Hometown: Savannah, GA

For over four decades Bernie Houston has traveled both nationally and internationally collecting driftwood with most pieces found in the Atlantic region of the United States.

 

Bernie grew up off the coast of Savannah Georgia where he was surrounded by driftwood. “The paradigm shift for me as a very young artist was selling my first sculpture right out of the box in a gallery in my own home town”.

 

Bernie studied art at the prestigious Savannah College of Art & Design. After graduation and while working as a graphic artist, he continues to present and exhibit his sculptures in galleries and art festivals across the country.

 

Because nature does not mimic itself Bernie’s creations are fifty percent nature – fifty percent the unique talent and creativity of the artist. His entire collection is one-of-a-kind and created using one solid piece of driftwood. There is not a single piece like it on the planet. Bernie believes the wood determines the nature of the piece so he meticulously chooses driftwood based on its age, shape and overall form. His sculptures take shape first with curing then careful cutting and sanding. In the final stages, Bernie’s sculptures come to life with the finishing touches of polish and paint.

 

Bernie’s gift is his ability to visualize and carve each piece of driftwood into a unique work of art. The right tools, the right style of carving, and complete attention to detail result in truly unique and wonderful masterpieces.

Hometown: Fredericksburg, VA

Stewart and Steven Wegner are twin brothers who, for over 60 years, have shared a common thread of life and art. Together, they have been creating art for more than 37 years. The combination of talent and unity which these two brothers share provides a unique catalyst in their ability to create some of the finest Wildlife art that can be found anywhere in the country.

Hometown: Golden, CO

I work in stone, wood and bronze. My inspiration is nature, but my subject matter is design, flow and balance. I have been a professional artist since 1985 as my sole income and I’m grateful to have won many awards from coast to coast in juried shows. Permanent placements include the cities of Hurst, Tx, Lenexa, KS, Jupiter, FL, Greeley, CO and Gillette, WY to name a few. An elected member of Academic Artist Association, Allied Artists of America, National Sculpture Society and Society of Animal Artists, Pati is lucky to be able to volunteer at Nature’s Educators in Aurora, CO.

Pati is the artist for the 2023 Featured Art Piece. You can learn more about the Featured Art Piece, Aesop’s Fable here.

Hometown: Milwaukee, WI

“I sculpt because I enjoy the challenge of manipulating space, I choose birds as my subject matter because they fascinate me to no end.”

 

Using birds as a point of departure for his welded sculptures, Don explores the relationship of positive and negative space and manipulates this interplay to give the impression of life and movement in his work. Although somewhat abstract, his artwork is firmly based on anatomical accuracy and fidelity to his subjects character. “I feel you should have an intimate understanding of your subject matter before you attempt to abstract it. This allows you to select which characteristics to emphasize, or de-emphasize, to portray your subject truthfully..without extraneous clutter “.

 

BACKGROUND

 

Don was born, raised, and currently lives in Milwaukee WI.
After earning his BFA from UW Milwaukee in 1995, he began sculpting part-time while partnering in the establishment of Vanguard Sculpture Services, a full service art foundry, where he specialized in the casting and fabrication of monumental bronze sculpture. In 2001 he left the foundry to focus his sculpture full time. Don also teaches an introduction to welded sculpture course at the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, and has been a yearly exhibitor at the Waterfowl Festival since 1997. He was inducted into the Festival Hall of Fame in 2017.

 

Don has exhibited his sculptures across the United States and abroad, and has had his work included the international “Bird’s in Art” Exhibition at the Leigh Yawkey Woodsen Art Museum in Wausau, WI 19 times. He was honored with the Woodson’s “Master Artist” award in 2017. He has public placements in seven states, and his work can be found in numerous museum and private collections around the world. He is also an avid bird watcher, and holds a Master class falconry permit.

Hometown: Hermosa, SD

Jim Green’s bronze sculptures originate from his time growing up in South Dakota. While his work life was spent in industrial workshops, much of his free time was spent in the outdoors nurturing a deep love of nature. As a young man he experimented in various forms and subject matter—but always returned to wildlife sculpture. Birds are a perfect expression of his desire to protect the beauty that sustains us.

 

Jim personally completes each edition’s metal finishing and patina; highlighting the work and its subtleties and enhancing the story told by each piece.

 

Jim’s sculptures and the stories they tell are found in many juried art shows, exhibitions, permanent exhibits, and private collections across the country and abroad. His work has won numerous sculpture awards, and is represented by respected galleries in Maine, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and South Dakota.

 

He is an Elected Member of the National Sculpture Society.

Hometown: Charleston, SC

I received my art degree from Appalachian State University. Following graduation, I moved to the Outer Banks of North Carolina and worked as a commercial fisherman. Continuing my education, I attended the College of Charleston to study marine biology. Deciding to pursue art over science, I moved to San Juan, Puerto Rico and trained with the artist Jan D’Esopo.  After much traveling, including two transatlantic sailing trips, I moved back to Charleston to become a full-time artist. My work is collected internationally and I am a signature member in the American Society of Marine Artists.

Hometown: Onley, VA

Since 1983, William H. and David H. Turner, a father and son team, have been designing and casting wildlife sculptures in bronze. Bill and David Turner both grew up and currently reside on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Their studios, gallery and foundry are located on Route 13 near Onley, Virginia. To date they have created more than 600 different limited edition bronzes and more than 150 large public commissions. Ranging in size from life-size mice and wrens to full size bears and dolphins, the Turners have a sculpture to fit the smallest niche in a home or to enhance the entrance of a zoo or museum. Whatever the case, the Turner’s work is a reflection of their deep appreciation and understanding of nature.

Hometown: Salado, TX

In 1972, Ronnie Wells began his professional career as a wildlife artist, as a painter and sculptor. He and his wife have owned and maintained Wells Gallery in Salada, Texas for over 28 years.

 

Mr. Wells is a nationally known artist. He has won numerous awards and exhibited his work in museums and fine are shows across the nation. He has worked with Ducks Unlimited for many years and his monumental broze sculpture “Gale Winds and Mallards” stand on the grounds of the National Ducks Unlimited headquarters in Memphis, TN.

 

Mr. Well completed a 15 ft. bronze Wildcat, which was installed in March of 2021 in front of the Temple High School, TX , commissioned for the 31st anniversary of the school.

 

Mr. Wells is also a published author. He has written several articles, as well as a children’s book, “The Legend of Catfish and Little Bream.” His latest book is titles “Calvin and the Great Tensas River Bottom.”

 

“I thrive to achieve an emotional reaction from the viewer of my work,” says Wells. “Whether its a sculpture or a painting, the object is the same. The goal is to have them feel a connection with the subject, either real or perceived.”

Hometown: Brighton, CO

Kim Shaklee, a successful wildlife and marine sculptor, distinguishes herself from other artists by her unique ability to transform static metal into effortless motion. “Fluidity of lines is of upmost importance in animals and marine life. My desire is not merely to replicate the image of an animal or a marine subject, but rather to make its essence the focal point of the sculpture.”

 

Shaklee’s works have been shown in many national and international exhibitions and are included in collections around the world, including the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., Oklahoma City Zoo, Little Rock Zoo, Azalea Park Sculpture Garden in Summerville, SC, and Benson Park Sculpture Garden in Loveland, CO.

 

Notable showings include the prestigious National Academy of Design in New York, Mystic International Maritime Exhibition, CT, Art of the Animal Kingdom, VT, and inclusion in multiple shows held at the National Arts Club and Salmagundi Club in New York.

 

Kim has received numerous awards including the Gold Medal of Honor from Allied Artists of America, the Paul Manship Memorial Award and the Anna Hyatt Huntington Bronze Medal. She has garnered several Best of Shows and People’s Choice awards from competitions held throughout the country. In November of 2019, she received the Helen G. Oehler Memorial Award in the 91st American Artists Professional League Grand National Exhibition at the Salmagundi Club, in New York for “SofistiCat”. This sculpture will also receive the Medal of Honor from the 123rd Exhibition for the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Arts Club in New York at the National Arts Club on January 31, 2020. This is their top award for sculpture.

 

Her sculptures have been the subject of several editorial features in well-known publications, including Art of the West, Southwest Art, Fine Art Connoisseur, Wildlife Art, Sporting Classics, and American Artist.

 

Kim is a Fellow and Past President of the American Society of Marine Artists. She is a Master Signature Sculptor in Women Artists of the West. Other elected memberships include; American Artists Professional League (Fellow Maximus Cum Laude), Allied Artists of America, and Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Arts Club.

 

She has served as an Officer on the Board of Directors for several national art organizations and city entities, as well as judging numerous national art events.