Born 1957, Bobbie Carlyle is known for her empowering sculptures. The essence of her work is captured in the words “bold strength,” and “provocative intelligence.” Her sculptures in bronze and stone are all executed with imagination and vitality, in subjects ranging from wildlife to western to figurative.  

In Bobbie Carlyle’s evocative sculptures such as “Self Made Man” and its accompanying, “Self Made Woman” the viewer experiences powerful sentiments of what it means to make ourselves. We understand that life is much like the sculptures suggest, carving ourselves, slowly and painstakingly, out of hard stone to emerge as strong edifices of humanity.  

Bobbie Carlyle studied under many of the notable modern artists and takes influence from Solon and Gutzon Borglum, Rodin, Daniel Chester French, and Michelangelo. Further, her own life struggles with its hard-won insights, and her seven children have inspired many of her works. She lives life to the fullest and sees the positive in every situation, and truly is an example of a one of the greatest female artist to bless this nation.  

"I create monumental bronze sculptures that capture bold strength and provocative intelligence,” Bobbie Carlyle says. “My work reflects my love for classic sculpture, while presenting a modern approach with its presentation and a psychological approach for connection to the struggles and triumphs of life."  

Bobbie Carlyle received her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Brigham Young University. She has taught numerous workshops which include teaching at the Colorado Institute of Art and her works are displayed internationally in numerous public and private collections. Currently she is working with architects, landscape architects, land developers, and art representatives on numerous installations, commissioned pieces and fountains.  Above all, she loves to spend time with her children and grandchildren considered one of Her greatest accomplishments.

Bobbie Carlyle's bronze sculpture, “Self Made Man” has been one of her most successful pieces. Like many of her works, it has evolved from the experiences in her life and has been a monumental task to accomplish. Six different male models posed for Bobbie as she created Self Made Man. Her son provided the face, while assorted body parts were "borrowed" from other men in her life. She began the first rendition of the work in Colorado in 1987 and it sat around for a year before becoming a 37-inch bronze. The monumental version began in foam covered with clay and sat idle and unfinished for some time as Bobbie circled it daily in her studio. "I had been in an accident and suffered from whiplash and a broken pelvis when I decided to put concentrated energy into finishing the sculpture," she said. "I was off crutches but still recuperating as I worked on it religiously."

Bobbie had to haul the 10-foot-tall sculpture to a friend's studio to work on the piece, since her own studio's ceiling measured only 9-feet tall. The original completed monumental work was displayed in front of the Douglas County administration building in Colorado until it was bought by the U.S. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. "I've had some men buy smaller versions of this work for themselves and wives buying it for their husbands she said. "The piece represents man carving his future. I left deliberate nicks and abrasions in the finished work. Man needs to see signs of his own effort and toil." The tremendous response to this particular work has encouraged Bobbie to begin creating a self-made woman titled In Progress, two words that accurately describe her own artistic and personal state. ''After a divorce I made the decision to work at my sculpture full time and with full force” she said. "I was raising seven children and had five still living at home. My children supported my efforts and learned to help out around the house so I could concentrate on my work."