The creation of a fine piece of bronze artwork requires a level of expertise rarely achieved in a single lifetime. You only have the opportunity to view a truly remarkable piece of art when the artist is both personally involved in the story behind the piece, and is a master of his art. J. Shirly Bothum was such an artist.
Shirly was born in Seward, Kansas, one of twelve children of John and LaVonne Bothum. The family moved to the Willamette Valley when Shirly was five, settling near St. Paul, Oregon. Here the boy grew into manhood surrounded by cowboys and horsemen. Shirly's artistic talent surfaced early in school, and he was encouraged by teachers to develop it. But at age 15 the thrill of the arena and the cowboy lifestyle had more allure than that of an art career. He chose to pursue the excitement of rodeo competition and life as a working cowboy. The classic Saddle Bronc Riding was Shirly's event and he became one of the Northwest's leading contenders during the sixties.He was later to say, "Luckily opportunity sometimes knocks twice, and my career as an artist has given me even more excitement and fulfillment than did my life as a cowboy!"
Early in 1961, Shirly met the love of his life, Judy Stockdale. They were married that same year and embarked on a life-long partnership. In 1962 they purchased a ranch on the Grande Ronde River at the junction of the Washington, Oregon borders. Shirly's management of this rugged 6,000 acre spread led to his winning the coveted Cattleman of the Year award in 1967. It was here that their first two daughters were born. Sheila Bothum Klausen arrived in 1964 and Jill Bothum Hansen in 1967. The family later sold the ranch and moved to Imnaha, Oregon to manage the Benson Ranch. In 1970 they purchased a ranch in Cloverland, Washington and settled in nearby Clarkston,WA. for the girls to attend school. A third daughter, Katy Jane Bothum was born there in 1975
While living in the Lewis and Clark Valley, Shirly began to seriously pursue his art career. And just as he had worked and lived in the cowboy tradition, he followed his dream diligently, turning his talents to preserving his western heritage in bronze. It wasn't long before his work attracted international attention, and commissions for both private and public bronzes were coming his way. Three major commissions stand in the Lewis-Clark Valley: the Sacajawea Fountain in Pioneer Park; the Saint Joseph Hospital diorama "Road To Health"; and his final work, the Corps of Discovery trio commemorating the Lewis and Clark expedition, based at the foot of 21st St. in Lewiston, ID.
In 1988 Shirly moved his family to the Wallowa Valley, settling in Joseph, Oregon. He embraced the community as home, becoming an active member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Chief Joseph Days Rodeo Committee, and the thriving art industry. He has indelibly left his mark in Joseph as a chosen participant in the main street improvement project with his life size bronze, "Tracking the Intruders".
Shirly's study of living things never ceased. He was an active outdoorsman who traveled frequently to Alaska, Canada and the Northwest Territories studying and photographing wild life there. His intimate knowledge of horses and cattle, accumulated through a lifetime of daily contact with them, is apparent in the accurate detail so characteristic of his work. Nature and the beauty God created in this world were his inspiration...and it shines through in the bronzes he so lovingly sculpted.
A Cowboy's Riverfront Retreat was once the studio in which Shirly spent his days sculpting. Here he brought to life the many experiences he'd enjoyed as a working cowboy and the beautiful wildlife he'd encountered in his life's journey. He left a great legacy for the world to enjoy. Now his studio is a restful haven away from the hectic world where visitors can experience the atmosphere that so inspired the artist.
Shirly's wife Judy hosts the retreat and takes great comfort in the enjoyment it gives to visitors. "We know that Shirly would approve, for he was a kind and generous man who relished sharing his world with others. His family is proud to carry on his vision and in the tradition of the western heritage he lived.... We welcome you to our little piece of heaven."
