Art and animals—the two are inseparable as far as sculptor Mick Doellinger is concerned. Although art and animals have always been his destiny, his path to career artist was anything but conventional. In fact, it’s the stuff legends are made of. Mick Doellinger (Texas) Excel Bronze 32.5″H By 51″L By 24″W I was commissioned to create this piece for an international marketing company. It stands in the lobby of the company’s headquarters to remind associates of their commitment to excellence. Mick Doellinger (Texas) Full Of Himself Bronze 21″H By 26″L By 9″W With this piece, I wanted to portray a
Read More
Archives for Wildlife
A Visual Journal of My Life
As this roper worked his magic during our dry summer, the dust swirled and obscured everything until his pale horse merged with the sunlit haze. It was a rare opportunity to see the abstraction of shadows and to paint a light-toned cowboy vignette with great lines and tension. I’m looking forward to exploring this artistic concept further. Krystii Melaine (Washington) Pale Roper Oil 28″ By 28″ As this roper worked his magic during our dry summer, the dust swirled and obscured everything until his pale horse merged with the sunlit haze. It was a rare opportunity to see the abstraction
Read More
For the Love of Art
While many great gallery owners and artists make our business special, we chose to visit with a few of them and ask them to share thoughts about what they do. John Coleman (Arizona) 1804, The Newcomers Bronze 37″ High Morgan Weistling End Of Harvest Oil 34″ By 50″ Morgan Weistling Emmie’s Rose March/April 1999 Howard Terpning (Arizona) Among The Spirits Of The Long-Ago People Oil 42″ By 40″ Frank Johnson Night Time In The Canyon Oil 24″ By 18″ Bill Anton (Arizona) Branding At Red Bluff Oil 16″ By 20″
Read More
On His Way
Discovering evocative imagery created by emerging artists is one of the most exciting and rewarding perks of spending time at galleries and special exhibitions. For this reason, art enthusiasts will want to look for works by Dustin Van Wechel, a wildlife painter whose name ranks high on the list of young artists who are beginning to capture the attention of collector’s throughout the country. Dustin Van Wechel Alternate Route Oil 40″ By 30″ The concept for this painting is about the contrast of textures—the rugged surfaces of the rock contrasted by the softness of the mountain goats and the water.
Read More
Switching Gears
George Carlson will celebrate his 72nd birthday in July, but he has the energy, physically as well as intellectually, of a man several decades younger. His enthusiasm as he talks about his life and his art is palpable. And no wonder—both have been fulfilling beyond what he could have imagined as a young boy growing up in Illinois. George Carlson (Idaho) Third-Year Hunt Oil 42″ By 42″ The bone white of the prostrate cottonwood supports a 3-year-old bald eagle in juvenile plumage. It was the tree that mesmerized me. George Carlson (Idaho) Descendent Of A War Horse Bronze 18″ High
Read More
Walking on the Wild Side
Luke Frazier is young, he\’s talented, and he represents a generation of young artists who will carry on the traditions of wildlife art masters such as Carl Rungius and Bob Kuhn. Luke Frazier (Utah) Pouncer Oil 16″ By 20″ Fox in the snow are a beautiful subject to paint—the warm, full colors of their winter pelage, juxtaposed against the cool colors of shadows and snow. Here, a true veteran listens for minute sounds under the snow, then in an explosion, leaps and dives nose first into the crusted snow, pinning the prey. Luke Frazier (Utah) Old Timer Oil 36″ By
Read More
It’s About Showing Power
Vigor: The word seems slightly old fashioned in this day of non-stop dependence on technology. Yet Greg Kelsey relies on it to express his attitude about life—and art. “I don’t know what life would be like without vigor,” he says. Greg Kelsey (Colorado) Jicarilla Mustang Bronze 12″ High This is a tribute to the wild horses in our region. Greg Kelsey (Colorado) Trying To Collect A Buck Bronze 18″ High No matter the subject, it is my belief that form is the most significant thing about a sculpture. Tryin’ to Collect a Buck is no exception. It is a powerful
Read More
Answering the Call of the Wild
It’s been 50 years since Gerald Balciar left his hometown of Medford, Wisconsin, and drove west to Denver, Colorado. One of the biggest and best taxidermy shops in the country had offered him a job at $1.25 an hour—and that was enough to entice the 19-year-old Balciar to leave home. Plus, he knew that in Colorado he would finally see live mule deer, antelope, and elk. Gerald Balciar (Colorado) Up, Up And Away Bronze 21″ High I wanted a composition of rising mallards that would look good from all angles without a back side. I needed the cattails for suspension,
Read More
Sculpture Has to Be Intellectually Beautiful
In 1975, when Maryland sculptor Walter Matia graduated from Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, he’d already been an active member of the art world for nearly 12 years. With diploma in hand, he set out for Arlington, Virginia. Despite having earned a degree in art design and being an intaglio printmaker, Matia preferred to secure his future using the skills he had honed while earning a degree in biology. Walter Matia (Maryland) High Water Mallards Bronze 80″ High Put corn in water and watch for the warden; bring water to corn, breathe easy and wait with your dog in the
Read More
Opportunity Knocked; He Answered
A common denominator in the lives of many successful artists is being blessed early in their careers by connecting with professionals who are willing to share their time and talents. Wildlife painter Brian Grimm was fortunate to have been mentored by two of Texas’ most respected painters: landscapist Dalhart Windberg and wildlife painter Ken Carlson. Brian Grimm (Texas) Crossing The Snake 24″ By 30″ The idea for this painting was to have the viewer hear the water moving, as a moose crosses the Snake River in this peaceful morning scene. Brian Grimm (Texas) Globetrotter Oil 24″ By 36″ My wife
Read More