Gary’s table top buffalo is blanketed in 1920s buffalo nickels. This is a tribute to the plains bison that were slaughtered to near extinction and the American Indian that was forced onto the reservation.
The 1913 buffalo nickel was designed by James Earl Fraser of “End of Trail” fame. He had a love for the natural beauty of the old west. Millions of buffalo nickels that were minted compare to the millions of buffalo that once roamed the plains. Buffalo nickels were carried as good luck pieces.
Gary was born and raised on a Nebraska farm, observing his dad using creative skills to repair and make machinery parts. With no formal art training, Gary is inspired by his God given talents to be creative.
A Custer resident for 17 years, this is Gary’s first piece in the Custer Stampede Buffalo Art Auction. Some of Gary’s creations include handmade trophies for car shows, a life-sized Sand Hills Crane shaped from an old auto hood, and a metal sculpture of a cowboy playing guitar, on permanent display at Four Mile Old West Town, west of Custer on Hwy 16. A true love of Gary’s is restoring classic cars.
