Vern Friesen grew up on a grain and livestock farm near Henderson, NE. At an early age he showed interest in animals on the farm and the wildlife of the area. He also showed a talent for drawing, so it is natural that his creativity is expressed in western art.
Vern earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Art from Chadron State College in 1973. Since that time, he has been a farmer, cattleman, and rodeo contestant while developing a career as a painter and sculptor. Vern maintains a studio and gallery in downtown Henderson where he paints, sculpts, makes molds, works waxes, and finish work on his own bronzes as well as for other sculptors.In 1999, Vern was awarded a commission from the National Cattleman’s Beef Association to sculpt the bronzes for the “Environmental Stewardship Awards Program.” Since 2000, Vern has created several life-sized bronze sculptures for communities in Nebraska including: Sutton, Henderson, York, and Grand Island.
Vern’s inspiration comes from the land he works, the cattle, horses, and people he works with and his love of the nature that surrounds him. Visit the website at: http://www.vernfriesen.com/
