Duane Geisness

November 2004

Professional fine artist Duane Geisness canoes through the Canadian wilderness, backpacks the trails of the Bighorn in Wyoming, and with his loyal American Eskimo dog beside him explores the Wisconsin north woods. Mr. Geisness feels that this is all part of the process involved in portraying the truths of nature. He says, "I believe working in the field gathering photo references and doing quick sketches are very important steps in the painting process, and probably the most enjoyable. Wandering through the countryside with camera in hand, the possibilities seem endless, but the real work begins back at my studio in St. Charles, Illinois."

Duane Geisness was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, but it was on family trips to his grandparent's farm in northern Wisconsin that he became acquainted with much of the subject matter he paints today. Proficient in acrylics and watercolor, this graduate of the American Academy of Art in Chicago, has shared the spotlight with some of the world's leading wildlife artists, among them Robert Bateman, Carl Brenders and John Seerey-Lester. His painting "Winter Lullaby" has toured the United States in the prestigious "Wildlife: the Artist's View" tour. The tour included The Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum-New Mexico Museum of Natural History-R. W , Norton Art Gallery-Center for the Arts in Vero Beach, Florida, and-The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History.

Duane has done a highly successful plate series for the Bradford Exchange entitled "Peace on Earth", of which more than 60,000 plates were sold!

In the interest of environmental preservation, Duane has donated prints to the Yellowstone Association Wolf Research Fund in Wyoming. This is the organization that reintroduced wolves into Yellowstone National Park.

The National Wildlife Federation has published Christmas cards with his painting "Snow Crystal Morning." The sense of peace and serenity that is so evident in much of his work is enjoyed and loved by many.

11/04