about Carl E. Jensen

Sculptor of Pioneer Cowboy and Horse

Mr. Jensen does not have a web site explaining and illustrating his talents as an artist and sculptor. The following is taken from his brochure which he sent to me after inviting me to his home (part of Wyoming hospitality).

Carl E. Jensen

The goal of every artist is to get the viewer to identify with his work. Sculptor and painter Carl E. Jensen has done just that. Having grown up on a Montana ranch and having known the hardships and happiness of rural America, he has the insight and compassion that shows so much of his works.

At nineteen, Carl went to the U.S. Air Force where he spent four years traveling and going to school, studying art when ever he had the chance and painting a record of his travels. When he returned to Montana the home ranch was being run by his brother and finding there was no chance for himself there, he went to work for the Boeing Company. He worked, traveled and went to school at night, studying art in many different colleges and universities across the West and Midwest.

In 1974 Carl returned to the land, farming and ranching north of Wheatland, Wyoming. This was compatible with his art, giving him the winter months to do his art and late falls to study his inspirations.

Carl made a life-size bronze dog to watch over his parents at Lewistown, Montana's cemetery. At Lewistown's fairgrounds he created a life-size work horse. He has a life-size horse and rider at the state fair grounds in Douglas, Wyoming. For Thermopolis, Wyoming he created a horse and standing cowboy and individuals representing each branch of the military. For the Fred Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids, Michigan he created a life-size work horse and numerous other sculptures. He has sculptures scattered throughout the world.

On another panel of his brochure it states:

When driving through Wyoming, come visit Carl E. Jensen at his home. He will give you a tour through his studio and let you view sculpture in its various stages before being bronzed. He's in the phone book, the welcome mat is out and the coffee pot is always on.

See also Pioneer Cowboy and Horse.

link: index to photographs

Pioneer Cowboy and Horse

Tourism plays an important role here. The downtown is attractive and invites visitors to take out their cameras.

The bronze Pioneer Cowboy and Horse can be seen on Broadway Street (Highway WY-120) at 6th Street (Highway US-20). Most of these photographs were taken just before sunset.

The statue was designed by sculptor Carl Jensen of Wheatland, Wyoming. "The cowboy is depicted sifting dirt through his hands, standing beside his quarterhorse." (29 June 2000 Independent Record, the Thermopolis weekly newspaper)

The theme is, "From this soil come the riches of the world."
"The soil theme was chosen because of its relationship to many of the forces behind the development of Thermopolis: farming, ranching, mining and minerals and now fossils."

"According to Jensen, the man weighs 250-300 pounds and was modeled after a picture of [Allen 'Butch'] Schweighart [who spearheaded the statue effort]. Ten pieces were cast, then welded together to create the piece."

"The horse weighs about 1,500-2000 pounds, bears Jensen's brand and is modeled after one of his favorite horses."

According to Carl Jensen, "The 88-bar brand is an old one from southeast Wyoming, and was used by McFarland in territorial times." (phone conversation)

"The wide area on both sides of the base ... feature[s] livestock brands from area ranches, the black letters etched in corian. Each of the 138 brand owners paid $100 to have the brand listed."

"Small details, such as buttons and the functional spurs were enhanced during casting through use of a special silicon bronze compound. The varied shades for skin tones, clothing and leather were created using acid washes."

Click on these pictures to enlarge them.

See also Broadway Street businesses and corner of Broadway and 5th.

See also Centennial Flag Pole.