Coloring Metal Sculptures: The Magical Works of Ricardo Breceda

There is something magical about Ricardo Breceda's metal sculptures. Perhaps because they evolved from his little daughter's request for her father to build a dinosaur for her, not many fathers would acquiesce to such a request. But his little girl was his princess and he aimed to please. He built the dinosaur and went on to build many more dinosaurs, horses, and elephants.

His small menagerie caught the attention of millionaire Dennis Avery who commissioned Breceda to build 131 different metal sculptures scattered on his property in Borrego Valley with the most dramatic creature being a fantasy giant dragon that dives under the road and has a rattlesnake tail. The Borrego Valley sculptures have become a major attraction for Borrego Springs.

Today, Ricardo's sculptures can be found scattered about southern California in such places as Twentynine Palms at the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park, Cabazon and the Palm Springs area, La Quinta, Norco, Temecula, Aguanga, Ocotillo Wells, Idyllwild, and even Jacumba. Now you can add your own magical touch to stagecoaches, Pleistocene animals, historical characters, dinosaurs, bighorn sheep, snakes, monkeys, and various other assorted animals.