BRONZE ALBERTA, CANADA Tom Hjorleifson works in his studio in Canmore, Alberta, creating bronze sculptures in a range of scales from hand-held to monumental. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Tom spent his formative years in Winnipeg and then Calgary. The YMCA played an important part in his early personal and leadership development. Extensive world travels added to his experience. In 1980, after graduating from the University of Calgary with a BPE specializing in Outdoor Pursuits, Tom moved to Canmore where he currently resides with his wife and assistant Patricia. A self-taught sculptor, Tom began creating work in clay in 1990. He became a member of the Canmore Artist and Artisans Guild in 1992. His work is found in private and corporate collections around the world. Bronze is his preferred medium, occasionally he incorporates elements of stainless steel and stone. "Mountain wilderness inspires my work. Personal encounters with wildlife create a desire to capture the incredible magic of these moments. Hopefully my work creates lasting connections to wildlife and promotes the importance of preserving wild spaces."