The Art of  Peter Mathios

Contact: Chris Jennings
(901) 758-3732
cjennings@ducks.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Peter Mathios named Ducks Unlimited International Artist of the Year
Wildlife artists contribute to raising millions for habitat conservation
 

MEMPHIS, Tenn., Feb. 18, 2008 – Renowned wildlife artist Peter Mathios of Albany, Oregon, is the Ducks Unlimited 2009 International Artist of the Year. His painting, “Evening Sprig,” earned him the top honor.

“This is just very exciting,” said Mathios. “When I was a kid, I followed the art of great wildlife artists like David Maass and that was so inspirational. It’s amazing, and it’s an honor to have my painting contribute to the DU conservation effort.”

Mathios began sketching waterfowl as a young kid, and knew he wanted to become a wildlife artist. His inspiration comes from the lasting images of days spent in the fields hunting waterfowl with his father.

Bass Pro Shops will sponsor Mathios’ painting. Print sales at DU events across the country will benefit DU’s wetlands and waterfowl habitat conservation work.

“Congratulations and thanks go to Peter for dedicating his exceptional talents to our conservation work,” said Don Young, DU’s executive vice president. “Ducks Unlimited is fortunate to work with many of the world's premier wildlife artists through its international art program. These talented men and women are responsible for helping raise more than $250 million for DU’s conservation mission. We look forward to raising even more with Peter’s help and other artists like him.”

This is the third year the public voted for the winner through an online “People’s Choice” competition. DU featured nine finalists on the Web. The other finalists were Richard Clifton, Phillip Crowe, Bruce Miller, Ralph McDonald, Jim Killen, Jon Aldrich, Scot Storm, and George Lockwood.

“We had an overwhelming response of more than 13,000 online votes, compared to about 4,500 last year,” said Jane Bush, DU’s manager of product marketing. “This is such a beautiful painting which DU members are sure to enjoy.”

With more than a million supporters, Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest and most effective wetland and waterfowl conservation organization with almost 12 million acres conserved. The United States alone has lost more than half of its original wetlands − nature’s most productive ecosystem − and continues to lose more than 80,000 wetland acres each year.

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