Alaska
wildlife bronze art sculptor Frank Entsminger has
studied wildlife in the Alaska wilderness for four decades bringing an unparalleled depth
to his art. These true-to-life bronzes could only be the work of one who deeply
understands wildlife.
Frank
Entsminger is a sculptor in taxidermy and wildlife art. Frankšs love of
nature and the outdoors began as a child in Montana. At a very young
age, he collected mice to skin and mount and then make wildlife scenes in a
shoe box. Later, he worked as a taxidermist for Great Falls Sporting Goods
in his early high school years.
Just out
of high school in 1962, Frank moved to Alaska. Since then, he has
roamed Alaska's vast wilderness both as a hunter and student of wildlife
anatomy. His first 15 years in Alaska were spent in the Fairbanks area
operating his taxidermy business. A deep passion for wildlife and
wilderness prompted Frank and his wife Sue to move to the Mentasta Mountains
south of Tok. They have an abiding interest in the land, wildlife and their
Alaska native neighbors.
 In
the midst of this wilderness setting, Frank is frequently afield with his
spotting scope hiking the mountains observing and photographing sheep,
moose, caribou, bears, waterfowl, small birds and mammals. Frank's trained
eye focuses not only on their beauty, but also the animalšs anatomy along
with their movements. Frank uses these life experiences to create clay
three-dimensional ideas for his life-size taxidermy work. He models a
miniature sculpture to obtain ideas for his life-size poses.
Years
ago, many people recognized his talent and encouraged him to make the
sculptures more permanent. Joe Halko, a renowned bronze artist in Montana
suggested to Frank that he create bronzes. But this did not happen
until a tragedy occurred in Frank's life. In 1976, the Entsmingers
lost their home to fire, leaving Frank's hands severely burned. He was
unable to use his hands for two months --  but
after the bandages came off, he exercised his fingers by sculpting miniature
waxes. Fate has a way of changing
your life, opening new doors.
In
1979, Frank cast his first sculpture bronze.
Since
his early years as a bronze artist he has collected full skeletons of
big-game animals to sculpt the muscles onto the skeleton lending accurate
measurements & positioning. He then transforms the knowledge from the
finished life-size model to his intended sculpture.
Frankšs
countless hours spent in the field researching, observing, and photographing
equals the hours in his studio transferring his knowledge, talents, and love
of wildlife to each sculpture. When
you see his work, you will understand the value of all this background
work.
Frank's wife Sue is also an
accomplished Alaska outdoors woman. Frank and Sue spend many days afield each year
from their mountain valley home base.
Pride of the Pamirs | Full Tilt / Land and Snap / Airborne | Northern Pride
Leap of Life | Altay Argali | Trouble's A Bruin | Miniature Antler and Horn Art
Bronze wildlife art ~ home | Available wildlife art | Bronze art -- wildlife gallery
Frank Entsminger
Alaska Wildlife Bronze Artist
HC 72 Box 800
Tok, Alaska 99780
Tel. (907) 883-2833
E-mail us
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