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Larry R. Richardson & Associates |
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Conservation Art News Winter 2009 |
Wild Wings and DU Team Up To
Create New Migration Maps
 Wild Wings artist David Maass and former Ducks Unlimited Chief Biologist, Dr. Bruce Batt, both internationally acclaimed in their fields, have combined their knowledge and skill to produce a striking set of waterfowl migration maps of North America. The signed and numbered edition of 5,000 will be sold at DU fundraising events beginning in January 2009. This is a cooperative project between Wild Wings and DU. The map set is an updated and reworked version of the landmark edition produced by artist Richard Bishop with Joseph Sims in the mid-1930s. Just as important, the new version shows current survey information for ducks and geese, some of which has changed over the last 70 years. Batt, shown here, co-signs the limited edition set illustrated by Maass, entitled Surface Feeding Ducks, Swans and Geese of North America and Diving and Sea Ducks of North America.
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2009 S.H.O.T. Show in Orlando
The premier sports shooting industry trade show sponsored by the National Sports Shooting Foundation will convene its 32nd annual meeting in Orlando, January 15-18 at the Orange County Convention Center. Come by and visit with Wild Wings in Booth #817!
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 Mathios Tells (Almost) All
Larry Richardson recently interviewed artist Peter Mathios who lives in Oregon and is published by Wild Wings. We thought you would like to see what Peter said.
Q - What influenced you to become a professional wildlife artist?
A - When I couldn't be outdoors hunting or fishing, I enjoyed reading hunting and fishing magazines, which contained fantastic paintings of both hunting and fishing scenes and of the animals and nature I often saw. Once I realized that the artists creating these paintings made a living doing so, I knew that is what I wanted to do.
Q - What achievements have influenced your career most?
A - The DU International Artist of Year award and getting juried into the Birds in Art exhibition at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. Being involved with Wild Wings has been very positive for my career as well. It is a fantastic company made up of wonderful people who work hard for their artists.
Q - What was your first reaction to being informed of your selection as IAoY for DU?
A - I was incredibly excited when I got the phone call! But, I was home alone. I started trying to call family and friends but I couldn't reach anyone to share the news. I finally reached my wife about an hour later. That night I ran the furthest I had ever run on a treadmill on pure excitement and adrenaline.
Q - Tell me about your art education.
A - I graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Fine Art. Several years after graduating, I took a couple of wildlife art workshops in Grand Teton National Park, one with Robert Bateman and another with Carl Brenders and Rod Frederick.
Q - What is your typical year like, i.e, what lead time do you like in completing a painting; how many shows will you do; do you paint commissions; range in price of your paintings; etc.
A - I tend to do 20 or so shows throughout the year. Most are originals based shows that I send my work to. Some are shows where I set up a booth and sell prints. Others are appearances at conservation dinners where they may allow me to set up a small display. I do paint commissions and complete several each year. My larger paintings may take up to several months to complete, but I have up to twelve paintings in progress at a time. The sizes and price ranges vary from $225 for small daily paintings to $15,000 for very large studio pieces. The very small paintings are completed nearly everyday except when I travel or have deadlines for larger ones. They are posted on my blog at www.petermathios.blogspot.com. I complete roughly 30 studio paintings per year on top of the daily paintings (about 150-200 per year). My favorite medium is acrylic.
Q - What avocations or hobbies influence your artwork?
A - Hunting, fishing, hiking, bird/wildlife watching, jogging, skiing - anything outdoor related....I am hopelessly hooked on the outdoors.
Q - What childhood experiences influenced your career?
A - There are many... Hunting with my dad and my brother - mostly for ducks, but also dove and quail - in California. Also, my parents bought a book about Robert Bateman and his art and I poured over it and even copied some of the pictures. When I was supposed to be doing homework, I would draw waterfowl scenes copying the images of David Maass, Harry Adamson, Bateman, Maynard Reece and many others.
Q - What do you like to achieve to make your artwork distinctive?
A - I like to get my own reference so I know that what I am painting has never been done. We have a lot of wet weather in the Pacific Northwest, so mist and fog always seem to make their way into my paintings. I really enjoy the look because it adds depth and atmosphere. I am a bit of a weather fanatic as well so I try to really get the feeling of the weather of the particular moment in my work.
Q - Tell me about your new book.
A - It's a work in progress and not yet finished. But it is a partial compilation of my bird paintings from the past decade along with field sketches and commentaries about the paintings. The book is and 8 ½" x 8 ½" soft cover, coffee table-style book.
Q - What artist living or dead has influenced your career most?
A - Wow, there are so many. But, if I had to pick one, it would be Robert Bateman. Everything he does seems to be so new and unique; there is a lot of thought behind every painting. The waterfowl paintings of David Maass and Harry Adamson have also had a profound impact on my work.
Q - What are your aspirations as a wildlife artist?
A - Artistically and technically, I would like to keep getting better and be the best artist that I can possibly be. I would also like to win the Federal Duck Stamp.
Mathios has been selected by several states for their duck stamp and Ducks Unlimited has published several of his works. With so many accomplishments already to his credit, Peter Mathios is a name to watch.
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Van Gilder's New Art Book Available
"Brushes With Nature" contains wonderful color illustrations as well as charcoal sketches by Ron Van Gilder. You will find the depiction in words by noted writer Ron Ellis very informative and entertaining. See the book at www.wildwings.com.
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Storm's Eye Lands On Three Winners
Three Scot Storm images have been picked as stamp-print designs for 2009. His talented brush strokes garnered honors for following contests:
1. Texas Duck Stamp depicting a pair of blue-winged teal
2. Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, whitetail deer
3. Minnesota Duck Stamp featuring a pair of golden-eye
Congrats, Scot!
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Wild Wings Artists Chosen for 2010 DU Art Package
After the final tally, six images by Wild Wings artists were placed in the 2010 fundraising package for Ducks Unlimited. Here are the artists and titles of their works-
- Spring Time Chatter - Wood Ducks by Scot Storm
- Tails from the Blind - Pintails by Scot Storm
- Royal Front - Canvasbacks by Scot Storm
- Coy and Decoy - Yellow Lab by John Aldrich
- Secluded Corner - Mallards by David A. Maass
- Woodland Mist - Whitetail Deer by Rosemary Millette
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Padgett's Design Wins Louisiana Duck Stamp - Tony Padgett's artistic talent has been chosen for the 2009 Louisiana Duck Stamp. Padgett's rendition of a black lab and mallards in the marshes of the Bayou State was selected as the winner! You can meet Tony at the All Canada Shows this winter in Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Indiana, Nebraska, Wisconsin and Iowa. www.allcanada.com
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Contact information:
800-985-4506 larry@larrich.com
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Contact us for: art products that work for your organization, fundraising consulting, exclusive products.
We are the exclusive representative for Wild Wings to the conservation community.
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Quote -
"I used to think that running an organization was equivalent to
conducting a symphony orchestra. But I don't think that's quite it; it's more like jazz. There is more improvisation."
Warren Bennis
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