Sculptor R. Scott Nickell '81

Wyoming’s West Lives On Gallery
By Rhonda Pipkin, Photo & Travel Magazine

On a pleasant stroll through the town Jackson Hole, Wyoming you'll find a fabulous artisan and Wyoming's best kept hidden treasure, at work attempting to preserve the past for future generations through the work of bronze sculpture. Artist, R. Scott Nickell, of West Lives On Gallery, artwork is certainly distinguished by the intricate bead and historical accuracy of the costume dress such as headdresses, moccasins, and other traditional beadwork worn by Native Americans or western cowboys and cowgirls of yesteryear. Mr. Nickell tediously researches his sculpture subject and takes meticulous care to extract every detail from historical documents, photographs, and museums which are both private and public collections. Interestingly, one would believe such talent should take years to develop, however, in R. Scott Nickell's case he originally worked in Texas as a geophysicist and desired to own a bronze. Upon expressing this desire he states, “My wife told me if I wanted a bronze I could learn to make my own.” For a birthday gift Nickell's wife Marsha signed him up with a bronze sculpting class in Texas and during the class he discovered his true talent! The rest is history in bronze! For more information regarding his galleries and available pieces visit his website at www.westliveson.com or call 1-307-734-2888. If I had not taken the time to walk into that quaint looking gallery, I would have missed the opportunity of a lifetime to see him at work as he sat sculpting on his latest piece (see my photo of R. Scott Nickell at work).