Mark Anderson...
Growing up in South Dakota, Mark Anderson developed a love of the outdoors. Hunting and fishing were not only a favorite pastime, they were a way of life. As an adult, Mark’s devotion to nature fueled another interest, painting. He is a self-taught wildlife artist who began painting 1980. Like all true callings, painting became his full-time commitment by 1993.

A true outdoorsman, Mark can be seen photographing as often as hunting or fishing. He always travels with a camera and is prepared to capture "live" moments of inspiration. These excursions provide the knowledge and research necessary to realistically capture wildlife. Mark is passionate about depicting wildlife realistically. The focal point of his paintings is the wildlife itself; rural elements are incorporated to add depth and dimension. Mark has the unique ability to produce paintings that represent "anywhere USA." Although he calls South Dakota home, his work portrays scenes reminiscent of any rural environment.

The key to painting authentic works is attention to detail. Mark takes pride in his ability to mimic even the fine points. It’s his trademark and is evident in all aspects of his work. Mark paints with acrylics because he feels this provides him with the best medium to render wildlife realistically with attention to tone and detail. Capturing wildlife in its natural habitat is a must!

The true testimony to his achievements is the awards and accolades bestowed upon him. Mark has been an award-winning artist for two decades, with 11 stamp wins to date. He has been recognized by numerous organizations, including: Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, and National Wild Turkey Federation and has received over twenty-five awards. And the list continues to grow.

John Wilson...
John was born on June 6, 1939, in Sisseton, South Dakota, a place not too far from his present residence in Watertown. Although his parents were no better off financially than many other families during the depression years, John had one advantage: he had access to large expanses of farmland and wilderness where he could hunt and fish.

His fondest memories of his childhood invariably center around the numerous hunting and fishing trips he took accompanied only by his loyal cocker spaniel, Tippy. They shared that special bond which can only be felt between a boy and his dog, and for the entire fifteen years of Tippy's life, they were constant field companions.

John painted for his own pleasure and relaxation at night and on weekends. Then in 1976, John entered a painting of a trumpeter swan in South Dakota's new duck stamp competition and it took second place. The experience fired him with enthusiasm and he concentrated his efforts on painting the wildlife native to South Dakota, particularly the birds.

John's peaceful existence came to an abrupt end on November 5, 1980 when his painting of a pair of ruddy ducks won the federal duck stamp contest and he became an instant celebrity.

John Green...
A lifelong resident of the Madison, South Dakota area, John C. Green has earned recognition in the art community through his faithful rendition of outdoor and scenic images that capture the spirit of his native state. He is an established artist with superb credentials. He recently celebrated his 30th year as a professional artist.
An accomplished wildlife artist, John’s wild life artwork has raised over $3 million for Ducks Unlimited and other conservation organizations through the sale of his prints and original artwork at fundraising banquets throughout the nation. This feat has earned him lifetime memberships in Ducks Unlimited in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
His work has also benefited other conservation organization such as the Isaac Walton League and Pro Pheasants. The latter organization recently recognized his philanthropy by naming a newly formed wildlife production area after John.
John has received recognition in many art contests across the country. He is a three-time state duck stamp competitive winner and received the Judge’s Award of Merit for his painting of mallards at the National Wildlife Art Show. The South Dakota Hall of Fame also selected him as State Artist of the Year in 1991.
Though John has proven the quality of his work through his many awards and honors, the consumer reaction to his paintings is the most telling testament to the value of his talent. People simply enjoy his style and ability to bring a scene to life on canvas without stripping the scene of a painterly quality. John has so much versatility and enjoys painting most any subject matter. A growing number of collectors have requested their dog captured on canvas as a proud reminder of the great hunts they have had in the past. Often working on personalized commissions, John prides himself on making the customer happy.
In the past few years, John has expanded his painting into other areas, which complement his roots in wildlife art. Favorite subjects include children at play in the outdoors, fishing, hunting, and carousing with puppies. He also has a fondness for landscape art and plans to produce prints of his landscapes in the future.
Though he has over 55 sold out limited editions already to his credit, John C. Green’s career is just beginning.