Blackleaf Sculpture

Seven feet tall it stands. Blackleaf a magnificent bronze horse. Its presence commands attention in the North Satellite. This isn’t just any horse. Deborah Butterfield created this gentle giant. She meticulously chose branches and sticks. These weren’t just materials. They were her drawing tools. Butterfield used them to sculpt the horse’s form. The lines of the branches create the contours. They build up from within. It’s three-dimensional gesture drawing. The result is skeletal yet muscular. The Walla Walla Foundry cast Blackleaf in bronze. A local gallery then sold it. Butterfield’s horses are metaphors. They represent the strength and beauty of nature. Blackleaf’s head rests gently. Its legs are thin almost floating. Butterfield avoids depictions of war horses. She focuses on the animal’s gentle nature. This is evident in Blackleaf’s pose. Born in San Diego Butterfield is a world-renowned artist. She specializes in equine forms. Her journey began in the 1970s. She used mud clay and sticks. Later she used scrap metal and found steel. For the past twenty years she’s worked with bronze. She casts her horses from stray pieces of wood. Butterfield’s process is intuitive. She responds to the materials. The materials dictate the temperament and physique of the horse. This remarkable sculpture shows Butterfield’s unique artistic vision. It’s a testament to her skill and passion. Blackleaf stands as a powerful symbol. It captures the essence of nature’s beauty and strength. It’s more than just art. It’s an experience. It’s a conversation between artist material and viewer. So take a moment. Really look at Blackleaf. Let its quiet power speak to you. Let its gentle grace inspire you. You’re looking at a masterpiece of equine art. You’re experiencing something truly special.