BACK IN THE SADDLE; COWBOY ARTIST FINDS INSPIRATION AFTER FALL : THE FACTS.

Byline: Patricia Hesselbach Daily News Staff Writer

``Good Medicine'' sits on top of the table where Peter Madsen sketches in charcoal in his Simi Valley home.

The small sculpture, one of many created by Madsen at the height of a prolific artistic career, reminds him of his inner strength and gives him courage to begin a new life.

Known for his tightly detailed bronzes depicting the American Indian and the cowboy, Madsen had enjoyed measurable success in his field. An established and recognized artist since 1986, he had received numerous awards. The Westinghouse Corp., the New York Stock Exchange, Robert Duvall and Iron Eyes Cody purchased his work.

The Gene Autry Museum of Western Heritage put a collection of his bronzes on permanent display. Madsen had nowhere to go but into the ranks of renowned American artists.

Then one day in May 1993, an accident completely altered the life Madsen had so meticulously crafted. While enjoying his other great passion, participating in a Western riding competition, the artist was thrown from his horse. He sustained severe head trauma and brain damage. He fell into a deep, three-month coma.

Madsen awoke to begin a journey on a new trail, teaching his body to move again.

Modest movement in his left leg signaled the onset of his recovery. The artist also uttered his first words since the accident. During a nine-month hospital stay, followed by seven months in a transitional home setting, Madsen started his remarkable re-education process.

``I'm being born again,'' Madsen said, laughing as he recalled his first tremulous attempts to write his ABCs. The sculptor admired for intricate human anatomical application in his bronze figures had to relearn his own body parts.

``When he first began to draw figures, he would leave off a right arm,'' said his wife, Vicki. She said his drawings reflected his reality. He had to become reacquainted with his right side before he could draw a right side.

``The first sign of artwork came in 1996,'' said Vicki Madsen. For months, she had attempted to coax the artist back to work. Each time she presented him with clay, he responded, ``I can't do this right now.''

Then, one September day, a collection of artist friends paid Madsen a visit. Talking about sculpting stirred something inside him. Someone presented Madsen with a small piece of clay. He squeezed it and responded with a huge smile.

There is an ironic twist to the Peter Madsen story. Prior to his injury, the artist had been sculpting the figure of a cowboy being thrown from his horse. Four years later, Madsen has returned to work on the piece by way of surrogate sculptor, JeanCherie.

``He has the eyes and the vision. JeanCherie is his hands,'' said Vicki. ``Prophesy Fulfilled,'' like the emerging artist, is a work in progress.

Once solely dedicated to his realistic bronze work, Madsen now finds creative expression in a more free-form bas-relief style of sculpture, charcoal sketches and computer graphics.

His computer generated designs will soon grace greeting cards. Close friend and personal attendant, Patrick Grant, saw the work turned out by Madsen and suggested ``Greetings from Eagle Vision.'' Postcards featuring photos of Madsen's bronzes will complement the collection.

Seldom is heard a discouraging word from this cowboy artist who pledges to make his own way in life. Back in the saddle again, he is rebuilding weak muscles through a structured therapeutic horseback riding program.

When asked about his attitude toward life since the accident, Madsen exuberantly replied, ``Go for it!'' When asked what his former attitude toward life was, he again replied, ``Go for it

''

On Aug. 2, from 6 to 9 p.m., a celebration of life will take place at the Los Angeles Equestrian Center in Burbank. This special fund-raiser will feature a Wild West Show, raffle, art auction and equestrian entertainment. Proceeds from the art auction will contribute to the artist's ongoing recovery.

Works by Neil Hoyle, Mario Jason, Michael Horse, Steve Nightawk, Max Turner and eight other artists will be auctioned at the event. For additional information and directions, call Vicki Madsen at [phone].

Bronzes by Madsen on display at the Autry Museum of Western Heritage are for sale. Call [phone] for information.

WHAT: ``Celebration of life.''

WHEN: 6 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 2.

WHERE:Los Angeles Equestrian Center, Burbank.

SCHEDULE:E.T.I. Double Point Open Horse Show, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., along with raffle, art auction, quick draw, Phil Spangenberger's American Adventure Wild West Shows and other Equestrian Entertainment.

COST: $5 donation.

INFORMATION:[phone].

CAPTION(S):

3 Photos

Photo: (1--Color only in Simi edition) Vicki Madsen helps secure paper for her husband who is finding new kinds of artistic expression.

(2--Color) Peter Madsen poses by bronze sculptures he made before his horse-riding accident.

(3--Ran in Simi edition only) Peter Madsen's works are on display at the Gene Autry Museum of Western Heritage.

Michael Owen Baker/Daily News