2018 marks 8th appearance by WSO’s Tom Schultz
New avian-themed artworks by more 114 worldwide artists comprise the 43rd annual, internationally renowned 2018 “Birds in Art” exhibition, on view here through Nov. 25 at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum.
Innovative artistic approaches and intriguing mediums – from acrylic and oxidized sterling silver leaf to cut turkey feathers and oil and cold wax on linen – capture the character, spirit, and habitats of birds. A luminous, elegant oil painting by Michael Dumas highlights a House Sparrow pair atop layers of fabric, while a whimsical wire artwork by Thomas Hill depicts a wild-eyed, gangly heron running.
This year’s exhibition includes 31 international artists, 8 Wisconsin artists and 12 first-time “Birds in Art” artists. For Thomas R. Schultz of Green Lake, 2018 marks his 8th appearance in the exhibition. Schultz has been working as an artist/illustrator for more than 40 years, with his work published in a variety of books and field guides, including seven editions of the National Geographic Society’s Field Guide to the Birds of North America and the Peterson Series Warblers.
Thomas Schultz, Pad Walker, 2018, acrylic. “Every couple of years I lead a birding tour to Costa Rica, finding inspiration in the region’s natural diversity and color palette – especially its birds. A fascinating species, the Northern Jacana is found in various wetland habitats. With long legs and ridiculously long toes and nails, which help to distribute its weight, this bird is anatomically well-suited for walking on floating vegetation. It purposefully strides or scampers across lily pads, seeking out seeds, invertebrates or small fish, which are snatched up with great dexterity. You might think its gangly toes would cause frequent stumbles; I’ve never seen anything but confident grace in its movements.”
For Schultz, 2018 marks his 8th appearance in the exhibition. Schultz has been working as an artist/illustrator for more than 40 years, with his work published in a variety of books and field guides, including seven editions of the National Geographic Society’s Field Guide to the Birds of North America and the Peterson Series Warblers.
Besides his illustration work he also creates original paintings of birds in natural settings in acrylic, oil or watercolor – most privately commissioned.
Tom is an active birder with a strong interest in field identification – an outgrowth of his bird illustration work. He is actively involved with the Wisconsin Society for Ornithology – recently as president – and has also served as WSO’s field trip co-chair for over 30 years. He lives in the Green Lake area with his wife, Wendy, and is the co-founder and president of the Green Lake Bird and Nature Club.
All of Tom’s previous appearances at “Birds in Art” were during the 1980s. Busy with illustration work, he didn’t submit entries during most of those intervening years.
Museum Hours
Tuesday to Friday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Oct. 4 and Nov. 1: 9 a.m.–7:30 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday: Noon–5 p.m.
Check the events calendar at https://www.lywam.org/
Admission: Always free
Phone: 715.845.7010
Email: info@lywam.org
Location: 700 N. 12th St., Wausau
--This is one of several timely articles in this month's Badger Birder newsletter; don't miss out on the latest birding and conservation news. Become a WSO member today! https://wsobirds.org/support/become-a-member--
