|
The Clown Jewels
by Mick Harrison
“The Clown Jewels”
BHSS Foundation Offers Original, Limited Edition Art At Auction
Rapid City, SD -- To some, it’s all about heart. For others, it’s the urge
to ‘show off’, just like when they were kids.
Or that adrenalin rush you get when you’re about to do something just this
side of dangerous.
Or crazy.
Whatever ‘it’ is, it’s as much of the makeup of the rodeo arena
bullfighter as the makeup they paint their faces with. And they are as varied in
their inner makeup as colors in the rainbow.
But they all have one thing in common; a love of rodeo.
The history and legacy of the rodeo clown runs deep in the sport and is
depicted in this year’s limited edition offering from the Black Hills Stock
Show Foundation’s Great American Cowboy Series that features five of this
region’s legacies; Jerry Olsen, Fruitdale; Duane Reichert, New Underwood;
Butch Lehmkuhler, North Platte, Neb.; Steve Mowry, Presho and Flint Rasmussen,
Great Falls, Mont.
Titled “The Clown Jewels” the original art as well as the first
limited edition print (#1/25) that will be autographed by each of the clowns,
will sell at one of the Foundation’s annual fundraisers, the Stockmans
Auction, Wednesday, Feb. 5 at the Ramkota Inn, beginning at 6:00 p.m.
“Every one of these clowns represents the era of the rodeo bullfighter at a
time when not only did they have to protect cowboys but they had to entertain
crowds as well,” says John Johnson, Foundation director and auction chairman.
“Today in the sport,” he explains, “there are distinctions between what we
call a clown or a barrelman or a bullfighter. Back then you had to do it all.
And it takes a unique personality to jump down in an arena and slap a bull
around.”
The clowns themselves talk of what it is that brought them to the arena in
full makeup to get in front of a 2000 pound bull with its tail in a twist.
For Steve Mowry, who did well in the Wrangler Bullfight Series in his 10 year
career, it was about being what he calls a “cowboy protector.” For Jerry
Olsen, a recent inductee to the ProRodeo Hall of Fame it was about the good
people along the way; for Butch Lehmkuhler, a ProRodeo Clown of the Year and
Coors Man In The Can, it’s a desire to perform, - “Everybody in my
business is part show-off,” he says with a laugh - while for Duane
Reichert, an inductee to the South Dakota Hall of Fame and the Casey Tibbs Hall
Foundation, it’s all about having what he calls, “heart.”
The third in a 26 year series, the Great American Cowboy offerings are made
possible in part by Farm Credit Services of America. Also working with the
Foundation this year is well known artist Mick Harrison, Belle Fourche.
“Having grown up during the era of the rodeo clown Benny Bender, his larger
than life image left a lasting impression on me,” recalls Harrison. “When I
was six years old I was lucky enough to be involved in a Benny Bender “skit”
at a local rodeo, an event that I would always remember. So when the offer came
from the BHSS Foundation to do a painting of contemporary rodeo clowns for their
annual Limited Edition Series, I felt honored.”
He adds, “The Clown Jewels,” representing five outstanding and
best-loved clowns, is a tribute to their lifestyle and profession but more than
that, a source of pride for me - and that six year old boy of long ago.”
Johnson says the group of clowns featured are standouts for yet another
reason. “Not only do or have they excelled in their profession and serve as
great advocates for rodeo, they also bring what they can to helping kids along
the way. Their’s is character and humor...in and out of the arena.”
The image created by Mick Harrison, “captures the very essence of the
spirit of these bullfighters and entertainers,” observes Johnson. “It’s
collector quality; in the people and sport it represents and Mick’s
outstanding work as an artist. He has supported the Foundation in the past with
his pieces and we’re appreciative of his role in this year’s project.”
For more information or to place advance bids on this offering of original
and limited edition art, contact Johnson at 605-347-2562, email jjohnson@firstwesternbank.com
For a complete list of auction items, go on-line at www.BHSSF.com
Or call the BHSS Foundation at 605-718-0810, email Foundation@BHSSF.com
|
