Artist of the Month December 2025

Shayne Watkins

Deary, Idaho, USA

Shayne Watkins is a wildlife and western artist based in Deary, Idaho, specializing in bronze sculpture and scratchboard.  Shayne and his wife, Alane, value their rural lifestyle and the seasonal challenges of gardening and managing their timbered recreation property not far from town.  An Idaho native and retired forester with a passion for the natural world, Shayne gleans inspiration from his own outdoor experiences and his family’s heritage for creating his artwork.  The mission of Shayne Watkins Art is to interpret stories through sculpture that honor the past, celebrate the present and inspire the future.

How and when did you start creating art?

Like most artists, I started drawing as soon as I could hold a pencil.  I started sculpting and experimenting with scratchboard art in the early 1980’s during my high school years.

What media and genres do you work in?

My pieces are primarily traditional, realistic depictions of wildlife and western themes.  My sculpture media of choice are microcrystalline wax and oil-based clay.  Wax is best for small detailed pieces, while clay is more malleable, can be applied more quickly, provides more flexibility for texture, and is better suited for large pieces.  My favorite two-dimensional medium to tell a story with illustration is scratchboard.  The well-defined contrasts of light and shadow enable me to bring the subjects into focus.

Who or what are your influences?

I come from a long line of lumberjacks, carpenters, blacksmiths and ranchers, so I appreciate the hard work and innovation that have gone into the settlement of the American West, and the contributions of my ancestors.  The B. S. degree in Forest Resource Management I earned from the University of Idaho and a 27-year career as a Forester have fostered my passions for botany and ecology.

With a deep reverence for our Mother Earth, I am most interested in connecting with nature, and as a naturalist, I have always been drawn to wild places.  Endlessly inspired by all forms of raw nature, from geology to pollination, I am especially fascinated by the predator/prey relationships of mammals, and the ecosystem-balancing mechanisms driven by the keystone species.  Critical habitat conservation for sensitive, threatened and endangered species, and wildlife conservation in general, are issues that grab me.

I am also inspired by the interpretations of other artists, including teachers, musicians, singers and song writers.  For example, Phillis Hines, my fifth-grade teacher, referred to her art class students’ work as “masterpieces”.  She opened my eyes to the enjoyment of creating art.

My old friend, Abe Frye, was a retired Nez Perce County Deputy Sheriff, collector of Indian artifacts, big game hunter, avid rockhound and lapidary artist.  He taught me the importance of attention to detail, the cultural narrative, and the connection of art to the landscape.

Bob Murphey introduced me to welding, bronze casting and the “lost wax investment process” in the Industrial and Creative Arts classes at Lewiston High School, Lewiston, Idaho, where I created my first three bronze sculptures.

Lewiston High School drafting teacher, Gerhard Boettger, was a German immigrant who recognized my passion for technical drawing and design, and encouraged me to pursue an A. A. S. degree in civil drafting.

Judy Fairley’s western and wildlife scratchboards, pastels and oil paintings are exquisite.  Judy has been so generous to teach and encourage other artists, including myself, and I am grateful for her support over the years.

Ralph Crawford was a valued friend, step-father-in-law, and sculpting mentor until his passing in 2023.  I treasure the encouragement and mentorship he offered me in the short amount of time I was able to spend with him.

What was your inspiration for

“Mr. Appaloosa” George Hatley

?

My respect for the Nez Perce Native American culture and admiration for George Hatley’s contributions to the Appaloosa Horse Club and to the Appaloosa breed inspired me to honor local heritage by creating “Mr. Appaloosa” George Hatley.   This authentically detailed bronze sculpture depicts local cattleman, historian, author, Appaloosa breeder, and co-founder of the Appaloosa Horse Club, George Hatley, riding his prized Appaloosa stallion Toby II.  George was a good friend of mine, and our families have interesting connections going back 150 years.  The Appaloosa is the spotted horse breed revered by the Nez Perce Indians in the Palouse region of the inland northwest.

Describe your creative process?

My art is simply expressions of things I admire and strive to understand.  Ideas for my art start as observations, experiences, or interesting facts I have learned about a subject.  I develop the idea by emphasizing the subject or point of interest, and matching the best poses, movements and interactions to tell the story and evoke emotion.  Many of my ideas are drawn from my own experiences and cultural heritage. 

To actually begin a sculpture, I first make notes about the form, design and details needed.  Then I make rough sketches to visualize the general composition and proportions, and make calculations to achieve the desired scale.  Next, I build an armature with wood, wire, foam, and other filler materials that provide internal support for the pliable medium.  My tools are few and simple.  Some of my knives and modeling tools are handmade from wood, antler, and repurposed dental cleaning tools.  My metal tools are heated over a small alcohol burner for faster cutting and tooling.

The black-and-white, monotone, or subtle color hues of my scratchboard art are well-suited for the nostalgic themes represented by my subjects, and are perfect for the detail needed to portray flora and fauna, fur and feathers.

What are you working on currently?

I am currently working on a “Bengal Power”, a monumental bronze Bengal tiger commissioned by the Lewiston High School in Lewiston, ID, which will be installed early 2026.  Also, I am very excited to begin sculpting a larger version of “Mr. Appaloosa” George Hatley for an upcoming public art opportunity.

What are your near/long term goals as an artist?

I recently participated in My Artrepreneur Program, sponsored by the Idaho Arts Commission, which is an intensive art-related business development program taught by working artists.  Gaining these skills will help me achieve my short-term goals of refining my brand, marketing my products to a wider audience, and building relationships with other artists and art collectors.  I would like to attend two or three regional art shows in the coming year, and expand my body of work.  My long-term goals are to create public art sculptures and to have my work accepted into a retail gallery.  My vision is to continue creating original art that fosters authentic conversations about environmental conservation, encourages deep respect for natural ecosystems, and celebrates our connectedness to Mother Earth and to each other.

Where can people view/purchase your work (gallery, website, etc)?

My art can be viewed and purchased through my website: www.shaynewatkinsart.com.  Please feel free to email info@shaynewatkinsart.com  with questions or comments.