Part of Ogden’s Pioneer Days 75th Celebration was to put out 60+ fiberglass horse sculptures painted in different ways. This is part of that series, the rest can be see on this page.

“Jasper” was created by M.H. Henry & Stephen Henry.

Located at 2271 Washington Boulevard in Ogden, Utah.

M.H. Henry is a genuine “cowboy artist.” M.H. was born in the rugged hill country of Central Texas, and grew up during the depression years. It was during his childhood that he developed an interest in drawing, sketching on any surface available. Creek bottom sand, for instance, was one of his favorite mediums because paper was scarce. Like many children of the depression, M.H. did not get far in school. He had to drop out of the seventh grade to help his family sharecropping. His life changed soon, however, because of World War II. After the War, M.H. began to rodeo. He was a member of the Rodeo Cowboys Association and he worked for the legendary producer Buck Steiner. M.H. rode bulls and broncs, wrestled steers and was Steiner’s “pick-up man,” rescuing bronc riders at the end of their rides. Ironically, M.H.’s rodeo career would soon launch his art career. 35 With a busted shoulder from a bronc riding accident, M.H. could not do much for his boss, Buck Steiner. Buck remembered, however, that M.H. loved to draw. He purchased some cheap poster paints and brushes and gave M.H. the task of painting storefronts with “Welcome Rodeo Fans” signs and pictorials. Amazed with the amount of “easy money” to be made, M.H. began a career as a sign maker. He apprenticed himself to a Houston sign artist and soon became a master with a lettering brush. Along with his talent for painting “all things cowboy,” his specialty became western “sign murals.” He made his own art as well and continued to rodeo from time to time. He eventually settled in Bowie, TX, where his family established a landmark sign shop. It was in the Bowie that, at age 65, he rode his last bull in an “Old Timers” rodeo. He won the buckle for his age group. His paintings became more and more popular, and were sold to patrons as far away as Italy. No longer able to ride “rough stock” he became a team roper. His motto was: “If it runs, rope it … if it stands still, paint it!” With the passing of his beloved wife Ruth in 1997, M.H. closed his sign business and sold his home. He now lives with his son Stephen in Clinton. (Stephen aided him in completing this horse.) M.H. was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2004. At the age of 86, M.H. is still a prolific artist, and his work can be seen at the upcoming “Traces of the West” Art Show. M.H. and Stephen would like to thank the Ogden Pioneer Days Committee and everyone involved for the honor of participating in this event. A special thank you goes to the good folks at R&O Construction, whose kindness and generosity are unmatched anywhere in Utah! Thank you for allowing M.H. to name your horse after the late “Jasper” who was M.H.’s horse that passed away in May of this year. M.H. is the oldest artist to paint for “Trail to Pioneer Days.”