Laura Mark-Finberg’s paintings have been described as “windows unto the soul” of the animals she paints., During a career that has spanned more than thirty years Laura has explored a vast array of subjects in her quest to help the viewer understand a little more about the animals she paints. Laura is meticulous in her research and attention to detail and demonstrates a flawless search for truth in each painting.

 

Traveling extensively, her trips have included such divergent places as the Himalayas in both Afghanistan and Kashmir (pre-Russian invasion) to the undersea world off the coast of Venezuela. Laura believes, “it’s the research that keeps paintings fresh and alive. As artists of nature, we personally need to reach out and touch our subject matter. It gives a reality and legitimacy to the work that being sequestered in a studio does not.”

 

Laura is a signature member of the “Society of Animal Artists”. She was the “Featured Artist” at the National Wildlife Art Show in Kansas City in 1998, the Nature Works Show in Tulsa, Oklahoma in 2008 and, most recently, was selected by the Pa Game Commission to be the Featured Artist during their 50th anniversary celebration of their Middle Creek Wildlife Wildlife Management Area.

 

In 2018 Laura received one of her greatest honors. To be recognized by your peers; she was selected by the late great artist Sir John Seery Lester to receive the Roger Tory Peterson Foundation Award for “Outstanding achievement in depicting the natural world” at the annual Susan K Black Foundation Artist Conference in DuBois, Wyoming.

 

Laura’s work has appeared on the cover of a number of national and regional magazines including the fondly remembered “Wildlife Art News “. Laura continues to be involved in conservation organizations.

 

As a tribute to her father’s influence, she continues to sign her original work using her maiden name, “MARK”.

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: Palm Coast, FL

For as long as I can remember, I have always had a special fascination with nature. To know that I have captured the subject of the scene as it really is in its natural setting is a true encouragement. To do a portrait type picture, to bring out their comical or even human characteristics as we often see them is true encouragement and enjoyment. I take full advantage of the wildlife and its’ habitats by observing and photographing in my backyard here in Palm Coast.

Hometown: Milford, DE

Richard Clifton was born in Delaware in 1961. He lives on a historic family farm adjoining the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, where he is surrounded by inspiration for his art. He is a self-taught artist who has chosen acrylics as his medium.

 

Waterfowl being one of his favorite subjects, he has gone on to paint 53 duck stamps from various states, including the 1996 Australian Duck Stamp and the 2007-2008 Federal Duck Stamp. Recently he won the 2020 Federal Duck Stamp Contest with a painting of a Lesser Scaup drake. This is his second win in the Federal and the image will grace the 2021-2022 stamp.

 

Richard’s work has been displayed in many of the top wildlife art shows throughout the country, including the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition and the Easton Waterfowl Festival, to name a few. Richard’s work has been chosen several times for the D.U. National Art Package. Also he has been named D.U. Artist of the Year 3 times and is the first to win in back to back years. He has appeared in the documentary the “Million Dollar Duck”, and on “D.U. TV” in an episode about his Wildlife Art, Conservation efforts and Waterfowl hunting on his farm.

 

He is a casual birder and an avid hunter of waterfowl, deer and upland game and uses his experiences in the field as inspiration for his work.

Hometown: Tilghman, MD

Sandy Alanko has a master’s degree in art, studied Renaissance art in Florence, Italy, and taught art in public and private schools for thirty years. On a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts she learned firsthand about Native American art forms while on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona. And, along with the science teacher from her school, Sandy took 15 students to the Amazon Rainforest of Peru to study the art and culture of the Riberanos, as well as to learn about the rainforest ecosystem.

 

Sandy’s other passion besides art, has been her lifelong fascination and reverence for animals and wild places. She is an avid birder and kayaker and loves the salt marshes, ponds, forests and shorelines that surround her Tilghman Island home.

 

For part of each winter, Sandy and her husband manage a Smithsonian Research field station located on the barrier coral reef of Belize where they assist biologists from all over the world in their work to conserve the magnificent, but threatened coral reef ecosystem.

 

Although Sandy paints in all media she has developed a watercolor technique which features 3D elements. These may include wings that protrude outward or portions on an image that spill out onto the mat, adding depth, texture and interest to the painting.

 

She hopes that her portrayal of animals and natural landscapes inspire a desire to protect and preserve our precious wild heritage.