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Clark E. Bronson

Clark Bronson was born in Kamas, Utah in 1939. He creates his bronze sculpture of big game subjects in an academic realistic style. He lives in Provo, Utah and Bozeman, Montana.

Bronson, the son of a game warden, took correspondence study in art after graduating from high school. In 1959, he began to study art at the University of Utah, he soon left because he could not learn about his great interest, wildlife painting. He then apprenticed with Utah artist Arnold Friberg for three years. From 1960 to 1963 Bronson worked as an illustrator for the Utah Fish and Game Commission. He also worked as a freelance artist doing illustrations for national magazines and newspapers including Sport AfieldBoy's LifeThe Denver Post. Many of his magazine covers won national awards. 

In 1969, Bronson turned to sculpture. He has exhibited his work at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame (1973, 1974, and 1975) and at the National Sculpture Society in 1981 where he won a silver medal for a bronze sculpture. Among his notable works are Big Boys (1984), Eagle's Conquest, and Skyward Bound, the winner of a silver medal in 1977. Bronson has been a member of the National Academy of Western Artists, Society of Animal Artists, and the National Sculpture Society.

Biographical information on this page was adapted from Clark Bronson's website http://www.clarkbronson.com

Clark Bronson began studying wildlife at an early age. Familiarity gained through years of studious observation coupled with a love of animals and outstanding skill has given his art a beautiful and intricate realism that is respected and admitted by others in his profession. Arnold Friberg once said, “Clark Bronson is the best in his field.“

In 1960 Clark, began illustrating for the Utah Fish and Game Department. By 1969 he was recognized as one of the leading wildlife painters in America. Some of his covers won national awards.

Before Clark turned to sculpting, he did illustrations for the following magazines: Sport Afield, Boy's Life, National Wildlife, The Illustrator, The Denver Post, Virginia Wildlife, The Children's Friend, Wyoming Wildlife, Sunday Empire, The Ensign, South Dakota Conservation, Wildlife in North Carolina, Utah Hunting and Fishing, Colorado Dental Association, New Mexico Wildlife, Outdoor Oklahoma, Utah State Fish and Game Magazine, Colorado Outdoors, Sporting Classics and Montana Outdoors.

A national magazine printed the following: Just when Clark's career as a wildlife painter was nearing full scale, he suddenly decided to switch mediums. Putting away his brush, Bronson began sculpting. With his background in painting and his firsthand knowledge of nature, the transition was made quickly and easily. With the completion of his first sculpture, it became evident that the precision and realism for which his paintings were so known, was to take on even greater form and freedom in his work as a sculptor. Collectors began buying entire series as fast as they became available. In less that five years Clark's wildlife bronze sculptures became widely collected throughout the world. Harry Horswell of the Tryon Gallery in London said, “Clark Bronson is the greatest wildlife sculptor since the nineteenth century.“

Since Bronson started sculpting in 1969, he has done over eighty bronze pieces. Clark and Pauline have been filming wildlife and scenery for many years. In the beginning their purpose was to acquire reference material for Clark's art, but as time went on, they wanted to share their experiences in nature with others. The Bronson reference library contains hundreds of hours of extraordinary footage.

Biography courtesy Clark Bronson's web site. www.clarkbronson.com

For more information on the artist contact: info@clarkbronson.com

Newspaper Articles

"Art Canvass." The Deseret News, August 28, 1994.

"Art Canvass." The Deseret News, July 18, 1993.

"Galleries Still Awash in a Colorful Tide of Art." The Deseret News, May 7, 1990.

"Galleries." The Deseret News, January 30, 1994.

"Gallery Stroll May be Lucky Day." The Deseret News, October 8, 1989.

"Park City Galleries Use Artful Wiles." The Deseret News, September 1, 1991.

"Salon Winners." The Deseret News, May 2, 1999.

"Visual Treats Galore this Weekend at Park City's Festival, Galleries." The Deseret News, August 7, 1988.

Books

American Federation of Arts. Who's Who in American Art: 1997-1998. New Providence, NJ: Marquis Who's Who, 1997.

American Federation of Arts. Who's Who in American Art. Jacques Cattell Press, 1986.

American Federation of Arts. Who's Who in American Art. New York, NY: R.R. Bowker, 1993.

American Federation of Arts. Who's Who in American Art. R. R. Bowker Press, 1976.

Broder, Patricia J. Bronzes of the American West. New York, NY: H. N. Abrams, 1973.

Burris, Jon. National Academy of Western Art Eighth Annual Exhibition, June 7- September 7, 1980. Oklahoma City, OK: National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center, 1980.

Davenport, Ray. Davenport 's Art Reference. Ventura, CA: Davenport's Art Reference, 2001.

Dobberteen, Sara. National Academy of Western Art Sixth Annual Exhibition, June 10- September 10, 1978. Oklahoma City, OK: National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center, 1978.

Dunbier, Lonnie P., ed. The Artists Bluebook. Scottsdale, AZ: Askart.com, 2003.

National Academy of Western Art and National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center. National Academy of Western Art. Oklahoma City, OK: National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center, 1984.

Olpin, Robert S., William C. Seifrit, and Vern G. Swanson. Artists of Utah. Salt Lake City, UT: Gibbs Smith Publisher, 1999.

Opitz, Glenn B., ed. Dictionary of American Sculptors. Poughkeepsie, NY: Apollo, 1984.

Samuels, Peggy and Harold Samuels. Contemporary Western Artists. N.p.: Southwest Art Publishing, 1982.

Southwest Art. Master Index 1971-1993. Boulder, CO: Southwest Art, 1993.

Southwest Art. Red Book Price Guide to Western American Art. Houston, TX: Cowles Enthusiast Media, 1997.

Stamford Art Foundation. West Texas Rehabilitation Center; Texas Cowboy Reunion. Stamford Art Foundation Exhibit and Sale: John Selmon Memorial Gallery, July 1-4, 1974. Stamford, TX: Stamford Art Foundation, 1974.

Swanson, Vern G., Robert S. Olpin, and William C. Seifrit. Utah Paintings and Sculpture. Salt Lake City, UT: Gibbs Smith Publishers, 1991.

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