Remembering sculptor John Houser

John Houser uses a device to show how head measuresments were made to scale. RUBEN R. RAMIREZ/EL PASO TIMES FILE

Sculptur John Houser is shown with a model of the proposed sculpture of Susan Shelby Magoffin, one of Houser's Twelve Travelers project. EL PASO TIMES FILE

Sculptor John Houser works on a clay rendering of “The Equestrian.” RUDY GUTIERREZ/EL PASO TIMES FILE

Sculptor John Houser unveils the model of the nearly 7-foot-tall head of his Don Juan de Oñate statue, eventually named “The Equestrian,” during a reception at a private home in the Upper Valley. The head was on its way from Mexico City to Santa Fe to be cast in bronze. MARK LAMBIE/EL PASO TIMES FILE

Sculptor John Houser spoke to a group people during a luncheon fundraiser and special preview unveiling of the maquette for “The Equestrian,” foreground, at the El Paso Club on the 18th floor of the Texas Commerce Bank building in Downtown El Paso on Dec. 6, 1996. EL PASO TIMES FILE

John Houser describes some of the intricate details on the chest plate of "The Equestrian." MARK LAMBIE/EL PASO TIMES FILE

The huge helmet of “The Equestrian” includes a detail design of a mounted man with a lance. The helmet on the finished bronze work is almost 36 feet above the ground. RUDY GUTIERREZ/EL PASO TIMES FILE

Sculptor John Houser said the 12 people who are on his list reflect the ethnic diversity of El Paso's past. He said some of the remaining sculptures are former Mexican President Benito Juárez, Mexican revolutionary leader Pancho Villa and an Apache medicine woman. Mark Lambie/El Paso Times file

Sculptor Ethan Houser, center, and Isabel Glasgow, great-great-grandniece of El Paso pioneer Susan Shelby Magoffin look at the bronze likeness of her during its unveiling at the Keystone Heritage Park at 4200 Doniphan Drive. The sculpture, standing about 7 feet tall, is the third in the Twelve Traveler series. Rudy Gutierrez/El Paso Times file