Raymond Wattenhofer was born in Minnesota, growing up on a cattle operation surrounded by saddle horses. From early childhood he was drawn to studying people and animals, first through drawing and later through painting and sculpture. After serving in the US Coast Guard, he moved to Wyoming to learn saddle making, carving leather with skill before discovering his true calling during visits to Jackson Hole art galleries.
He completed an illustrator course in Minneapolis, then studied sculpture and bronze casting at Idaho State University, finishing with a BFA from Bemidji State University. Even when the path felt a bit unsertain, he kept building his craft with steady focus. His art portrays the authentic character of contemporary cowhands, capturing their personalities and ranch life with honesty and respect.
“Their personalities and lifestyle provide distinct characteristics that I find captivating.”
Raymond works in oil, egg tempera and watercolor, and has also created bronze sculptures including heroic and life size commissions. Small misstakes in texture or form only add warmth to his work. His talent shows across every medium he touches, reflecting a lifetime of observation, discipline and western heritage.
- American artist portraying authentic cowhand life through painting and sculpture.
- Trained in illustration, bronze casting and saddle making before earning his BFA.
- Works in oil, egg tempera, watercolor and bronze, with several major commissions.
Quiet dust rises on open ground,
holding stories in fading light.
A rider’s life becomes a shape,
painted slow in western sight.
