects and compositions that are worthy of it. That is what I try to do. To let the viewer experience a life or event in a deeper sense.”

Curt’s work has received many awards, pages in fact of honors too numerous to list here, but we will mention just the latest two:

“The Hoolihan Man” (shown above) received the Frank C. Wright Jr. Medal of Honor from the American Artists Professional League 2007 at the 79th Grand National Exhibition, in New York.

At the 31st annual National Western Art Exhibition in San Dimas, CA, he was honored with 3 awards: Festival Choice ~Purchase Award and the Gold medal for Sculpture for “Two Old Pro’s” and Best of Show for “Short End of a Long Rope”.

As Curt says, “I have only two skills, starting colts and sculpture. Sculpture and its tactilness, permanence and mass truly draw me like no other medium. I want my art to be of true excellence and to speak to others of the greatness of the American West and the people that live here.”

Visiting with the Mattson’s is a great experience. Take the time to talk with them and stay to admire this inspirational sculpture that so captures the people and trials of the West. You can also get the full list of all those awards and honors.