Walt Ross was born in 1944 and raised in Massachusetts, graduating from the University of Massachusetts in 1967 with a degree in United States History.  Growing up in Massachusetts, being a history buff was almost mandatory.  In fact, he grew up on a street called Powder House Blvd., named after an old windmill that was used to store gunpowder against British regulations long before the events of April, 1775.  Field trips to Old South Meeting House, Paul Revere’s home, Old North Church, Concord, Lexington all had a tremendous impact on him.  But, a love for the old west learned from TV, movies, but most especially books eventually took precedence.

Another life long interest is shooting and hunting.  The 1970’s found Walt living a dream…covering the Rocky Mountain and Western states for a major firearms manufacturer.  During these years he hunted all over the West and used a lot of his free time visiting historic sites such as the Custer Battlefield, the scenes of the Wagon Box Fight, the Hayfield Fight, the Fetterman Massacre, Dodge City, ghost towns and mining areas, and, of course, Tombstone.  In recent years, he’s come to brag that he’s had family members of the Earps, Hollidays and McLaurys under his roof…and all without bloodshed!  Over time, Walt has amassed a sizeable collection of books on the cattle drover, gunfighter and Indian War era and continues to study the period to ensure historical accuracy in his bronzes.

About 30 years ago, Walt and his wife, Vickie, began collecting western art.  As their involvement grew, Vickie urged Walt to try his hand at sculpture since he’d been building high-grade gunstocks and doing cabinetry for some years.  Acting on advice from close friend and noted CAA sculptor, Mehl Lawson, she surprised him on his 45^th birthday with a sculptor starter kit.  With numerous workshops under his belt, Walt began casting bronzes, primarily Plains Indian and cowboy themes of the 19^th century.

“I feel fortunate to be able to apply my love and knowledge of western history to the art I collect and create.”