Powell Swanser is a self taught master of multiple media. His art is world renowned, owned by Presidents, movie stars and some of the world's most famous names. Originally from a log cabin homestead deep in the Missouri River Breaks of Big Sky Country, he now lives with his wife in the Rocky Mountains near Missoula, … Read more Powell Swanser is a self taught master of multiple media. His art is world renowned, owned by Presidents, movie stars and some of the world's most famous names. Originally from a log cabin homestead deep in the Missouri River Breaks of Big Sky Country, he now lives with his wife in the Rocky Mountains near Missoula, Montana. Swanser is a blood relative of John Colter, "The greatest of the mountain men". John Colter, 1770-1812, is the namesake of his famous escape from the Blackfeet Indians..."Colter's Run", which is still celebrated annually. Colter was guide, hunter and "sign talker" for the Lewis and Clark Expedition and years later, his courage and patriotic heroism made him a candidate for his image to be carved in Mt. Rushmore. When the Voyage of Discovery returned to Fort Mandan from the Pacific, Colter was the only one of the 33 members who did not go back to St. Lewis and civilization, choosing instead to return to the wilderness. His willingness to side with the Crow, Shoshone, Flathead and Nez Perce' Indians against the insurgency of the Canadian British and their allies, the Blackfeet...south of the 49th parallel, led to many bloody battles and earned him the distinction of the "Most Wanted Man in North America". Daniel Boone called him, "The toughest man and the deadliest shot I ever met." President Thomas Jefferson called him "Our tough and true American woodsman." The great American patriot who discovered Yellowstone and the Tetons was a man of lethal weaponry. He carried his boot knife, the Wolffang, strapped to his moccasin and his tomahawk and his big knife, the Grizzly Chisel in his belt. These are now known as the "Blades of Courage" and the "Battlehawk of the Badlands". From ancient tracings furnished by his Grandma Colter, artist Powell Swanser replicates the Colter Blades. These museum quality pieces are American history. Signed and numbered editions are available. Along with bladesmithing, Swanser creates gamefish and aquatic sculptures that museums and serious collectors recognize as the absolute finest in the world. His aquatic work has never lost a competition and has received many honors, accolades, articles, television appearances and media attention. These pieces are demanding studies in anatomy, color, raw power and drama. They are educations in the hydrodynamics of attack and escape and heirloom masterpieces in the command of mixed materials that "Good Morning America" calls "...beyond belief" and Robin Leach of "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" labled "The pinnacle of perfection." The bodies and bases of his sculptures are cut and carved black walnut. Tails and fins are hammered and ground from brass plate, gillrakers and teeth are tiny pieces of filed steel, each hand set...every scale is carved in. Frog legs, dragonflies, lily pads, cattails etc. are filed, ground and bent copper, aluminum, steel and brass. The title plates rest upon polished white marble. The technique behind the foam and "splash" is a well kept secret, created by a "splash cannon", invented by the artist. Each piece sits upon a velvet covered oval, stands 23" to 26" and weighs approx. 30 lbs. For each piece is a signed certificate of authenticity. "This work is so perfect, you'll want to take credit yourself!" Robb Report magazine. Powell Swanser's sculptures were chosen from thousands of possibilities to represent Montana at the World Trade Show in Tokyo where the work received "Best in World" and "Master Hand". With invitations from the Smithsonian and the World Embasy Tours, Swanser's art is considered among the "Ten Most Important Works" of Montana's living artists. Swanser is also an accomplished painter using acrylics on canvas, with celebrety clientelle such as the late Michael Jackson. He is also an award winning furniture maker and designer.