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Show Grant Speed Magazine features artist Grant Speed, Liiidon artist , is the subject of a feature article in the MayJune issue of "Art West," a magazine devoted to outstanding Western and wildlife art. , The article details Speed's long and frequently arduous trek from his early vocation as a cow puncher in West Texas, to his present-day gifted accomplishments in bronze sculpture. . As Diane Ciarloni Simmons, wn0 wrote the story, relates, Speed has been, at various times in his life a rodeo contender, a teacher, a working cowboy, a student, and a sculptor of Western art. It is in this last pursuit that Speed has truly distinguished himself, but all of these callings have contributed to make the man, and have contributed to the core, the heart, of his work. Speed claims that heredity has had a part in his artistic make-up. His family descends from James Speed, an old-time British map maker, and there are still Speeds in England who are professional artists. It is the pursuit of this talent, asserts Speed, that differentiates him from other members of his family in West Texas, who haven't followed through with their god-given gifts of artistic expression. This "Art West" article relates, at length, Grant Speed's experiences with breaking horses and punching cows. He started out early, at the age of twelve, working at his Uncle Boone's ranch on the Pecos River. Over the course of some ten years, he hired out to ranches from Texas to Wyoming to Arizona, also serving in the Air Force in 1948, 1949, and 1951. In 1952, at the age of twenty-two, Speed found himself on a ranch at Water Valley, Texas, and it dawned on him that the road through life that a cowboy carved was a pleasant one but it lead nowhere for him. Speed, a Mormon, headed for Utah and Brigham Young University, where he settled on a major in animal science. Even then, although he was doing some sketching and clay modeling, he never seriously considered studying art. It was inconceivable to him that he could make a living at it. Along with his studies at BYU, Speed became an avid participant in the National Intercollegiate Rodeo competitions, often walking away from the arenas with honors. In 1957, however, Spt! was injured rather badly while riding a bronc, and soon, the responsibilities of a wife and child indicated a need to settle down and make a living. After working for five years as a grade-school teacher in Roosevelt ,and Salt lake City, Grant Speed came to another crossroads this time, his ultimate one. Artistic yearnings were still tugging at him, and the artist realized that he had to give it everything that was in him with "blood and sweat and tears." For approximately eight years, Speed taught during the day and worked on his art all night. He laughingly, relates that he's quite certain he didn't sleep for those eight years! "Saddles to Sculptures," the title of this "Art West" feature, then relates Speed's marvelously happy ending to this searching journey. Speed's very first bronze cast sold with a flourish, and soon afterwards, he was accepted as a meml)er of the prestigious Cowlxy Artists of America, and has served as its president. At exhibition after exhibition, his stunning bronze have sold out on their respwlive opening nights. In 1970, Speed inaugurated his first "vignette" in the sculpture Ridin' Point. This piece incorporated the traditional bronze bust, with a "vignette" of cattle in miniature at the base. The late painter, Robert Jugheed, called Ridin Point a new concept in sculpture. Speed has not been content to rest on his laurels, and has continued to create a body of impressive work. Speed relates, "My strongest subject in terms of my work has been the cowboy, but, again, it's what I know." To look at the reproductions of his work in "Art West's" pages, is to be convinced that he knows this intimately. "Art West" is published bimonthly in Bozeman, Montana. Cowboy artist DEREK HORMAN trys his hand at the fun new art form called shrink art. The child draws a picture on a ., piece of plastic, and when the 'plastic is baked in an oven for a few minutes, it shrinks the entire piece of art. The kids loved it. ' , ' ' , - .f' , . 1 J ' ' - --- i Jf t '. . . t .... 4. I V" - ' j t ' s . : - y ? i J ' S i j f " ..-"' 'V " v ' . - J - 1 . - : ' ; ' -j , : I 1 -' 'Hs' ' ' ' , |