Today we’d like to introduce you to Monte Michener.
Monte, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I grew up on a horse farm in rural Minnesota. I started riding, bareback, at the age of five. I moved into English riding in my early teens, showing hunter/jumpers extensively in our area. Training green Thoroughbreds in dressage and eventually jumping is how I spent most of my time as a young man. It was a dream to train, ride and show these powerful ex-racehorses. Little did I know this would be my apprenticeship for sculpting later in my life.
In college, I stumbled into the work of Deborah Butterfield, I was so impressed by the simplicity of her work and her ability to capture the essence of the horse, I told myself, one day, I would try to create my own version of Equus. The seed had been planted. A move to Colorado, years working as a massage therapist and then home renovator/investor filled my life until 2012 when the seeds of inspiration finally germinated. I’m gathering driftwood at our local lake and create my first wall hanging bust.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s really been a pretty smooth road. I’m blessed as an artist. I’ve chosen a subject matter I trust and feel passionate about, this leads to connectivity with other horse-loving people, who are also passionate and share a common interest in Equus. One of my favorite parts about being an artist, getting to know my customers through there own love of horses and the stories that go with this connection. This just seems to break the ice, as this sharing creates comfort, relatability and excitement. I love being excited with my customers.
The challenge continues to be growing as an artist and improving my craft. Capturing the uniqueness of each piece, including anatomy, temperament, scale and expression, is my highest goal. There is some creative tension in this. I approach a piece without an agenda, allowing the essence of the horse to come through, I surround myself with driftwood of all shapes and sizes, hoping something will happen, sometimes it goes really well, other times, not as well, Pushing through this and staying loose is challenging, but immensely rewarding when I get good results.
We’d love to hear more about your art.
I’m a full-time artist. My focus is on driftwood horse sculptures. I’ve also made bear, mule deer, bighorn and buffalo works. I also design/build unique furniture and create large bold abstracts. Many of my creations are created from reclaimed materials. I spent 15 years in the construction industry, which is full of waste of useable materials, leftover from construction. I became obsessed with repurposing the materials and also the reuse of other materials commonly thrown away.
The devastating flood of 2013 in Estes Park, created tons and tons of debris I collected and turned some of this into life-size horse sculptures, attempting to transform the event into something different, then being destructive. Another recent example, a local touring company donated there used mountain bike tires. They sat, stacked up in the corner of my studio for two years, until one day, I came up with an idea on how to create manes/tails for my sculptures. I now take all there used tires and keep them out of the landfill.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I’m expanding my subject matter In 2020 and focusing more on interior driftwood pieces. I will also be experimenting with steel sculptures later in the year, incorporating rebar, scrap steel and river stones into my design. Like most artists, I enjoy learning and experimenting with new materials. I’m excited to pursue this new direction in my art!!!
Contact Info:
- Website: equuscreations.net
- Phone: 970-581-8695
- Email: equuscreations.net
- Facebook: Monte Michener
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