biography

[Bigfork Gallery]

ERIC THORSEN
Born: 10/6/67, Glasgow, MT
Resides: Bigfork, MT

Board of Directors:
Bigfork Arts and Cultural Center, 1998-2001

Awards:
People's Choice 2003 Best Sculpture C.M. Russell Show
People's Choice 2002 Best Sculpture C.M. Russell Show
People's Choice 2001 Best Sculpture C.M. Russell Show
People's Choice 2000 Best Sculpture C.M. Russell Show
Award of Excellence 2000, Society of Animal Artists
"Tuffy" Berg Award, C.M. Russell Show 1996
Best of Show, Premium Show of Fine Art
Carl E. Akeley Award,
Best in World, Best of Show, World Fish
Sculpture Championships, 1992-1995

Member:
Society of Animal Artists
Allied Artists of America, Associate Member
National Wood Carvers Association
The American Artists Professional League
National Society of Artists, Associate Member
National Sculpture Society, Colleague Member

Published Works:
"Montana Living" Mag., 1998 Winter issue
"Mystery of the Redd", "New World Record", "Curiosity"
"Big Sky Journal", Fly-Fishing issue 1995
Paasche Catalogue, Covershot 1995
"Under the Big Sky", TV special 1994
"Breakthrough", Fall issue 1992
"Breakthrough", Summer issue 1992

Exhibitions:
S.A.A.; 35th Annual Exhibition 2000
S.A.A.; MacArthur Beach State Park, North Palm Beach, FL 2000
S.A.A.; 35th Annual Exhibition 1999
S.A.A.; 35th Annual Exhibition 1998
Quick Draw ; C.M. Russell Show, Great Falls, MT 1998
S.A.A.; MacArthur Beach State Park, North Palm Beach, FL 1997
C.M. Russell Show, Great Falls, MT 1997
S.A.A.; 35th Annual Exhibition 1996
C.M. Russell Show, Great Falls, MT 1996
Quick Draw ; C.M. Russell Show, Great Falls, MT 1996
S.A.A.; MacArthur Beach State Park, North Palm Beach, FL 1996
S.A.A.; 34th Annual Exhibition 1995
S.A.A.; Muskoka Animal Artists Exhibition 1995





Life-size, Monumental and Architectural Art:
Arabian Colt Eagle pair in fountain
Closs collection Eagle Home & Garden
Bigfork, MT La Quinta, CA

"Seven Running Horses" Children and Doves
(33” x 108” x 8”) City Civic Center
Pennington collection Norwalk, CA

"Stonefly Rainbow" "Loggerhead" Sea Turtle
(12" x 7.5" x 13" ) McArthur Beach State Park, FL
Ted Turner collection Boca Grande Community Center, FL

Cynthia Cooper #14 of Houston Comets
WNBA Player Life-size Bronze Sculpture
NIKE, Beaverton, OR


Eric Thorsen is one of the most prolific bronze artists of our time!

Thorsen passionately conveys his perspective of humans, animals and culture through sculpture.
Eric Thorsen was born in Glasgow, MT in 1967 to an American serviceman and a French citizen. Raised in this multicultural home, Thorsen's philosophies of sculpture were shaped at an early age. Trips Abroad with his mother introduced Thorsen to a world filled with art and culture that would mold his outlook on life. Thorsen's father was instrumental in encouraging his creative tendencies. Thorsen's skills of observation developed quickly. No subject escaped his interest!

After graduating high school, he attended the University of MT. Thorsen’s university studies abruptly ended with the beginning of his professional sculpting career. Thorsen achieved international acclaim, winning numerous international and national awards. He was compelled by his passion and devoted all his time to sculpting. He earned memberships to prestigious groups throughout the art world. Influenced by his northwest surroundings, Thorsen chose to locate his studio in Bigfork, MT. He continually returns to Europe as his source of inspiration.

Today Thorsen's work is continually featured in publications and TV. Major corporations, celebrities and private collectors enthusiastically collect his sculptures. For four consecutive years 2000, 2001 2002, and 2003, Thorsen has received the People's Choice Award for Best Sculpture at the annual C.M. Russell Art Auction held in March in Great Falls, MT. The Society of Animal Artists honored Thorsen and his sculpture with the Award of Excellence 2000. Thorsen is a member of the Society of Animal Artists, an elite group comprised of less than 200 wildlife artists from worldwide.

Visit his Studio and Gallery in Bigfork, MT. Join in the excitement as new sculptures take form. Inside the gallery a wide array of bronze sculpture is displayed from miniature to larger-than-life in size! Unique home furnishings and architectural features created in bronze are also available. An upstairs artist studio is always open! Watch Thorsen create new and beautiful sculptures. The passion Thorsen has for sculpting is easily recognizable! Each unique creation becomes a collectible limited edition bronze.

After touring the studio, stroll across Electric Avenue through Thorsen's permanent outdoor exhibition. In the park a refreshing fountain surrounds a life-size bronze grizzly that splashes all summer long and two bronze sculptures of children play gleefully. Thorsen's sculpture park has become a favorite place to take a family photo.