So many wildlife artists start their bio’s explaining how much they have liked art, since they were young and their fascination with wildlife began at a very, very early age. Yup! My story is not so unusual or different. Even at less than two years old, I showed an interest in drawing and as anyone can see from the photo, to the left, boredom was something I've never been able to handle very well. Sitting in a chair doing nothing has just never worked well for me. Drawing turned out to be a great distraction and something I've always enjoyed. When there was nothing to do and even when there was, I could and would draw pictures.

As things turned out though, Watertown, NY was just about as great a place to grow up as I could have ever wanted. There were just so many things to do and enjoy. Boredom, as it turned out, was never an issue. Born and raised in the Thousand Island region of upstate New York, I grew up with changing seasons and a childhood filled with many memories of playing in fields, ponds and woods that were home to all kinds of birds and animals. It is this familiarity with animals and my life-long ambition to be an artist that helped convince me to leave my vocation, 16 years ago and begin a new, very enjoyable and rewarding career as a wildlife or animal nature artist.

Throughout the years, I have done several kinds of artwork, but for me, its wildlife art that allows me to combine the two things I am most passionate about: Wildlife and Art. My paintings are based on my passion for all living things and the many trips I have had the good fortune to undertake. On these trips, which have taken me all over the United States, I take opportunity to observe and understand as much of the wildlife as I can. During these trips, sketches are made, photographs are taken and information is written down. Then, back at the studio, I put all this together. Although very proficient with several mediums and techniques, I prefers acrylics for painting, sometimes combining them with ink.


Travels have taken me to California, Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, Nevada, Florida, and Alaska. In October of 2010, I took a trip to the Pacific Northwest. I stayed in the Seattle, Washington region, where I had the opportunity to enjoy places like the Olympic Peninsula, Mount Rainier and the Puget Sound. Most recently, I took a trip to the Acadia National Park in Maine. To view some photographs from these trips and others, go to the NEWS button below.

Since making my career change in 1995, I have become a member of the world-wide animal artist organizations: The Society of Animal Artists and the Artists for Conservation. My artwork has also received several acknowledgements and awards. Some of the most recent and notable acknowledgements are listed below.

Awards & Acknowledgments

  • 2011 - Federal Duck Stamp Contest - Top 21 (scored in top 10)
  • 2011 - Pennsylvania Ducks Unlimited Art Print of the Year
  • 2011 - 7th Annual Audubon “Drawn from Nature” Art Show, Audubon, PA - Honorable mention
  • 2011 - Pennsylvania Duck Stamp Competition - Second Place
  • 2011 - Maryland Black Bear Conservation Stamp Contest - Winner
  • 2011 - Delaware Duck Stamp Contest - Third place
     
  • 2010 - 1st Annual Nature & Wildlife Art Show, Jacksonville, FL - Honorable mention
  • 2010 - Wyoming Conservation Stamp Competition, Cheyenne, WY - Honorable mention
  • 2010 - Delaware Duck Stamp Contest - Winner
  • 2010 - East Carolina Wildlife Art Festival, Washington, NC - Best in Show
     
  • 2009 - Lansdale Art Festival, Lansdale, PA - First Place for acrylic & oil painting
     
  • 2008 - Pennsylvania Ducks Unlimited Art Print of the Year
  • 2008 - Pennsylvania Duck Stamp Competition - Second place
  • 2008 - North Carolina Duck Stamp Competition - Third Place

To see more images or information about commission work, please contact Steve via email or by phone.


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