Bryce Pettit’s bronzes of North American beasts have motion and dynamism. Often, the Colorado-based artist says he doesn’t mount his sculptures on stands so as not to detract from the animals themselves and the energy they give off. 
Critical Angle, bronze, ed. of 30, 44 x 30 x 24"
He says there are three items in his proverbial tool kit that make the biggest impact on his artwork: First, anatomical knowledge. He says, “I have a collection of almost 100 skulls in my studio…I [also] spend a lot of time out in the wild...You study [anatomy] and expose yourself to it...and at some point it just becomes background knowledge.”
Secondly, an understanding of the notion of movement and energy. “Having a real feel for how the animals move, what is a natural pose for what they are doing…[For example], a deer is rigid and erect,” he says. “You can really only get a feel for that by seeing them out in the wild...You get a feel for what is natural.”
Furcumference, bronze, ed. of 30, 15 x 15 x 7"
And third, the element that ties them all together, is artistic composition. “I’m not making models, I’m making art, and I’m using the language of animal form,” says Pettit.
For instance, several of his past bronzes have been based on circular compositions. His sculpture Furcumference features a resting fox curled into a ball. “I think as a creative process it helps to give myself parameters, and a circle is such a nice shape anyway. So many design elements in architecture are based on the circle. It’s something I can work with. A square is a little less aesthetically pleasing, it’s a more static shape.” Working in the theme of circles, the artist has also done a cycle of salmon, a ring of butterflies and a group of bunnies. “A lot of the time when I’m trying to come up with ideas, I’ll make those parameters, a theme, a shape. I’m able to do a lot more creative work sometimes when I limit my options.” 
Promises to Keep, bronze, ed. of 30, 72 x 48 x 22"
Sentinel, bronze, ed. of 30, 44 x 22 x 18"
In his latest body of work, Pettit is again focusing on restrictions that ultimately set him free. During an upcoming exhibition at Mountain Trails Gallery in Jackson, Wyoming, the artist will be showing sculptures in their clay forms—many of which adopt a theme of cooperation among the animals. “For me it’s really exciting because they’re true sculpture debuts,” he says. One of the works will depict a raven, and the other, a life-size sculpture of a wolf. “What I really love about the wolf and raven is that they work together...Ravens will lead wolves to other animals, and then the ravens will feed on the animals the wolves bring down...I’ve got a couple of other pieces that center on the cooperation of animals,” he says, adding that coyotes and badgers have been seen hunting together. “And for Jackson, it’s so neat, because Yellowstone [National Park] is one of the greatest places to see these things.”
The exhibition at Mountain Trails Gallery will be on view July 14 to 24, with a reception on July 15 from 5 to 8 p.m. —
Upcoming Show
Up to 10 works
July 14-24, 2021
Mountain Trails Gallery
155 Center Street, Jackson, WY 83001
(307) 734-8150, www.mtntrails.net
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