Gene spent his childhood in Alabama and developed a lifelong love of nature and wildlife. His grandfather taught Gene how to draw and color with pastels, and instilled in Gene a love of art and a lasting confidence in his abilities. After serving in the Navy, he moved to Sebago, Maine, and in 1976, Gene began a taxidermy business, with a major interest in fish. Gene started fish carving in 1986 after attending the Maine Wildlife Woodcarving Competition. While continuing a successful career in taxidermy he has expanded into wildlife artistry, working in watercolors, oils, ceramic, wood and bronze. In 1991 he opened a gallery where a variety of his pieces are on display for viewing or purchase.

Gene has devoted his creative efforts to portraying wildlife in beautiful and creative ways that make environmental statements and inspire people to think about clean water, the "Catch and Release" program, endangered species and above all to appreciate the beauty of nature.

Some of my earliest memories are of fishing with my dad on Craddock Creek – a quiet inlet on the Eastern Shore of Virginia whose waters nearly entered our backdoor. On this peninsula, located between the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, fishing, crabbing and clamming were a way of life – for pleasure as much as necessity.

By the age of nine, I fished regularly for red drum, cobia, speckled trout, summer flounder, weakfish, spot and croaker. For a greater challenge, I would venture to the "seaside," and fish the shoulders of Virginia's barrier islands for blue fish and striped bass. My fly fishing career began in 1992 on the shores of the Miramichi River where, in a real downpour, I caught my first fish on a fly rod – a five-pound grilse.

After college, I spent some time working in France and served a stint in the venture capital industry. But it was a 24-inch speckled trout that I caught in the mouth of Craddock Creek that pointed me in the direction of my true calling -- one that incorporates my love of fishing, my fondness of paint and color and my belief in preservation.

I carve fish in the tradition of the great trophy fish carvers – John B. Russell, John and Dhuie Tully, P.D. Malloch and the Hardy Brothers. I am inspired not only to continue this tradition but also, through my work, to promote the preservation of all fish species.

A fitting name for a wildlife artist. Teom Lim translated from his ancient Hainan dialect means "deep wilderness". Since his early childhood, Teom was influenced by his father ( a world traveller and outdoorsman). Stories of jungle expeditions, fishing trips and exotic wildlife were deeply imprinted into the child's imagination. Most of his formative years were spent playing in the pristine wilderness of Alberta, Canada. There his love for the land and water grew and eventually lead him to an education in biology. With his passion for the outdoors, a university degree to fortify his passion and an artistic eye, Teom is blessed with rare perspective on wildlife art.

His career as a wildlife artist started as a bet from a friend. Since then Teom has won and successfully defended the Canadian Fish Carving Championship title four times. He has also captured two blue ribbons at the World Fish Carving Championships. As demand for Teom's art increases, he finds it difficult to keep up with competition pieces and commission work. Upon advice from other artists, Teom has begun to reproduce his work in signed and numbered copies.

Dan Patterson is an award winning northwest artist and instructor who works in many mediums, wood being one of his favorites and fish being his favorite subject. Since 1985 he has been painting fish for taxidermists and in 1988 started his own business.

His woodcarvings of fish have won numerous awards at shows and competitions. The experts classify Dan's creations in wood as fine art and his passion to replicate his subject just as it is in nature is ranking him among the top realistic wildlife artists in the country.

Dan's art differs from most as his ambition is to be as technically correct with his fish renderings as possible. Dan is a native Nebraskan and after twenty-three years serving in the US Army, he now lives in Washington State with his wife Connie.

Jeff's expertise in taxidermy at a young age, soon lead to opportunities for judging at state, national and world taxidermy shows. Jeff was asked to judge on the panel of the first ever World Fish Carving Championships in 1985, exposing him to the art of fish carving. He won the next World Championships in 1987 and currently holds three world titles.

Jeff's understanding of nature coupled with his exceptional artistic talent enable him to carve a wide range of subjects from freshwater to saltwater fish to decorative birds and decoys. With his passion and attention to detail, Jeff creates one of a kind carvings that capture the essence of the species perfectly.

MIKE WINDAUER
Polson, Montana, U.S.A.

Mike has been a consistent winner at the World Fish Carving Championships, with several major wins.

In 1997 he won Third in World Decorative Lifesize with three Graylings. In 2001 at the worlds, he was successful in winning Second in World Decorative Lifesize with a Brown Trout. Mike won another major award in 2003, Third in World Decorative Lifesize with a Steelhead carving.

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CYRIL SMITH
Woodland Park, Colorado, U.S.A.

Cyril won big in 2001 at the World Fish Carving Championships. He not only took Best in World Decorative Miniature with a Golden Trout carving, but also Best in World Natural Finish with a Trout and Fly carving.

As a member of "Champions for Trout", he carved a miniature Colorado Cutthroat Trout, and it was on display at the 2007 World show in Reno. In 2008, his carving, with five other fish carvings were auctioned off on Ebay. The money raised will help support selected conservation efforts that enhance and or protect wild fish populations.

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BILL COOKE
Sparks, Nevada, U.S.A.

Bill won Third in World at the 2001 World Fish Carving Championships, with a Steelhead carving.

1997- he won Third in Trout, Salmon and Char Division, Decorative Lifesize with a Brown Trout.

1999- First in Trout, Salmon and Char Division, Decorative Lifesize with a Brook Trout.

2007- Second in Trout, Salmon and Char Division, Decorative Lifesize with a High Mountain Cutthroat.

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ERIC THORSEN
Bigfork, Montana, U.S.A.

In the beginning of his career at age 24, he won Best in World at the 1992 World Fish Carving Championships, with his wood sculpture called "Mystery of the Redd". Soon after he was introduced to clay and the real excitement began. He soon began producing literally hundreds of clay sculptures to be cast in bronze. His sculptures are highly acclaimed, winning him awards and honors nationwide.

Eric's bronze wildlife sculptures, figurative sculptures, paintings & prints are featured worldwide in publications and TV. Major corporations, celebrities and private collectors enthusiastically collect his bronze wildlife sculptures, figurative sculptures, paintings & prints. Sales of his wildlife sculptures has generated millions of dollars in contributions to non profit organizations.

Eric's subjects for bronze wildlife sculptures, figurative sculptures, paintings & prints are diverse, but are often focused on human and animal subjects. Eric also enjoys painting landscapes. His main gallery is located in Bigfork, Montana.

Click HERE to visit Eric Thorsen Gallery.

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