One Step at a Time

Paul Rhymer had just received one of the biggest honors of his artistic life, and he was making those noises humble people make—noises that sound an awful lot like, “Why did they pick me?”

In this case, “they” would be the folks who organize and conduct the annual Birds in Art event in Wausau, Wisconsin, who selected Rhymer as Master Wildlife Artist of 2023. A longtime attraction of the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, Birds In Art has included works by thousands of avian artists from around the world.

Most years—not all—they select a Master Wildlife Artist. And Rhymer was just getting used to the fact that he had been given the honor for his work in bronze, many of which will be on display during the event, which will be conducted the week after Labor Day. “It’s the honor of my career,” he says from his home in Washington, D.C. “It’s such a big deal for me.

Read the full article in the September/October 2023 issue.