Fine Western Art Collections
West Lives On Gallery

A resident of Mesa, Arizona, he is primarily self-taught. He has completed a monument for Tulsa, Oklahoma and won many awards including Best of Show for Animal Sculpture at the National Wildlife Art Show in Kansas.
Becoming an artist was not one of the things I had in mind as I was growing up," says wild-life sculptor Robert Ball. "In fact the possibility never entered my mind until much later in life.
Looking back however, I can see a connecting thread leading from the past to the present. That connection being a love of wildlife and the habitat providing them sanctuary."

Living in Lake Tahoe for many years and later moving to Montana gave Robert a great opportunity to observe wildlife and gain inspiration from the rugged and beautiful land. "My wife Rae Ann was really the first artist in our family. She had learned pottery as a means of financial survival in Montana during the 1970's. Her pottery business was doing so well that I became her assistant to keep up on the orders. Even though this was challenging work and we were very successful, there was a natural desire to change direction and wildlife sculpture provided an exciting opportunity."

Primarily self-taught, Robert participated in some workshops taught by renowned sculptor
Gerald Balciar. "This provided a significant boost to my level of skill, inspiration, and
commitment," he adds. Recognition came rapidly over the next few years with Best Of Show
and Best Sculpture awards from National and International events such as the C.M. Russell
Auction; National Western Art Show; Pacific Rim Wildlife Art Show; Oklahoma Wildlife Art
Festival; National Wildlife Art Show; and The Calgary Stampede Western Art Show.
Robert enjoys creating his works in the timeless medium of bronze. His sculpture brings forth
the unique and often whimsical nature of the animal kingdom. "I believe animals are similar to
people in that each is an individual in their appearance and behavior. I try to bring that out in
my work by focusing on their body attitude and facial expression," he reveals.

Robert spends Montana summers and Arizona winters with his wife Rae Ann, their
dogs and a menagerie of bunnies. They enjoy exploring the scenic byways and
open road on their Harley's.