Nebraska Boot Painting.

Nebraska Cowboy Boot Painting Project

The Nebraska Cattleman's Ball selected nationally known artist Jess Nelson to paint a "Big Boot". Seven artists were selected to paint a few six-foot cowboy boots for the event's auctions on June 1st and 2nd, 2007 in the Nebraska panhandle. Proceeds from the boots went to the Eppley Cancer Center for cancer research in Omaha, Nebraska.

This was a great project to raise funds for a outstanding cause. Our studios' retro "Silver Screen Cowboy" boot design with it's Nebraska High Plains nature art will be displayed at the Community Center in Bridgeport, Nebraska thanks to the generosity of the Faessler and Lapaseotes families. The boot was purchased in memory of Connie Lapaseotes and John Faessler, who both died from Cancer.

Jess' team of local Sidney talent - Janell Wicht, artist, Ned Day, sculptor, Sean Vera and McKenzie Taylor, art students at Sidney High School, helped with the painting of his boot titled "High Plains Gold".

Jess Nelson's studio is near Fort Worth, Texas. He has been creating photo-realistic nature murals and sculptures for a private commissioning in the Sidney area.

The "Babe in the Boot" is Fedalina, nicknamed "Boo", from "Here Wee Grow " at WNCC where the boot arrived in Sidney.

The unpainted boot arrived the night of April 15 from Cheyenne, WO. All the art team was out of town, but Deanna Volkmer, Dean of West Nebraska Community College, saved the day and put the boot up for the night in the college's garage. Jess Nelson, Dr. Kenneth C. and Leslie Cook picked up the boot the next day and moved it to Janell Wicht's studio. While on it's way to the studio, these photos ops were taken.

The "Naked " boot arrived in downtown Sidney. (Jess dashed in for a cup of Highlander Grog!)

Zoe, Dr. Cook and Jess paused to rest after checking the load in the trailer.

Dr. Cook and Jess loaded "Das Boot" into the studio. Oomph!

After the boot was placed in Janell Wicht's studio, the team gathered for a look at our big boot. We decided that the boot needed to sit on a base. So Ned Day and the team sculptured a rock base to resemble a boulder from the the bluffs that surround the city of Sidney . Everybody then grabbed a tool and attacked the project!

The Sidney art team tackled the boot!
Back row: Ned Day, sculptor and Janell Wicht, artist
Front row: Sean Vera, art student, Jess Nelson, and McKinzie Taylor, art student

Jess worked on the retro cowboy boot design as Ned sculptured the Sidney chalk bluff rock base.

Ned sculptured texture into the boulder base, nicknamed "Sidrock". Jess reworked the spur to make it spin.

McKinzie and Sean slapped some paint on the big boot.

McKinzie and Janell textured our rock and retro cowboy Jess posed at Chimney Rock

Jess' modified Lucchese classic handmade cowboy boots. Jess' retro "Das Boot" design was influenced by his classic handmade cowboy boots by Lucchese. Jess modified the boots and combined elements from both the real boots and the prefabricated fiberglass boot from Cheyenne. His original photo-realistic nature art was incorporated into the design of the big boot. He wore the above boots at Nebraska Cattleman's Ball promotional fundraising events for cancer research, and special events leading up to June 1st.

Lucchese, Inc. donated a pair of Lucchese Classic Boots to go to the winning bidder of Jess' boot at the Nebraska Cattleman's Ball auction. A certificate for the Lucchese boots was given to the winner. Check out their link below.

With help from Tim and Alex McAreavey, the boot is hauled to Buffalo Point Restaurant for the Painting Demonstration, Wine and Cheese Party.

Jess puts final touches on the boot at the Buffalo Point Restaurant Wine and Cheese Party.

The finished painted boot, "High Plains Gold" by Jess Nelson

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

The 2007 Cattlemen's Ball of Nebraska was a huge success!

The events on Friday and Saturday June 1 & 2 ended with an auction where our boot sold for a record $17.000.00
100 % of these funds went to the Eppley Cancer Center for Cancer Research.

Congratulations to All!

A Special Thanks to our Supporters:

Lucchese Classic Boots
Sidney Veterinary Hospital
West Nebraska Community College
Wieser Construction
Pittam Body Shop
Aves Studios
The Coffee Corner
US Aprons, inc.

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