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A STAR IN THE WESTERN ART WORLD
Jim Stuckenberg was born in 1943
completely deaf. Even though he has never heard a sound in his life
he has not let it stop him from accomplishing anything he wants. He
is an animal lover and world renowned bronze artist. While Jim was
in college at Fresno State University getting his Bachelor of
Science degree in Animal Husbandry and Art, he worked on several
large ranches breaking horses to ride. During college Jim was on the
Fresno State Rodeo Team participating in both bull riding and bronc
riding, in his last year of college he finished 3rd in the West
Coast Bull Riding standings. Jim has always loved animal and nature.
In the early 70's Jim started racing quarter horses and
thoroughbreds and is still racing to this day winning over 80 races
and breaking many track records across the west coast. Jim’s art is
collected by collectors all over the world. And is one of the most
accomplished artists of this time. Some of his collectors include:
the late President Ronald Reagan, Terry Bradshaw, Prince Shalman of
Saudi Arabia, Jimmy Rogers (son of Will Rogers), The Hearst Family,
King Ranch, Fess Parker, Wayne Lucas, and Prim minister of India,
Gandhi, to name a few. This is just a portion of collectors. Jim has
done many shows such as the Phippen Cowboy Art show where he’s won
1st place and his art has been exhibited in museums such as Cowboy
Hall of Fame and Gilcrease museum. This is just the start of Jims’
incredible life. To learn more view Jim's full biography here.
JIM STUCKENBERG is one of those rare individuals who makes life
more beautiful for those he comes in contact with.
Ronald Reagan Portrait
Born completely deaf, this animal lover and natural horseman
attended the Central Institute for the Deaf in St. Louis, MO, where
he learned to lip read and studied speech. He later transferred and
graduated from Fresno State University with a Bachelor of Science
degree, majoring in Animal Husbandry and Art.
As a member of the Fresno State Rodeo Team, he participated in both
bull riding and bronc riding, finishing third in the West Coast Bull
Riding standings. Between college semesters, Jim experienced the
challenge of wild mustangs while pursuing, roping and breaking these
magnificent animals. Jim has also trained quarter horses and
thoroughbreds professionally at a few large horse farms, and was
licensed to train and run quarter horses and thoroughbreds on Pari
Mutual Tracks in California. You can see from his work that Jim
draws on these life experiences and "PAINTS FROM THE SEAT OF HIS
PANTS."
It was during his last year at Fresno State that he made his first
sculpture. Since then, he has sought to reach the artistic heights
of his idol, Charles Russell. (Ironically, one of Russell's kin is
the proud owner of some of Stuckenberg's paintings.) Stuckenberg's
work has graced the covers and appeared in the pages of many leading
western magazines. Two of his paintings adorned the office of former
President Ronald Reagan in Washington D.C. He was later enlisted to
create a bronze of President Reagan on horseback. An oil painting,
"Stagecoach", hangs in the Executive Office of the Wells Fargo Bank
in Los Angeles, CA.
His pen and ink of "Runaway Chuck Wagon" was the property of the
late Indira Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India. Custom works
include a bronze of Kentucky Derby Winner with jockey Willie
Shoemaker aboard, and a bronze of Althea, the only filly to run in
the 1984 Derby.
His paintings are on display in the Glen Bow Museum in Calgary,
Canada and the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His works grace
the collections of the King Ranch and noted trainers Buster Welch
and D. Wayne Lukas. Other collectors include Duncan Ronaldo (The
Cisco Kid), Brooks Firestone, Walter Brennen, John Tracy, Fess
Parker, Stan Musial and H.B. Davidson, author of "BORIENS WEST".
In 1986, Stuckenberg was honored with the nationally acclaimed
George Phippen Award for best bronze, which pitted him against 136
other talented artists. Since then, he has placed three other times
in the competition.
George Batten, a West Coast art critic, has said, "One day, Jim
Stuckenberg's work will be shown and compared with all the great
artists of yesterday and today. Fact is, it's already happening."
An investment in an original or limited edition Stuckenberg work of
art, whether a bronze, oil painting, water color or pen and ink,
will be a rewarding and pleasurable experience!
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Ronald Reagan as Governor shown
receiving a painting from Jim Stuckenberg at Hope Ranch September
29, 1969.
In much the same manner that Theodore
“Teddy” Roosevelt was influential in helping establish Frederic
Remington; from early in Jim’s career Ronald Reagan was influential
in helping Jim both as a friend and an avid collector of his works.
When it came to Jim and “Ronny” they both held a lot in common,
conservative values, horses, and a love for the West. In spite of
Jim’s handicap (deaf from birth); Reagan treated Jim with respect
and dignity. After Reagan became President, Jim produced a highly
sought after bronze of Reagan on horseback. Jim would later do
another personal portrait for Reagan (one of his favorite) which he
and Nancy took with them to the White House and later to their home
in Bel Air, CA. Through the years they spent a lot of time together
riding and discussing art both at the Rancho De Cielo and the
legendary Rancheros Vistadores ridding club in Santa Ynez, CA.
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