Bud Spurgeon

By DAN CUNNINGHAM

HASTY — Bud Spurgeon was being interviewed when a report of a truck fire caused him to race out of Valley Grocery.

A neighbor’s pickup truck had caught on fire a few blocks away in Hasty, where he lives.

A few weeks later he was out on the road, driving a truck, and would not be back until after Christmas.

Obviously a busy man who is rooted in his community as well as the wider world, Bud has an interesting hobby — creating art from wood, barbed wire and other materials he finds innovative uses for.

Some of his work is on display at Valley Grocery, such as the mockup of the store itself as well as some rural scenes.

On the front wall is a sample of his barbed wire art.

Bud said he took up wood carving “just to use a knife.”

Though his creations are for sale, he does not advertise.

If he did, demand would pick up and he would feel “pressured to produce,” he confessed.

He prefers to express his art as a hobby.

On the day he was contacted, Bud walked into Valley Grocery holding two of his latest creations, baskets made from lariats.

He also has made doghouses, play houses and model barns.

“I have won grand champion at Bent County, Lamar, Holly and Eads,” he said.

Bud also gives a new slant for recycling, because much of the material he uses for his art is picked up at auctions and sales.

Some of his work is for sale at Valley Grocery, otherwise you’ll have to catch up with him.