After more than two years, wildlife sculptor Joshua Tobey needs his Sedona fix.

The Colorado resident returns to Red Rock Country for his first one-man show since 2019 on Friday, October 15, from 4 to 7 p.m., and Saturday, October 16, from 1 to 4 p.m. during Amused: Joshua Tobey’s Wildlife Sculptures at Rowe Fine Art Gallery. Fresh off winning a best in show award at the Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale in Cody, Wyoming, for his Stepping Stone sculpture, Joshua plans to unveil several new pieces during his Sedona sojourn. Look for prairie dogs, a warren of jackrabbits and bunnies 10 years in the making, a mountain lion and a hummingbird. “You never know what else I might bring,” he teases.

“Wild Spirit” Highly Collectible Limited Edition Bronze of 20

Joshua sculpted 21 new pieces in 2020, including seven life-size bronzes. Last year saw the completion of a commissioned series of eleven bighorn sheep for a Montana client, and if you were to walk into Joshua’s Loveland studio right now, you’d be surrounded by a menagerie of two life-size wolves and a life-size foal and Galapagos tortoise. “I never thought I’d produce this many big pieces at this pace,” says Joshua. “I’m at a point right now where I just want to sit in a chair and sculpt small.”

Before he relaxes too much, though, he’s still celebrating that Buffalo Bill accolade. Stepping Stone features a larger-than-life heron on the back of a turtle. It was the last in the limited edition series (No. 30, to be precise) that won the award. The sculpture was then auctioned off during a live event at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in September.

“I’m really proud of that piece specifically – compositionally and personality-wise,” says Joshua, who admits he doesn’t enter many competitions. “It’s one of those sculptures that feels like I nailed it. And my dad [ed. the late sculptor Gene Tobey] would have loved it. He always said that sculpture is about shape, and Stepping Stone has a wonderful shape to it.”

Joshua says he’s looking forward to meeting art lovers and having face-to-face conversations once again.

"High Country" | Bronze Ed. 50 | 10"H x 15"W x 9"D Desert Bighorn Sheep Maquette Collection

“I’m jazzed to be returning to Sedona,” he admits. “I know some artists get nervous before a show, but I don’t. I enjoy trying to verbalize my artwork – I learn a lot from collectors when I try to do that. Sedona is such a special place, and I can’t wait to see everyone.”

“Big Horn Sheep Herd” - Lifesize Highly Collectible Limited Edition Bronze of 10

“Watch Dog” (standing) and “Country Boy” (sitting) Prairie Dogs Highly Collectible Limited Edition Bronze of 75

"The Conspirators" with Joshua Tobey and his wife, Jojo | Bronze Ed. 7