Rick Kelley

Rick Kelley

Rick can trace his interest in art and the outdoors to his childhood, which was spent living in both Montana and Minnesota. "My interest in wildlife and the outdoors began in Minnesota," says Kelley, "but my love of western art and particularly the art of Charles M. Russel developed because of the time I spent in Montana. My first painting subjects combined both fields--I painted western wildlife... mule deer and antelope." After graduating from Kellogg High School in Roseville, Minnesota, Kelley studied art for two years at Easter Montana University. In 1980 he moved to Hudson, Wisconsin, where he and his family opened a frame and art gallery to promote and sell Rick's paintings. Today, Kelley and his wife Gisele work toegether to promote and publish Rick's work. From their home and studio near Stillwater, Minnesota, Rick finds ample inspiration for his paintings in the form of ducks, geese, deer and pheasants. Rendered in acrylic, Rick's paintings have won numerous awards, including the Eagle Conservation Print of the Year and the People's Choice Award at the Minnesota Wildlife Heritage Show. His work has also been widely exhibited and was selected for the 1989 "Birds in Art" exhibition sponsored by the Leigh Yawkley Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, Wisconsin. In 1990, he was the first runner-up in the Federal Duck Stamp Competition after a fourth round tie-breaker. Rick has long been active in Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever and often donates his original paintings and limited edition prints to be used to raise funds for the cause of wildlife conservation.

Artwork:

American Heritage Soaring the Peaks

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