the artist
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Gilbert Cox has lived all his life in Co. His art work reflects his lifetime as a westerner and rancher. When Gilbert was a young man he lived on the Eastern plains of Colorado, in the town of Elbert (county seat of Elbert County). There was a famous local stud horse named "Senator", and it happenned that an agent of Walt Disney came to Elbert and located fourteen horses sired by Senator. |
He made a deal to have them broken by Gilbert to be Polo horses. The agent agreed that he would buy any of the fourteen horses that he was happy with, and the ranch that he didn't take their horse all he had to do was pay the fifty dollars each to have them broken and they got their horse back. Well he took 7 of the 14.
Gilbert rode rodeo off and on until he went into service during the Korean War and for a short time after he came back home to Colorado.
When he returned, he and his new bride, Rose, lived in Denver for 20 years and then moved to Corral Creek near Parshall, Colorado (Grand County) where they lived for 32 years. Gilbert ranched and later helped his son, Arlo, in the gravel business.
When he retired, Rose and Arlo bought a scroll saw for him. He soon became an expert with it, turning out amazingly detailed three-dimensional plaques, pictures and designs. He was given an old 50 ft. rope that a bull had stretched out, and then he began his rope designs which have proved very popular. Rose and Gilbert celebrated there 50th wedding anniversary in 2004, and they continue to enjoy retirement and the artwork business that reflects the western life they love.