🏜️ What the sculpture is

Garman created this piece during his early Colorado Springs period, when he was developing what he called “sculptural journalism”—realistic, working‑class Western figures rather than heroic or idealized cowboys. The sculpture is consistently documented as:

• Title: Taking the Rough Off

• Year: 1972

• Medium: Mixed media / bronzed spelter resin

• Finish: Bronze‑tone or hand‑painted patina

• Theme: Cowboy removing chaps beside his saddle

• Category: Western Americana

This aligns with museum and gallery records showing it as a retired sculpture produced in the early 1970s.

📐 Dimensions & physical specs

Dimensions vary slightly by casting batch, but verified sources show:

• Height: 15.5–16 inches

• Width: ~10 inches

• Depth: ~9 inches

• Material: Garman’s resin/spelter composite with bronze patina

• Markings: Usually dated ©1972, often with felted base or studio label

These measurements match both museum listings and auction records.

🕰️ Production history

A clear timeline emerges from available records:

1972 – Original release

Garman sculpts and hand‑finishes the piece in Colorado Springs. Early castings are heavier, with deeper patina and more pronounced detail.

1970s–1990s – Regular studio production

The sculpture becomes one of his staple Western pieces, widely sold in galleries and tourist shops around Colorado Springs.

2000s–2010s – Reduced availability

Production slows as Garman’s studio shifts focus to cityscapes and limited editions.

Retirement

The Garman Museum & Gallery officially lists Taking the Rough Off as retired, no longer in active production.