SEPTEMBER 2016
PA R K E R C O U N T Y T O D AY
Rylie credits the Fowlers, daughter and
grandson of Parker County Sheriff Larry Fowler,
with getting his Bare Bones Carving business
out of the chute. “If it wasn’t for them, I’m not
sure I would continue doing my skulls, because
I wouldn’t know what to do, or even be in the
position that I am. Huge credit to them, definitely.” The young artist now works for the Fowlers
who even helped him solve his transportation
problems.
“He is such a good young man who needed
a break,” Dayna Fowler said when contacted.
“My parents always told us, me and my brother
growing up, that they were always willing to
help someone who was willing to help themselves.” And Rylie was more than willing. “He’s
such a hard worker, and like a sponge.”
Sometime after hiring Rylie the Fowlers
became aware of his skull art and, understandably, were amazed.
“I didn’t know it at the time, but he had only
been doing that for like maybe a year,” Dayna
Fowler said. “He didn’t even realize how gifted
he was; he had no clue. I saw the pictures and
my mouth popped open.”
Fowler said when she saw Rylie’s work she
knew she had to have one of the skulls to gift
to her dad for Christmas. She and her brother
commissioned the piece and Rylie finished it in
50
Rylie Johnson’s starting canvas