Virtual Art Tour

David McGary, American, born 1958

Bear's Nest

Dave McGary's first work, bucking broncos made of wax, that he created for his rodeo friends, sold when he was just 14 years old. McGary grew up on a ranch in Cody, Wyoming, riding horses, working cattle and developing a fondness for clay. While in junior high school, a teacher taught him to make jewelry using the lost wax method and McGary practiced in a small foundry his mother set up for him in her backyard in Durango, Colorado.

At the age of 16, he was chosen to go to Carrara, Italy to study with American sculptor Harry Jackson. "Because of Harry and his foundry people," McGary said, "I have the standards in my work I do today . . . . I was with him when he had that roaring fire in him and he put that fire in me and nobody can put it out. He was the one who taught me there are no limits . . . ."

McGary allows the beauty of the natural bronze color to be seen in his sculptures, using his patinas and paints to accentuate and define the exquisite detail and to create the texture found in each one.

He is an honorary member of the Dakota Sioux Indian Clan called Bear and the subject matter for his sculptures has derived from his friendship with these Native Americans. His imagery is always historically accurate and is derived from the stories of his adopted family.

McGary oversees every aspect of his art career, from production through distribution from his own studio and foundry near Ruidoso, New Mexico. He explains his creation process as, "My work is all pushed and molded and worked around until the life comes into it, until it breathes. Then you get the tools out and start making it look like it's going to blink, instead of just breathe."