July 26, 2023
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October 19, 2022
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Don Rambadt
“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.
May 20, 2022
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Paul Rhymer
Hometown: Point of Rocks, MD
Paul comes from a family of artists and has drawn and painted his whole life. After receiving an Associate of Arts degree from a local college in 1984, he accepted a job at the Smithsonian Institution doing taxidermy and model making and retired in 2010. In the late 90’s as a result of so much three-dimensional work in his museum job, his own personal artwork gradually began to transform from painting and drawing into sculpture. Being an avid birder, waterfowl hunter, and taxidermist gives him constant anatomy and behavioral learning experiences that inspire his sculpture.
Paul’s work has been exhibited in such prestigious art shows such as the National Sculpture Society, the Society of Animal Artists and Birds in Art. His wildlife sculpture is at the National Zoo, National Museum of Natural History, the Denver Zoo, Woodson Art Museum, Hiraim Blauvelt Museum and various public buildings and parks and private collections thought the US. He is on the Board of Directors for the Society of Animal Artists.
May 20, 2022
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Fred Boyer
Hometown: Anaconda, MT
Fred Boyer is an internationally acclaimed artist whose impressive wildlife bronzes grace the home of President George W. Bush and General Schwarzkopf, as well as galleries and shows around the world. His awards include; Safari Club International Featured Artist 2013, the first time a sculptor has been chosen. He achieved Calgary Stampede Artist choice in 2009.
Growing up in Anaconda, Montana he graduated from Montana State University with a degree in Art. He taught school in Alaska, returning to Montana in 1974 where he continued to teach until he began sculpting full time. He has been an avid guide, hunter, and conservationist which continue to influence his perspective as an artist.
May 19, 2022
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Al Jordan
Hometown: Rochester, NY
Al Jordan began his career in bird sculpture over 25 years ago by carving a Bufflehead decoy – it won every competition entered. Since that time he has won over 100 Best In Show awards throughout the U.S., and recently placed 3rd best in the world at the prestigious Ward World Championship Wildfowl Carving Competition. He is the author of one of Stackpole’s best selling workshop carving guides, Half-Sized Osprey, and regularly writes articles for Wildfowl Carving and Collecting Magazine.
Jordan is a highly respected and sought after carving show judge, judging competitions at all levels, from Novice to Professional and is also a gifted carving teacher, with many of his students winning awards at local, regional and national competitions. As an integral part of his ongoing development as an artist, Jordan is also a Master Falconer, and is recognized as one of the most successful falconers on the East Coast.
May 18, 2022
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David Turner
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.
May 11, 2022
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Nancy Tankersley
Hometown: Easton, MD
During her life as a painter, Nancy Tankersley has moved fluidly from portraiture to still life and figurative paintings and finally on to plein air landscapes. “I think it is important for contemporary artists to capture the land and the people as they are today. I do not try to romanticize or invent my subjects, but I do try to show the beauty of the ordinary. People engaged in their occupations, enjoying their leisure time by eating, shopping or just strolling down a street, as well as abandoned and often overlooked landscapes … all of these are ordinary subjects, which can make extraordinary paintings. I try to paint from life as much as possible so that my work has the authenticity that comes from capturing a moment in time.”
The breath of her themes has enabled her to draw what she has learned from each and apply that knowledge with conviction in each painting. In “Still Floating”, Tankersley draws upon her skill with the figure in capturing the gesture of the lone waterman oaring his way to his old moored workboat, checking its hull and lines and making sure she is still afloat. As one can see by the numerous boats that have meet a watery end, this is a task that a good waterman must attend to frequently. I started this painting as a plein air painting, drawn by the light, but ended up adding the figure and placing the half submerged hulls as design elements to encase the lone figure. I’ve always enjoyed capturing the gesture of the figure and especially that of figures at work.” In the past two decades she has explored workers of the restaurant industry, first responders, landscapers, airport workers, dancers and even cowboys!
Her work was recently accepted into the first online International Exhibition of Marine Art which includes the work of artists from US, Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Australia. The artist is represented by the Trippe Gallery in Easton, Maryland; Anderson Gallery in St. Simons, Georgia; and Gallery 330 in Fredricksburg, Texas.
Tankersley enjoys teaching and mentoring other artists and will continue teaching virtually as well as in Portugal, Georgia and Italy. Her instructional DVD’s, Painting Figures from Photographs and Essential Principles of painting, is available through Lillidahl Instructional Videos.
May 11, 2022
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Jill Basham
Hometown: Trappe, MD
Jill’s work is typically quiet, often with muted colors and purposefully simple design. She is dedicated to conveying the light, atmosphere, and “feeling” of the landscapes she paints and wants to evoke an emotional reaction. Basham paints in her Maryland studio near the Chesapeake Bay, as well as outdoors, in locations both far and near. She is comfortable allowing each painting and its subject to lead her on an exploratory, experimental journey, as this approach often yields the most unexpected and visually exciting results.
Basham has been consistently drawn to expansive, atmospheric views; whether it’s observing Chicago from above or looking out from a mountaintop in Georgia.
Having earned numerous awards and honors, some of Basham’s more recent accomplishments include a 2022 Oil Painters of America Wet Paint Award from respected artist, Dave Santillanes; “Best of Show”, in Plein Air Easton (modified for 2020); “Best of Show” for her work at the Door County Plein Air Invitational by C.W. Mundy, master artist; and the “Judges Award” at Olmsted Plein Air for two different works by both Peter Trippi, editor-in-chief of Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine; and Kelly Kane, editor-in-chief of Plein Air Magazine.
Jill is pleased to be an Associate member of Oil Painters of America. She is also a member of The American Impressionist Society; as well as two historic art organizations, The Washington Society of Landscape Painters and The Salmagundi Club, NYC.
Gallery representation includes Reinert Fine Art, the 2023 OPA Convention’s hosting gallery.
May 11, 2022
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Julia Rogers
Hometown: Easton, MD
“I have an endless desire to paint and over the years I have worked in several mediums and gradually developed a distinctive style that is seen today in my oil paintings. I also paint a wide variety of subjects. It is important to expand and try new things and push into different areas. Painting en plain air, figurative work and portraiture are all part of my discipline. Extensive travel is also documented in my portfolio. Many periods of growth in my paintings can be attributed to reference trips I have taken. Wildlife has been very inspirational to my work.”
May 11, 2022
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Volodymyr Piven
Hometown: Kyiv, Ukraine
The art of Volodymyr Piven is like the unity of something unknown, yet complete. It’s a momentum that becomes eternity. It is an effort to combine different techniques and styles, a continual search for new forms. He is highly recognizable among modern artists because of his thorough skills of paintbrush use and the exclusive vividness of his works. His paintings express the enjoyment of life. The most delightful moments of existence are reflected on the canvas, becoming precious parts of the physical world. The artist makes us feel thankful for this life.
Volodymyr tries to embrace the universe, look into its tiniest corners. He strives to hand over all his feelings to people who care – friends and family, to an unknown stranger, so that everyone would find his own quiet place there. His paintings radiate good taste and harmony on every patch of the canvas. He imagines and, just like every artist, dreams, of decorating his own life with this imaginary perfection. Persistent search, experiments, unceasing self-perfection make his creations manifold, diverse and unforgettable. Look at his arts, rest from the city rush, allow yourself to relax. Feel the brightness of colors and the shimmering of lines. Recall moments of happiness. Observation of these works brings the understanding that everything is not bad at all if we were given this land with its trees and grass, this sky with its majesty. Beautiful things are so close. Just stretch your hand and all the moments of life are YOURS. Just wish and believe.
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