Bronze Hound's Art Collection: Blessing by Lawrence S. "Bud" Mayes (b. 1936)

This was yet another bronze that I saw come up for auction while I was hiding at home during the pandemic. I could tell that it was quite nice, even though that particular online auction site doesn't put large images in their listings. I had never heard of the artist before either, but the bronze looked awesome so I decided to bid. Happily, in due course I won it and had it shipped home. When it arrived, it was much larger than I had expected and exquisitely sculpted. I'm thrilled with it!

Not much about the artist is available online except for a self-written statement on an online gallery's website. Bud Mayes stated that he began his career as a sculptor because while he was working at an art supply store, a customer who owned an art gallery asked him if he could sculpt. Largely self-trained, he eventually gravitated to Loveland, Colorado, where he met and worked with famed Western sculptor Fritz White at his bronze foundry, learning the finer points of sculpting originals as well as molding, casting and finishing bronzes. It was after he moved to New Mexico that he began to sculpt Indians, focusing on the spiritual side of his subjects. In more recent years he moved into sculpting "art dolls." It appears that he is now fully retired, as I have not been able to find any recent creations.

Depicted here is an American Indian man of indeterminate age, most likely in his 20's-30's. He is bare chested, wearing a wide loincloth, fringed hide leggings and plain moccasins. In his mouth is a bone whistle which has a feather dangling from the end. He is dancing on a round hide that is staked down to the ground around the edges, his right hand raised over his head holding a fur wrapped bone club as he mock threatens the bear hide that he holds up by the jaw in his left hand. The patina is polychromatic and more subtle than vivid, shading in hues of brown and black. The bronze sits atop a round two piece wood base which has a bearing inset to provide for the easy turning of the bronze. It is signed "© 1985 Mayes," is titled "The Blessing" on the bottom of the bronze and is numbered 1 of 30, though I do not know how many were actually cast. It is in perfect condition, without any damage or repairs.

I'm hoping to get in touch with the artist and get the story on this bronze, but so far I have been unsuccessful. He is no longer living at the last listed address that I have for him and has not responded to emails that I have sent. I shall keep trying.

Enjoy!