2022 Featured Artists RUSS DUERKSEN
Russ grew up in eastern South Dakota. He spent a lot of time on his grandparents farm and exploring the outdoors. Exploring the outdoors inspired Russ to sketch the wildlife that he saw. This led him to a commercial art career and then to his dream of becomining a full time professional artist. Russ enjoys entering art contests in which he has recived: 2008 Oklahoma Waterfowl Stamp, 2003 Nominated for the Sioux Falls Mayor's Award for Excellence in Visual Arts, 2000 & 1999 SD Migratory Bird Stamp, 1999 Delaware Migratory Waterfowl Stamp, 1997 SD Habitat Stamp, 1996, 95, & 91 SD Waterfowl Stamps. plus numerus conservation art contests for Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited and Isaac Walton League.
Russ is a painter of nature and wildlife in their natural habitat. He begins by photographing wildlife and their habitat. He uses these photos to sketch and create the original acrylic painting. The photo trips are a great way for Russ to see and understand his subject. The majority of his subjects have been prairie wildlife but he has also added subjects from the mountains and the northwoods. Russ enjoys the callenge of new subjects he hasn't painted before.