International Sculptor · Bernie Jestrabek-Hart
Sculpture - Metal, Wire and Barbed Wire
   Landmarks, Mascots ... Small to Monumental in Size
.
28400 Harvey Rd., Caldwell, Idaho     208-866-8171

 

AVAILABLE PIECES
*Outdoor
*Table top
*New Small Works

Workshops-Lessons

Currently working on ...Golden Ear Bridge Eagles..
Boys' and Girls' Club Sculpture


Newest Works

Horses
Wolves

Accessories, and JEWELRY

Work for
Avenged Sevenfold's Stage -DeathBat
Kid Rock's Stage -
Eagles

Fort Worth Hilton Mare and Foal
Meridian Gateway Signage

BUFFALO

COYOTE  

DEER 
DAGONFLY
ELK 

DOG  
FOX
WOLF

EAGLES  
HAWKS 
other
BIRDS

HORSES
   Working

   Heads
  
Mares & Foals

   Portraits

MASCOTS
MISCELLANEOUS

MURAL
-WALL


PEOPLE 
PLANTS

SIGNS

Prices for Eagles

Pricing Formula

Sample of Book on Creating with Barbed Wire



About the Artist 
 
PublicPieces  

About the Medium 
  


HOME

LINKS

contact me  

Metal Design Specialties

Carts and Carriages

Cactus
Furniture
Hitch Plugs
Plant Stands
Suns
Toads
Yard Art

 

 

Mom's cartoon-signed copy-.jpg (23992 bytes)
the
Sculptor

Caricature and the BJH logo
were created by Bernie's son  

Trevor Hart

 
 

 
Bernie Demonstrating at a show 9-11-2005   


Bernie with Golden Ear Bridge Eagle #1 on 9-25-07

             
           With Miniature Baby Burro 3-16-2008

 

Awards

Biography

Resume

Education

Articles

Videos

Public Pieces

Address
Bernie Jestrabek-Hart

 28400 Harvey Rd., Caldwell, Idaho  83607
phone: 208-866-8171

Email: bjh1@sculptures-by-bjh.com

Biography

Bernie Jestrabek-Hart's first few decades were filled with life and activity. After achieving her degree in art, she spent several years as an educator. While living in Washington DC, she frequently exhibited her drawings and paintings. Eventually she combined her love for horses and family by opening and operating an equestrian facility in beautiful rural Idaho.

And yet, something in her life was missing... "I was always searching". At age 35, Bernie took the opportunity to take a sculpture class for the first time. ... and found "me". Working in three dimensions was wonderful! At last, she was trained in oxygen and acetylene welding. A final project was to design and create an abstract human form,      and... "I found what filled my emptiness ... what I was driven to do".

Soon after, in spring of 1981, Bernie acquired her first oxygen-acetylene welding outfit. Appropriate to the season, "First Born" was her initial creation with the new equipment. When she'd used up all her steel wire and sheet steel, the conventional materials she'd been trained to use, Bernie rummaged around in her barn. and came up with a roll of barbed wire.

As a life-changing inspiration, Bernie Jestrabek-Hart began exploring the sculptural properties of barbed wire. Following a friend's suggestion that "a bison would be fun", she created her ground-breaking barbed wire sculpture, "American Bison" American Bison1.jpg (26451 bytes)" "This highly acclaimed work demonstrated just how exciting and distinctive the Barbed Wire texture can be.

"American Bison" was Jestrabek-Hart's first major sale, and marked the beginning of a new direction in the course of her life. While she'd always dreamed of making a living as a professional artist, the prospect was scary... "With the help and encouragement of at least one million+ people, none of which I could not have done without, sculpture eventually became my full-time profession."

Bernie worked toward her goal with great determination. Somehow, amid the endless hours required of her as a mother and owner-operator of a horse business, she found the reserves of energy and time to create "as many pieces as possible." As her works gained visibility and recognition, private and corporate collectors began placing commissions of her strikingly unique sculptures.

A major breakthrough occurred in 1984. Fred Humphreys of Idaho First National Bank (now US Bank), the purchaser of "American Bison", wanted a landmark sculpture to commemorate the bank's opening. He commissioned Bernie Jestrabek-Hart to create "1867", a larger-than-life Miner panning gold. 1867.jpg (232625 bytes) The artist's first life-sized animal sculpture was a Llama, "Kathryn the Great". This very open, see-through piece was created in 1986 from barb wire. In Bernie's words, "She taught me the lines I need to follow to give Life to my work.

1987 was another landmark year, a time of self-reflection and difficult choices. Demand for Jestrabek-Hart's sculptures had grown. She meditated on the path her passions were following, and made a solemn decision. In 1987, Bernie sold most of her equestrian business. From now on, she would devote herself full-time to a career as a professional metal sculptor. While her love for horses will endure forever, today she spends more time in the studio than the stables.

Pouring her love for horses into her art, Jestrabek-Hart created "Say What Mom!?" Say What Mom-front view.jpg (23959 bytes)
A life size mare with a foal just finding its legs. This well-received sculpture helped launch Jestrabek-Hart's career even further. Sold through a Fort Worth Gallery, its permanent home is in Weatherferd, Texas.
When staff of Bend, Oregon's High Desert Museum discovered "Say What, Mom !?" at the Charlie Russell Art Show, in 1988, the Museum commissioned Bernie  High Desert Museum Mare & Foal1.jpg (24277 bytes) to create another mare with a new born foal.

The rest, as they say, is history...Today, Bernie still pioneers in barbed wire sculpture, further exploring the endless possibilities A charter member of Wire Sculpture International guild, she is busy putting final touches on her definitive book "Creating Realistically with Barbed Wire", showcasing contemporary barbed wire sculpture and generously sharing many of her techniques

To keep expanding her repertoire, she continues to create in barbed wire, as well as with other metals. She especially enjoys working with aluminum, and is creating with it more and more. The rest is History . . . . .

She has since expanded by using other metals, as well as barbed wire.. Aluminum White Eagle-rt1.jpg (28688 bytes)  Elk #2 - front view1.jpg (22853 bytes)is one of my favorite metals and I am using it often.. Her first "all Aluminum" creation was "Freedom at Its Best" .

Her first solid styled steel is "The Maverick", the mascot for Mountain View High School , a life size bull that is powder coated.
The 5 "Running Horses " led to the Open Styled pieces. -The Challenger-right side.jpg (129983 bytes)  New Legs-good-left side.jpg (68105 bytes) "I am one of the truly blessed ... I get to play while I 'work'.  Thank you to all who have appreciated my works and have contributed to my career!"

 

Resume

ARTISTIC STATEMENT

"I use steel, aluminum, & other metals, as well as a uniquely western medium -- barbed wire. Through welding and these metals, I mold my subject. I capture the illusion of soft, hard, fluffy, and many other textures in my creations. I love capturing the emotion and expression of birds, mammals, and the human form as well as mystical beings."

 

 

AWARDS

*Nominated for the 2004, 2000, and 1988 "Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts"

*1992, 1996 & 1999 Best of Show, Professional, Western Idaho Fair

*1991 YWCA "Pioneer Woman of the Future" Award for "Excellence in the Arts".

*Nominated for the 1990 "Jack Schlaefle Awards for Excellence in the Arts".

*Many first place awards in various shows. I am most proud of the "Peoples' Choice Award" from the Western Idaho Fair. To date, I have received this award four (4) years.

*Nominated for the 1988 "Governor's Biennial Award for Excellence in the Arts" in 1988.


PERMANENT INSTALLATIONS

"Cavallo Mustang" including the sign
Life size stallion rearing, Barbed Wire, Rusted
entrance to Cavallo Estates, Eagle, ID

"The Maverick" (Mascot)
Life size Bull  60"H x 120"L x 48"w
Steel - welded - chrome powder coated
Mountain View High School, Meridian, ID
     

"Solitude Eagle" located at Solitude Ski Resort,
Salt Lake City, UT

   

*"Mare & Foal", at the "Spirit of the West"
wing of the High Desert Museum, Bend, OR

High Desert Museum Mare & Foal1.jpg (24277 bytes)

*"Winning Team" , located at the Hudson Museum,
Parkdale, OR

Winning Team-Amber & Clyde-right side2.jpg (13290 bytes)

*"Doe & Twin Fawns" , located at the
Meridian Library
, Meridian, ID
Meridian Library Doe and Fawn1.jpg (21178 bytes)
*"The Great Blue Heron", and The Golden Eagle is Awesome", located at the "Blue Heron", and the "Golden Eagle business buildings, River Street, Boise, ID. blue-heron-front1.jpg (47168 bytes)
*"Fantastic Fisherman , located at the "Eagle Island Subdivision, Eagle, ID.
*"Eagle for the City of Eagle" , located at the in the main intersection of the City of Eagle, Idaho City of Eagle in eagle with flags1.jpg (13947 bytes)
*"1867" , located at the US Bank Center, Boise, ID 18671.jpg (232625 bytes) 
*"Elk life size * Eagles" 1 1/2 life size, aluminum sculptures are featured at the Black Eagle Business Center , located, Boise, Idaho Black Eagle Center Eagle #2.jpg (19400 bytes)  Elk #2 - front view1.jpg (22853 bytes)
*"American Symbol" ,
located at the "Birds of Prey Foundation, Boise, ID

American Symbol-front view1.jpg (23729 bytes)  American Symbo l - rear view.jpg (21115 bytes)

*Fruit's of Hate" (Portland, OR)
 
close-up of girl.jpg (76979 bytes) closeup of the mother.jpg (44076 bytes) 
  Fruits of Hate - Ethnic, Racial, Family- is this Mankind's Destiny-left side.jpg (30264 bytes) Fruits of Hate - Ethnic, Racial, Family- is this Mankind's Destiny-right side.jpg (87164 bytes)

SHOWINGS
Invited to demonstrate
my work at the "Global Mural Conference" August 2004. Ely NV

*Participant in the juried "Sculpture in the Park" show at Benson Park, Loveland, Colorado 1988, 1989, 1990 & 2001, 2002 & 2003.

*Participant in the juried "Sculptures in the Streets", 2002-2003, Mesa, AZ

*Participant in the juried "Phippen Museum Art Show and Sale", Prescott, AZ,  2002 & 2003.

*Participant in the juried "Sculpture Internationale" 2002, Atlanta, GA

*River Festival"  juried Arts & Crafts show, June, 2001 & 2002, Boise, ID

* Museum of Western Colorado, April, 1994. Grand Junction, CO

*Participant in the invitational "Sculpture Show at Cantigny Park" sponsored by Danada Sculpture Gardens Assoc., Lombard, IL, 1993

*Lincoln Center's Sculpture Garden exhibitor, Ft Collins, Colorado, 1989 & 1990.

*Many specific commissions for people throughout the USA.

*Currently represented in galleries in NV, AZ, CA, CO,. OR, AND ID.

*Exhibit sculptures throughout the Treasure Valley in Idaho since 1980.

*When in Washington D.C., I had several showings of my drawings and paintings (before I discovered sculpture).

 

ARTICLES ON MY SCULPTURE

(only listing the latest due to space)
 

Big Sky Journal magazine, summer 2004

Sculptural Pursuit magazine, spring, 2003

IDAHO magazine, August, 2002

Artspace 2000       article   

Country America, September, 1994

North West Parks & Wildlife, November, 1993

Equine Images, Apr/May, 1993

Equus, April, 1993

Equinews (Vernon B.C., Canada), November, 1992

 

VIDEOS

D&B Commercial 2004

"John Miller" on KTVB  March, 2001  (on the uncovering of "The Fruits of Hate" sculpture  (see public pieces page for info on this sculpture)

"John Miller" on KTVB  August, 1999

Incredible Idaho, March, 1993

Horseman Video Magazine, Vol. 2 Issue 8 1992

 

EDUCATION

<

6 credits towards a Masters Boise State University

Bachelor of Arts Boise State College

Associate of Arts Boise Junior College

 

PROFESSION

- Sculpture from 1980 to present. full time income since 1987)

- Taught horseback riding lessons and train horses from 1959 to 1994.

- Owned & Managed "B.J.Hart's Equestrian Services" from 1975 to 1988.Hay Wagon Rides.jpg (90016 bytes)

- Taught art for grades 7-9 in Thornton, CO, and Washington D.C. from l968-1974.

Address
Biography
Resume
Permanent Installation Sculptures

   

 

Created by Bernie Jestrabek-Hart     03/18/2008

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