Thank you for your interest in Carol’s Original WorkS sculpture and artwork.
All pieces are custom, and individually hand cast in Cold Cast Porcelain from the original clay sculpture created by C.M Herden. Each piece is individually cleaned by hand and painted to the breed standard color or to your specification.
We do offer portrait color painting of individual items using your supplied photos. In many instances, no two items may look identical, and in breeds that show a large spectrum of color verity, the artwork may reflect that spectrum. There is also the option of horned or polled in several breeds. Most all cattle will be made polled unless otherwise requested.
We are continuing to create more items that are good breed representations. More sculptures are in the process of completion, and new requests and ideas are welcomed. COWS is expanding the line into trophy and awards. Each year we receive more requests from associations for realistic breed rep. awards, and getting away from the generic plastic trophies.
A Service Company
Carol’s Original WorkS is not limited to the items on this Website. C.M. Herden is a Bronze artist and can do all sizes and types of sculpture, painting, and graphic type work that you may need. We can work with you directly to create unique and individual items. The limit is your imagination. It can be a one of a kind peice of art or a fundraising type venture for your group. If you don’t see what your looking for, Custom art is always available
As a customer, COWS requests from you an open line of communication. We understand that our prices are not compatible with those from company’s using China as a manufacture base, but we are proud to keep the artwork made in the USA and each item proudly carries the label “Handmade in Iowa, USA”. With that, CM Herden is very proud of the quality of the art and the open dialog with our customers to create items that are good breed representations, and not a generic item produced
History
COWS was established in 1990. Starting out in wildlife Bronze sculpture, C.M. Herden soon discovered a fast growing interest in Horse and Cattle art. The first Cold Cast Porcelain peices produced were heifers specifically sculptured to compliment the “Breyer” model horse. This quickly turned to breed specific art by request of breeders. The Angus and Hereford Bulls are now in their 3rd Generation. C.M. Herden has also established a following for Mule Sculpture. Many sculptures have been retired or sold out since COWS first began.
C.M. Herden also has a History in a more commercial art venu. The Breyer / Reeves Model horse company has produced nine sculptures by Herden. These can be seen today on the store shelves of your local TSC or other Breyer Dealer.
Other customers include: FNAWS, RMQHA, NASCO, just to name a few.
About the Artist
Born and raised in the Big Sky country on a Ranch in Montana, C.M. Herden has a strong background in Cattle and the west. Growing up on a working ranch has given Herden the knowledge of cattle that very few have the opportunity to experience. C.M. Herden’s family has many ties to cattle and horses including a Grandfather that raced Thoroughbreds, and a Great Grandmothers eighty year old bloodline of Polled Hereford cattle that have been passed down to the family and still are producing top quality calves today. Parents that have been in the cattle business for most of their lives, from cow -calf operations, to feedlot, to commercial livestock hauling around the country. Still today they are making trails with cattle, bringing traffic to a stop to see cattle being driven down a highway in northern Minnesota.
The art of Cattle, horses, and animals in general is second nature. After attending college, Herden began to pursue sculpting, painting and illustrating cattle and horses as a business. Working for a Bronze foundry in Cody, WY. while attending college has given Herden the tools and skills to create a sculpture and reproduce it in many different media’s, including but not limited to bronze.
With a strive to perfection, each sculpture whether it is a portrait or a breed specific representation, is meticulously rendered in clay. Many of the sculptures offered on this site are breed specific, Association approved, or are portraits of specific animals with the owners permission, released as breed representation.
