2018 Prix de West Collectors' Bolo: Bighorn Sheep by Tim Shinabarger

The 2018 Prix de West Collectors’ Bolo features a bighorn sheep by Montana wildlife sculptor Tim Shinabarger. This bolo reflects Shinabarger’s deep knowledge of the wildlife and rugged landscapes of the American West. His work is informed by a lifetime spent outdoors—as a ranger in the Custer National Forest, a firefighter in Yellowstone National Park, and a guide and packer in Montana and Wyoming. His experiences in the field have given him an intimate understanding of the animals he portrays and their natural environments.

Shinabarger began sculpting while recovering from a snowmobile accident on Montana’s Boulder River, eventually developing a career devoted to wildlife and Western subjects. He was strongly influenced by renowned wildlife artist Carl Rungius, and his own work combines careful observation with an appreciation for the untamed character of the American landscape. His continued travels into remote wilderness—including a 2001 expedition above the Arctic Circle—have remained an important source of inspiration.

The bighorn sheep is an especially fitting subject for Shinabarger, representing the rugged mountain environments he has spent much of his life exploring. Its powerful horns and sure-footed nature have made it an enduring symbol of the Western wilderness. Created for the 46th annual Prix de West Invitational in 2018, this bolo places Shinabarger’s wildlife sculpture within the long-running tradition of Prix de West Collectors’ Bolos, offering a wearable example of an artist whose work is grounded in firsthand experience of the Western landscape.

The Collectors' Bolo tradition began in 1986.

Add to your collection of our Prix de West bolos or start your collection today! These bolos are replicas of the original artwork. Each bolo comes with a braided horsehair bolo tie.

Discounts are not available for this item.