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David Iles – Sculptor, Conservationist and the Man Behind the Scenes

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By Judy Wade

Walking through Bolivar Bronze is like entering a combination of a fantasy land and the mad scientist’s laboratory.
In the foyer sit a beautiful bronze red tailed hawk and a crow. On one wall, frogs climb upward, and on another is a squirrel smoking a cigarette while nestled in the bib of a pair of overalls. Against the window is a wastebasket filled with miniature human skulls symbolizing wasted lives in Cambodia.

The first thing to catch your eye in the workroom is a life-size buck whose massive antlers are moss-crusted oak branches. A work in progress, his antlers will soon have colorful birds resting in them. As you look up, you see a miniature human skeleton dangling in front of a wall of various animal’s heads and horns.

In the foundry room itself, one huge vat and another smaller one wait to heat bronze or other metal to 1,500 to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit to cast and bring to life some artist’s creation. Artists bring their creations in the clay or in the wax to be turned into bronze or some other metal. “From clay or wax to the finished sculpture is a long process,” the owner explained.

David Iles, who built the foundry in Bolivar in 2008, divides his time between casting for himself and others. He has one full time assistant, Martin Iles, and calls on fellow sculptor Vincent Villafranca from Alvord when he needs more help.

After receiving his Master of Fine Art in sculpting degree from the University of North Texas in Denton, Iles ran the sculpting lab there. Many of his pieces can be seen on the UNT campus. Eighteen of his bronze animals are poised around the Environmental Education, Science and Technology Building. “Eagle Relief” in the Legacy Room of the Alumni Center is a 15-foot-wide wall relief depicting an eagle flying back to its nest over a stainless steel image of the UNT campus. Used as a fund raiser for scholarships, donors can purchase a leaf for $500 or a branch for $1,000. Iles’ most recent piece at UNT is called “Flight of the Eagle” and can be seen in the Diamond Eagle Suite.

To read more pick up a copy of the April 2017 NTFR issue. To subscribe call 940-872-5922.

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Country Lifestyles

Nominations Open for National Golden Spur and Working Cowboy Awards

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Ranching and Livestock Industries Seek Nominations for Top Awards

Nominations are now open for the National Golden Spur Award and the Ranching Heritage Association (RHA) Working Cowboy Award.

Nominations can be submitted at goldenspurhonors.com or paper forms can be downloaded from the site and mailed. Nominations for 2024 recipients will be open through May 1.

“The National Golden Spur Award is the most prestigious national honor given to one person by the ranching and livestock industries,” explained Jim Bret Campbell, executive director of the Ranching Heritage Association and National Ranching Heritage Center.  “The addition of the RHA Working Cowboy Award has allowed the industry to recognize those folks who take care of livestock on a daily basis.”

National Golden Spur Award

The National Golden Spur Award is presented in recognition of exceptional accomplishments by an individual. Established in 1978, the award has been conferred upon iconic industry leaders whose unparalleled devotion to land and livestock has earned them notable respect and admiration from their peers.

Presentation of the National Golden Spur Award is a joint annual recognition given by six of the leading national and state ranching and livestock organizations: American Quarter Horse Association, National Cattlemen’s Foundation, Ranching Heritage Association, Texas Cattle Feeders Association, Texas Farm Bureau, and Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association.

The National Golden Spur Award recipient is selected by a committee of ranching and livestock industry leaders and contributors. One recipient is chosen annually from this national pool. The winner is recognized at the National Golden Spur Award Honors event in Lubbock, Texas, and honored with the “The Rancher” bronze-sculpture presentation piece.

Ranching Heritage Association Working Cowboy Award

The Ranching Heritage Association (RHA) Working Cowboy Award recognizes outstanding individuals who make a living primarily in the saddle, caring for livestock and the land on a daily basis. The recipient must be skilled in all aspects of ranch work and respected by the ranch crew and ranching community.

The RHA Working Cowboy Award recipient is selected by a committee of ranching peers from nominations received.  One recipient is chosen annually from this national pool.  The winner is recognized at the National Golden Spur Award Honors event in Lubbock, Texas, and presented with a pair of custom spurs and a $5,000 cash award.

For additional information about the awards, past recipients, and 2024 event, visit goldenspurhonors.com.

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Country Lifestyles

100 Percent Cowboy

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By Dal Houston

A couple of weeks ago I was out of town on business, and while I was stopped at a red light, directly in front of me was a pickup with a large sticker covering the entire rear window that read, “100% COWBOY.”

As I looked at this sticker, my mind immediately began considering what this person was hoping to communicate, as opposed to what it actually communicated to me. Before getting to the heart of this story, I want to be clear that it does not affect you nor me in the least whether some person in some other community is or is not a “cowboy.” Nor does it matter whether you consider being a cowboy a good thing or a bad thing. What I find interesting about this scenario is it is an interesting example of human’s attempts to try to get attention to frame themselves in a seemingly favorable light.

To read more, pick up a copy of the March issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.

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Country Lifestyles

When a City Girl Goes Country: Bucket List Dreaming

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By Annette Bridges

I can not say sitting on a bull was ever on my bucket list, but it was fun to be reminded of the occasion. Our daughter came across this gem of a photo of her mamma when unpacking a storage box that had not been opened in many years.

Seeing the photo made me wonder if there are other daring adventures or feats I should add to my to-do list. I certainly do not believe it is ever too late to learn something new or experience something never done before.

When I think about the word dare, my first memories recall hearing it as a child. It might have been a moment when I was facing some obstacle, or a hill to climb, and a friend would exclaim, “I dare you to!”

Back in those days, hearing that exclamation would have sparked my determination to prove I could do whatever I suspected my friend, or brother, thought I could not or would not do.

To read more, pick up a copy of the March issue of NTFR magazine. To subscribe by mail, call 940-872-5922.

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