Phase one: The beginning of the monument...designing the armature construction

It took about  8 hours to draw this sketch. It isn't just a simple drawing. It  is the fundamental beginning of the monument. It is a construction sketch of the armature which is the support for the clay sculpturing.

The armature is made of re bar and metal pipe. I will weld it together in the foundry studio in a little building outside of my house in Tetonia Idaho.

Watch for phase two....The welding! Beginning this project is a worthy project because the end result will be known world wide. Dave is coming to life! I am happy to be finally begin this project!

Davey Jackson won't let me sleep.

The long gone Mountain Man. Davey Jackson. The name sake of Jackson Hole Wyoming.

Many years ago, with clattering hoofs of horses, a mountain man and his small pack train came wandering down  the Gos Venture  canyon in the year of 1822. Stopping on a ridge, the ol' trapper reigned up his horse and standing up in his stirrups placed  his hand over his brow. "My my, what a wonder!" He exclaimed, gazing across the proud vista of the Teton mountain range. The glistening sun sparkled on the river with tributaries feeding through the sagebrush meadows, blending into the mighty Snake River.

This world famous river was named by earlier visitors, the Shoshone,  Blackfoot, Cro, and Nez Perce Indians. Ol' Davey Jackson had found his trappin's. For many years the husky bearded trapper would visit this God given haven. In later years the other associates of the fur trade would pay their respects to the bounties of this place which many called Jackson's Hole. A valley surrounded by mountains, the name took root and has given the same thrill to visitors throughout the world. Jackson Hole has had miles of film and volumes of photo albums collected fro family treasures. Spreading the wonders of this magnificent valley to many who want to call it home. The mountains stand ever guarding and watching the comings and goings of the travelers, dignitaries , and movie production  companies, as it once watched the trappin's and life of  mountain man, Davey Jackson.

I have been drawn to Davey  for quite some time now. The other night I awoke out of a sleep hearing the words clear as day "Wake up Davey Jackson!" This was a voice commanding me to wake up this sleeping giant of a mountain man! How can I ignore that? I can't. Not anymore.

Thus my plan to immortalize him through a bronze statue. There isn't one of him anywhere in the world. He founded one of the most famous places on earth and there isn't a memorial. That is not okay with me and I don't think it is okay with his posterity.

I shared this story with a good friend and inspired relative, Mark Peterson, as we traveled through Jackson Hole and he has been reminding me of it ever since.

Well, Mark and my old friend Davey, I'm begining the intial stages of the bronze statue tommorow.

It all starts with a sketch....

Wait until you see what I'm up to now!!!!

David E. Jackson, mountain man and trapper, the namesake of Jackson Hole, later named Davey Jackson by his trapper friends. His favorite trapping grounds was a basin surrounded by mountains, rivers and streams, and was an  excellent hunting and trapping area,  later named by his fellow trappers as "Jackson's Hole". An area surrounded by mountains was named by trappers of that era to be a "hole".

Here is my challenge as an older artist! To recreate my old friend, Davey Jackson, for all the world to see. I will take you along on this journey with me. I did this once already, you know.

Many years ago I created this piece in  the famous town of Jackson Hole itself. The piece was too large and never finished. The desire to recreate it has burned in my heart ever since.

Join me on this adventure by following the creation process through my blog, as I tribute the  famous Davey Jackson.


Here is the original study of the monument I want to make of Davey Jackson. I made this smaller bronze about 1986 in my younger years. It is 13 inches tall. I do have some castings still available for those interested.

Much to the dismay of my associates I have very few pictures of myself sculpting. But here is one for you to enjoy. I am sculpting Beaver Dick Lee, first settler of  Teton Basin. settled with his Shoshone Indian wife, Jennie Lee, and their five children. She raised those children in a tee pee in the Teton Mountain Range. I am currently writing a book about Jennie Lee of the Tetons. More information to come on that topic!

 I find these people fascinating! I can't wait to take you on their journey's with me.

OLD EPHRIAM

This is the favorite and most popular creation of my carreer.Tthe limited oedition of 1000 copies sold out.

This new smaller  print comes with the true story of Frank Clark and Jenny the border collie. and the battle scene  that took place in 1923 at the black fork of logan canyon,  A great conversation piece now available for $50. framed and signed by me..