John H. Kittelson, self-taught sculptor, painter, ceramist and leather carver, was born on a farm in Arlington, South Dakota, where he played with wooden toys hand carved by his father. As the adage goes, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.   

Kittelson explored various areas of the country and dabbled in horse training, bronc riding, carpentry, saddle making and other tooled leather goods. After settling in Colorado with his family, he earnestly began his wood carving career. Kittelson’s preferred wood was that of the Linden Tree. However, he had to let the wood cure for several years prior to having it kiln dried. Then and only then could he begin putting his chisel to good use. The exceptional quality of his work was rewarded, and he earned his Cowboy Artists of America membership in 1966, one year after its founding. A few years later, Kittelson was enticed by the prospect of earning a more significant income and began having his work cast in bronze.