NEW American Heritage Collection

Royal Plush Raschel Throw Super Soft Warm Durable Blanket

Description

Artist Story:

Joe Hautman creator of  "Blacks Labs" (Two Labradors)

Joe Hautman, the eldest of the three brothers, brought home the Federal Duck Stamp honors in 1992, 2002, 2008 and 2012. He has designed several state wildlife stamps and his artwork has been used to raise funs for many non-profit conservation groups including Ducks Unlimited,  the National Wild Turkey Federation, and the Sierra Club. Painting is a second career for Joe who holds a PhD in Theoretical Physics. Joe is one of the acclaimed Hautman Brothers who have established themselves among America's foremost wildlife artists.

All three brother have received numerous honors and awards, and have dominated many state and national duck stamp competitions. At last count, the three brothers have seen their art featured on over 46 state and federal stamps. James, Robert and Joe are the only brothers ever to win the coveted Federal Duck Stamp Contest. The talents of the Houtman Brothers as well as their unique family gift have been featured in the film FARGO. They have received national accolades from newspapers such as USA TODAY,  THE WASHINGTON POST, MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE  and FUR-FISH-GAME  and NORTH AMERICAN HUNTER  magazines. The Hautmans' creations have been personally presented to the president in the OVAL OFFICE and are part of permanent collection of the SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE in Washington D.C. in 2003 the three Hautman Brothers were selected to design a series of endangered species stamps for the Unite Nations.

While the majority of the Hautman Brothers designs are North American wildlife, they have also painted a variety of animals from around the world such as tigers, panda, and penguins.

Terry Doughty creator of  "Grizzly Bunch (3 Grizzly Bears)" , "Night Watch Owl", "Hunting We Will Go" and " Leaders of the pack (2 wolves)"

Terry, a self thought artist who entered the wildlife art field 16 years ago after a hiatus from art for 18 years, finds his work at endless inspiration, Every once in a while, you put out a really spectacular piece where everything comes together. But an artist is the same as musician; he never stops learning! Always learning some little brush stroke or use of light that will make your next painting easier to do. It's a learning process that keeps going; never ending. Terry lives his art. An avid fisherman and hunter, he does not separate the outdoor experience from his work. Instead he continues the experience on canvas. "If I'm out fishing and catch a bluegill, I'll sit and hold the bluegill in my hand looking at the colors in it. If I see ducks coming in, I'll remember what color the water is, how the light hits the side of the hill. When I'm out at hunting. I always have my camera with me. I;ll see the trees when the sun is going down and glow is coming off the trees and take a picture of it. When the photo come back, it's just not just a group of trees, but I'm looking at something different-I'm looking at the light."

Color and light are central to Doughty's award-winning paintings, but equally evident are the sense of proportion and naturalness with which he approaches his subject. He applies his concern for authenticity to his animal subjects as well. Experience as taxidermist taught him attention to musculature and skeletal detail. He turns to references like full mount deer manikins, the Milwaukee Public Museum, the Milwaukee County Zoo, a collection of zoological books and an accumulation of photos and sketches to ensure the accuracy of his  subject's stance and movement.

As an avid fisherman, hunter and  outdoors man, Terry has maintained a lifelong commitment to wildlife an preservation of their habitat.

Victoria Schultz creator of "Tango and cash (2 Horses )" and "Dust Busting (3 horses)"

Victoria was born to an artistic family in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Her love of the outdoors started at a very early age and naturally progressed to painting the wildlife she saw.

The path wasn't always a smooth one from dream to reality. While pursuing a B.F.A. in collage, he was discouraged from portraying nature and realism by his professors. She travels extensively to gather reference photos for her paintings.

Her favorite reference trips include Yellowstone, Alaska and Africa. Victoria recognizes the importance of observing her subjects in their natural surroundings. "The key to knowing your subject come from intensive research of anatomy, behavior and habitat. The actual painting time of a piece is only a fraction of the work; the rest is research."

Victoria has been featured artist at numerous art shows and had solo shows at galleries all over the country. Her work has been featured in magazines and books, including most recently the cover of the Paint Horse Journal. Her painting, Princes of the Serengeti, is include in the Best of Wildlife Art 2. Victoria is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America, Worldwide Nature Artist Group and the Society of Animal Artists.

She currently lives in Elk River, Minnesota with her husband John, three dogs, a chinchilla seven birds and their three horses.

Al Agnew creator of  "Master of Light (Cougar/Mountain Lion)" ,"Running Wild (Fox)", "Howling Moon (Wolves)", "Second Glance (Wolf)", "Sunlight (Elk)" , "Looking for love (Elk)" and "Early Snow (Deer)"

To view an Al Agnew original is to be given the gift of a moment suspended in time. Whether on safari in Africa, trekking across the wilds of Alaska, floating a trout stream, or roaming his native Ozarks, Agnew focuses all his attention on his subjects with the intensity of a predator. The sights, sounds, even the air that is breathed are channeled from his eye and mind to the stroke of his brush in exquisite detail.

It is the culmination of his knowledge, love, and respect for the natural world, combined with his extraordinary skill of interpretation, that have made him one of the world's most sought after wildlife artists.

His rare talent has been effective in advocating the conservation of our natural resources, and has earned him numerous honors and awards. Millions of dollars have been raised to benefit wildlife though such organizations as Ducks Unlimited, The National Wild Turkey Federation, The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the Black Bass Foundation, and the Wolf Recovery Project. One of Agneyw's greatest feelings of satisfaction is visiting Yellowstone to watch the wolves whose presence he was in some small way instrumental in returning to their rightful place in our greatest National Park.

James Meger creator of "Edge of Town (Owl)" & "Wolf Moon"

James A. Meger couldn't remember a time in his life that he didn't want to be an artist. His rural upbringing and his love of nature were the inspiration s of his paintings and he often dreamed of combining these loves with a career.

The path wasn't always a smooth one from dream to reality. While pursuing a B.F.A in college, he was discouraged from portraying nature and realism by his professors.

After completing his degree, he served as a combat officer in Vietnam for 14 months. Eventually, he ended up teaching back in Minnesota, but he still dreamed of painting. With a lot of outside encouragement, he gave up teaching and six weeks later won the Minnesota State Duck Stamp Competition for 1980. His career took off from that point garnering numerous awards including over 15 Best of Show and Popular Choice awards at major national shows around the country. James also worked diligently with conservation organizations and has been awarded the Pheasants Forever Artist of the Year 6 times.

James died of cancer on August 25, 2011 and is survived by his wife, Laurene; and daughter, Elise. While the terrible disease may have taken him from his family and friends, his unique spirit that touched so many, and his beautiful wildlife paintings will remain forever.

Collin Bogley creater of "Sleepy Time Bear (Polar Bear)" and "Blue Ice (a close-up face of a Leopard)

In the ten years since he burst onto the art scene, award winning artist Collin Bogle has created a national following for his strikingly realistic wildlife and floral images. The son of a famous American artist, Collin learned the concepts of technique, composition and design from his father, later refining his skills and setting gout on his own artistic path. His remarkable ability to capture detail and to master the use of light in natural settings become hallmarks of his work.

"Light plays a major role in may worked," states the artist. "An abundance of light and shadows creates a playground for me, and allows a painting's painting are not limited to any one subject or medium and demonstrate great flexibility and technical versatility. Bogle uses pastels, colored pencils, watercolor and acrylics, whatever it takes to create the superbly-lighted, realistic and almost photographic images ant have gained him an impressive reputation and following.

Collin Bogle has exhibited in art shows through the Unite States and his originals are on display in prominent galleries nationwide.

Robert Houtman creator of "Penguin Mountain"

Robert Houtman's career was launched in 1987 with his Federal Duck Stamp competition win. Since then he has gone on to win numerous awards and duck stamps, including the Federal Duck Stamp twice. He was recently chosen to be the 2013 Pheasants Forever Artist of the Year. Robert is one of the acclaimed Hautman Brothers who have established themselves among America's foremost wildlife artists. All three brothers have received numerous honors and awards, and have dominated many state and national duck stamp competitions.

At last count, the three brothers have seen their art featured on over 46 state and federal stamps. James, Rober and Joe are the only brothers ever to win the coveted Federal Duck Stamp Contest. The talents of the Hautman Brothers as well as their unique family gift have been featured in the film FARGO. They have received nation accolades from newspapers such as  USA TODAY,  THE WASHINGTON POST, MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE  and The ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, as well as TIME, US NEWS & WORLD REPORT, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, U.S. ART, FUR-FISH-GAME and  NORTH AMERICAN HUNTER magazines. The Hautmans' creations have been personally presented to the president in the OVAL OFFICE and are part of the permanent collection of the SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE in Washington D.C. In 2003 the three Hautman Brothers were selected to design a series of endangered species stamps for the United Nations. While the majority of the Hautman Brothers designs are North American wildlife, they have also painted a variety of animals from around the world such as tigers, pandas and penguins.

James Hautman creator of "Flying High Eagle", "Wild Tails at Sunrise", Howl at the Moon".

James Houtman's career took off in 1989 when, at the age of 25, he became the youngest artist in history to win the prestigious Federal Duck Stamp Award. He has since won three more times, becoming the first artist in competition history to win four times. Most recently Jim won the 2011 Federal Duck Stamp competition and was chosen as the Ducks Unlimited 2011 Artist of the Year. James i one of the acclaimed Hautman Brothels who have established themselves among America's foremost wildlife artists.

All three brothers have received numerous honors and awards, and have dominated many state and national duck stamp competitions. At last count, the three brothers have seen their art featured on over 46 state and federal stamps. James, Robert, and Joe are the only brothers ever to win the coveted Federal Duck Stamp Contest. The talents of the Houtman Brothers as well as their unique family gift have been featured in the film FARGO. They have received nation accolades from newspapers such as USA TODAY, THE WASHINGTON POST, MINNEAPOLIS STAR TRIBUNE   and THE ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, as well as TIME, USA NEWS & WORLD REPORT, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, U.S. ART, FUR-FISH0GAME and NORTH AMERICAN HUNGER magazines. The Hautmans' creations have been personally presented to the president in the OVAL OFFICE and are part of the permanent collection of the SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTE in Washington D.C. In 2003 the three Hautman Brothers were selected to design a series of endangered species stamps for the United Nations.

While the majority of the Hautman Brothers designs are North American wildlife, they have also painted a variety of animals from around the world such as tigers, pandas and penguins.

Val Warner creator of "Snow Tiger"

Nestled in her home among beautiful mountaintops, Val Warner paints the world around her with depth and reverence. Drawing from her spirituality and her inspiring surroundings., Warner has a profound and deep respect for nature and its creatures. Capturing their essence on her canvas brings her great joy. Warner has been inspired to paint all of her life and was considered by some to be a young prodigy.

Putting her art on hold as she raised her busy family, she has now returned full time to her passion; painting. "For the first 25 years of my adult life I was an active and fun mom of two sports involved kids. Once they had grown and left our home, my journey came full circle as I began to develop myself as a professional artist again."

Her realistic style shows her subjects in a way that causes the viewer to stop and take notice. With a focus on living creatures and the play of light, her subjects come to life with power or a sweet gentleness, drawing the viewer into their world. "I have always used oils and find they lend themselves to the luminosity and depth I need to show in my paintings."

Today Val lives with her husband Chuck and her golden retrievers on 5 beautiful acres in the Sierras Mountains somewhere between Sacramento and Tahoe.

Greg Cuddiford creator of "Kitten on Blue"

Greg started his career in photography as an Assistant, working for some of the UK's leading photographers for several years prior to opening his own studio in London, His work was varied starting out as a fashion photographer and also photographing actors, pop groups and sports personalities, then specializing in sill life advertising photograph. After having as successful studio for over 10 years, he felt that ht time as right to make a move back to the country and combine his love of animals with photography.

For the past 15 years he has specialized in this area of work with his images being published worldwide on products; jigsaws, back to school stationery, fashion, calendars, greetings cards, magazines and books.

Dona Gelsinger creator of "Grizzly Gorge" and "Gone Fishing"

From a very young age, she had a love and appreciation for art.  She would sit for hours watching her grandfather as he told a story through his brush strokes, creating beautiful landscapes in oil. She went on to study art in college and began her career as a staff artist in advertising. After starting a family, she turned to freelance work and found her real calling when she was blessed with a commission to paint the Stations of the Cross for her church in California. From that point on, she knew what her life's work was supposed to be, to use God's gift to the best of my abilities.

Greg Giordano creator of "Aztec Eagle" and  "Three Wolves Howl"

Greg Giordano has been painting animals all his life. He attended the School of Visual Arts in New York City. As a boy, he spent many hours at the Museum of Natural History drawing and sketching the animals and dioramas. He enjoys spending much of his time in the outdoors and takes yearly painting trips throughout North America to study the diverse subject matter found in his current work.

A veteran of the Licensing Industry for over 25 years, his work has been licensed to over 500 manufacturers worldwide. He was featured by License Magazine as one of the industries youthful trendsetters in their "40 Under Forty" issue in 1999 and 2000. His art has been part of co-branded licensing programs with the National Wildlife Fedration and the ASPCA. He has also developed licensing programs using his art with many prestigious organizations such as The National Wildlife Federation, The Humane Society of the United States and the ASPCA. He resides in Riedgefield, CT and his property is home to deer, fox , coyote, bear, turkey, beaver and many different species of birds. Local farms inspiration for this horse painting.

 Jon Ren creator of "On the Wild Side"

Jon's style shows exceptional attention to details and great sensitivity. Jon Ren, son of renowned western artist Chick Ren, is a 1990 graduate of the Colorado Institute of Art. After graduating, Jon studied under his father and began his career with a commission to create team posters for the NFL, including the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills.

He is the designer of several collector plate series for the Hamilton Collection. His work is featured in limited and open edition prints and his original art is exhibited in shows and galleries across the nation. Jon's work has also appeared on covers for the Wild West Magazine. He now lives outside Eugene, Oregon with his wife Kathleen and daughters, Carina Merrin and Sloane. Jon is available for commissions. Jon Ren's images have been licensed for use on note cards, screen savers, t-shirts, calendars, magnetic bookmarks, removable vinyl vehicle graphics, wall murals, puzzles and automobile rear window film.

Persis Clayton Weirs creator of "Race is On"

For Persis Clayton Weirs, becoming a wildlife artist seemed only natural. Born on an island off the coast of Maine and residing in New England her entire life, Weirs has always been surrounded by beautiful scenery and bountiful wildlife. Weirs is known for her extraordinary ability to paint both domestic and wild animals. Her original works, which are featured in some of the most prominent museums and celebrated private collections across the country, were selected to go on an international tour to Beijing, China.

She says,"If my paintings can pass on to the others just a fraction of the pleasure and fascination I find in nature, then I have succeeded." Persis Clayton Wiers' images have been licensed for use on wall paper border, coffee mugs, door mats, place-mats, automobile rear window film, fabric, glassware, collector plates, figurines, sculptures, collector knives, calendars, puzzles, eye glass, cleaning cloths, note cards, paint by number kits, bathroom accessories, kitchen accessories, coasters, magnets, outdoor wall art, stitcherykits, cutting boards, area rugs, wastebaskets, tin contains, scrapbook paper, throws, room screens, toilet seat covers, lawn chairs, logo graphics, flats, screen printed products, lamp shades, screen savers, bedding, gift bags, ceramic canisters, furniture, tote bags, wall murals, yard signs, mailbox covers, and journals.

How to care:

Machines wash cold separately using delicate cycle and mild detergent. Do not bleach. Tumble dry low on gentle cycle. Remove promptly. Do not iron.

Material 100% Polyester

Size" 50"x60"