MEMPHIS, Tenn. – March 26, 2007 – Acclaimed wildlife artist Anthony Padgett of Mascoutah, Ill., is Ducks Unlimited 2008 International Artist of the Year. His painting, "Diligence - Yellow Lab," grabbed the top honor.
"I've been absolutely speechless for the whole day," said Padgett when he learned of the honor. "I have a board in my office with my list of goals on it. Being Ducks Unlimited International Artist of the Year was always one of those goals."
Bass Pro Shops will sponsor Padgett’s painting. Print sales at DU events across the country will benefit DU’s wetlands and waterfowl habitat conservation work.
"Congratulations and thanks go to Anthony for dedicating his exceptional talents to our conservation work," said Don Young, DU’s executive vice president. "Ducks Unlimited is fortunate to work with many of the world's premier wildlife artists through its international art program. These talented men and women are responsible for helping raise more than $250 million for DU's conservation mission. We look forward to raising even more with Anthony's help and other artists like him."
This is the second year the public voted for the winner through an online "People’s Choice" competition. DU featured four finalists on the web. The finalists were Padgett; Scot Storm of Freeport, Minn.; Joe Hautman of Plymouth, Minn.; and Philip Crowe of Franklin, Tenn.
"Padgett has submitted entries before," said Jane Bush, DU’s manager of product marketing. "This year, he shot straight to the top, winning our most prestigious honor. It’s an outstanding painting that DU members will want."
Padgett is self-taught. He augments his natural talent with extensive field studies of wildlife and their natural habitats. Since 1992, Padgett's work includes hundreds of original acrylic wildlife paintings and many limited-edition prints. Attention to detail and vibrant colors are hallmarks of his style.
Emily Robinson
erobinson@ducks.org
901-758-3851
With more than a million supporters, Ducks Unlimited is the world’s largest and most effective wetland and waterfowl conservation organization with almost 12 million acres conserved. The United States alone has lost more than half of its original wetlands - nature’s most productive ecosystem - and continues to lose more than 80,000 wetland acres each year.