Artistic talent cannot be taught; rather it is birthed by a passion that lies deep within the heart and soul. There is no more shining example of this truism than reflecting on the prolific oeuvre created by Arizona-based sculptor Bill Nebeker during an amazing career that has spanned nearly four decades.
Born November 13, 1942, in Twin Falls, Idaho, Nebeker’s early values were shaped by life in the small ranching and farming community. Although he spent many youthful hours whittling images of dogs, horses, miniature saddles, and even small sailing ships from unused wood he found on the family farm, he simply looked on this pursuit as a hobby.
Bill Nebeker (Arizona)
The Wonder of it All
Bronze
26″H x 16″W
“America and cowboys: The words are synonymous. The cowboy has been the symbol of American independence, individuality, self-determination, the work ethic, and ‘his word is his bond’ for more than 150 years. They gained notoriety during the great longhorn cattle drives across the West and became heroic figures because of those exploits. Opening up the West for settlement gave the cowboy freedom to pursue his dreams of owning land, and he worked hard to secure those dreams. I wanted to honor this cowboy, who stands in awe, overlooking the grandeur of his ranch, as he gives thanks to the good Lord for life, liberty, the land, and his family. This rancher remembers the generations before him who worked hard, raised the cattle, and helped build America into the greatest nation on earth—and he ponders the wonder of it all.”
Bill Nebeker (Arizona)
The Eyes of Texas
Bronze
34″H x 19″W
“This Texas ranger is carrying his ½ seat, double rigging saddle with a Cheyenne roll, developed by J.S. and G.H. Collins of Wyoming, and his Henry rifle. The legendary Texas Rangers date back to 1823, when Stephen Austin called for 10 men to protect new Texas settlers from Indian raids. By 1835 the rangers were required to supply their own horses, saddles, and firearms. This ranger is not wearing the ‘famous’ 5-star badge because, prior to the 1890s, no official badges were issued, but some created their own from $5 Mexican pesos. Their legend grew after 1873, when they captured desperados like Sam Bass and John Wesley Hardin and won decisive victories over Kiowa, Comanche, and Apaches. With low and sporadic pay, some rangers hired on to cattle drives from Texas through Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming. It was said that a Texas Ranger could, ‘Ride like a Mexican, trail like an Indian, shoot like a Tennessean, and fight like the devil and, if you were wanted for a crime, they were the eyes of Texas.”
