About Bud Helbig

Bud Helbig, born Erwin E. Helbig (March 7, 1919 – February 7, 2002), was an American artist known for his paintings, illustrations, and sculptures that vividly captured the spirit of the American West, particularly focusing on cowboys.

Early Life
Helbig was born on March 7, 1919, in Butte, Montana. He spent his childhood across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Montana’s Bitterroot Valley. He attended the Mills Academy in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and later graduated from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

Career
Helbig began his artistic journey in Chicago as a magazine illustrator. He worked in the city for two decades until 1969, when he relocated to Kalispell, Montana, to pursue a career as an independent artist. His artwork primarily featured scenes from the American West, with a special emphasis on cowboy life. In addition to his paintings, Helbig also created bronze sculptures.

In 1972, Helbig became a member of the Cowboy Artists of America. His works have been included in the permanent collection of the Hockaday Museum of Art in Kalispell.