Gathered for a $6,000 donation from Quail Forever Central Oklahoma 89'er Chapter are, from left, ODWC Director J.D. Strong, Wildlife Chief Bill Dinkines, chapter President Troy Ellefson, QF state representative Laura McIver, Chapter members James Dietsch and Kevin Bennett; and ODWC Upland Game Biologist Tell Judkins (Photo: Don P. Brown/ODWC)
The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission recognized the importance of artwork in wildlife conservation during its regular monthly meeting March 7.
Senior Specialist Michael Bergin of the Communication and Education Division of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation briefed Commissioners about ODWC’s art programs: the state waterfowl stamp design competition and the collector’s durable license card, both featuring conservation-related artwork each year.
Several ODWC-honored artists attended Monday’s meeting and were commended by Commissioners for their artistic efforts supporting conservation:
- Mikel Donahue of Broken Arrow, winner, 2023 state waterfowl stamp design competition.
- Shea Meyer of Stratford, honorable mention, 2023 state waterfowl stamp design competition.
- Nora Hall of Norman, artwork of black bass, 2022 collector’s durable license card.
Honored artists who could not attend are:
- London Peterson of Eufaula, honorable mention, 2023 state waterfowl stamp design competition.
- Gregory Fritz of Davenport, Iowa, honorable mention, 2023 state waterfowl stamp design competition.
- Carolyn Mock of Bartlesville, artwork of white-tailed deer, 2022 collector’s durable license card.
More details about each of the winning artists appears at the end of this article.
Also at Monday’s meeting, Commissioners accepted a $6,000 donation from the Central Oklahoma 89er Chapter of Quail Forever. Chapter President Troy Ellefson, and QF Oklahoma representative Laura McIver, said their donation, when combined with $18,000 of federal grant matching funds, will fund upland game habitat work on wildlife management areas in northwest Oklahoma.
In other business:
- Legislative Liaison Corey Jager reported that two ODWC-requested bills to allow the Department to modernize and streamline its license structure were defeated in the Senate and House.
- In his regular report, Director J.D. Strong cited accomplishments in ODWC’s various divisions since the previous meeting, including results of an MSN survey ranking Oklahoma at No. 6 in the nation in the number of hunters per capita among all states. Of the state’s population, 14.2 percent hold a paid hunting license, making Oklahoma a Top Ten state in the category.
- Commissioners approved a branding initiative for the Wildlife Department.
- Commissioners received Fiscal Year 2021 financial reports on the ODWC’s annual financial audit and the Department’s defined benefit retirement plan.
The Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Commission is the eight-member governing board of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. The Commission establishes state hunting and fishing regulations, sets policy for the Wildlife Department and indirectly oversees all state fish and wildlife conservation activities. Commission members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Oklahoma Senate. The next regular Commission meeting is set for 9 a.m. April 4, 2022, in the Coleman Theater in Miami, Okla.
Go online to www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9lYmOYa5OQ to view a video recording of the meeting. (Note: Audio difficulties affected the initial eight minutes of the recording.)
Carolyn Mock is “proud to be an Okie through and through.” Raised near Claremore, Mock spent significant time around wildlife and farm animals. “There was no question what I would paint when I started my fine art career,” she said. Mock’s artwork has been featured in the popular NatureWorks Art Show and Sale in Tulsa. Knowing that hunting and fishing license sales are key to habitat management and restoration, Mock sees her featured artwork as a way of giving back to the wildlife she’s painted through her career. More of her wildlife artwork can be seen at her website, www.carolynmockart.com.
Carolyn Mock is “proud to be an Okie through and through.” Raised near Claremore, Mock spent significant time around wildlife and farm animals. “There was no question what I would paint when I started my fine art career,” she said. Mock’s artwork has been featured in the popular NatureWorks Art Show and Sale in Tulsa. Knowing that hunting and fishing license sales are key to habitat management and restoration, Mock sees her featured artwork as a way of giving back to the wildlife she’s painted through her career. More of her wildlife artwork can be seen at her website, www.carolynmockart.com.
Nora Hall is a Norman native, where she resides and co-owns Oil & Clay Studio. In 2020, she donated her depiction of an elk for ODWC’s durable collector’s license card program. This year, she donated her artwork of a black bass for the collector’s card. Both works are part of Hall’s Oklahoma Animal Series. To see more of her art, go to http://www.oilandclaystudio.com.
Nora Hall is a Norman native, where she resides and co-owns Oil & Clay Studio. In 2020, she donated her depiction of an elk for ODWC’s durable collector’s license card program. This year, she donated her artwork of a black bass for the collector’s card. Both works are part of Hall’s Oklahoma Animal Series. To see more of her art, go to http://www.oilandclaystudio.com.
Mikel Donahue received formal art training at The University of Tulsa and became a professional artist in 2009 after retiring from an advertising/marketing career. His preferred medium is acrylics, and his favored subject matter is Western/cowboy art, racehorses, wildlife, and birds. Upon learning of his win in the 2023 Oklahoma Duck Stamp art contest, he was surprised, excited and very humble. “Knowing who some of the past winners are makes me proud to be included with such great artists.” It was just another honor among many he’s earned during his lifetime, including numerous ADDY, Graphix, Bronze Quill and other design awards; Best of Show 2021 and many gold and silver medals from the Cowboy Artists of America; Academy of Western Artists 2011Artist of the Year; Buffalo Bill Historical Center Premier Platinum Award and Artists' Choice Award. “My art is an emotional expression that I want to translate from the subject to the viewer. It’s important for me in my work to be accurate and honest to the subjects I do.” About his duck stamp entry, he said, “First it’s fun to compete for such an honor and to have your art represent on the state’s duck stamp. Knowing that the funds generated by such efforts of the ODWC helps grow and develop the programs designed to enhance the quality of our waterfowl in Oklahoma elevated my efforts in producing this stamp. My thoughts were that the better the design and greater appeal of the art will hopefully create more interest in the stamp, which in turn would help with sales, which leads to more revenue for the ODWC.” A hunter and birder, he said, “It’s satisfying knowing these wetlands and their waterfowl will be around for generations to come, allowing future hunters to know the thrill of the hunt or nature lovers to have the opportunity to enjoy what nature has to offer in our great state.” For more, go to www.mikeldonahue.com.
Mikel Donahue received formal art training at The University of Tulsa and became a professional artist in 2009 after retiring from an advertising/marketing career. His preferred medium is acrylics, and his favored subject matter is Western/cowboy art, racehorses, wildlife, and birds. Upon learning of his win in the 2023 Oklahoma Duck Stamp art contest, he was surprised, excited and very humble. “Knowing who some of the past winners are makes me proud to be included with such great artists.” It was just another honor among many he’s earned during his lifetime, including numerous ADDY, Graphix, Bronze Quill and other design awards; Best of Show 2021 and many gold and silver medals from the Cowboy Artists of America; Academy of Western Artists 2011Artist of the Year; Buffalo Bill Historical Center Premier Platinum Award and Artists' Choice Award. “My art is an emotional expression that I want to translate from the subject to the viewer. It’s important for me in my work to be accurate and honest to the subjects I do.” About his duck stamp entry, he said, “First it’s fun to compete for such an honor and to have your art represent on the state’s duck stamp. Knowing that the funds generated by such efforts of the ODWC helps grow and develop the programs designed to enhance the quality of our waterfowl in Oklahoma elevated my efforts in producing this stamp. My thoughts were that the better the design and greater appeal of the art will hopefully create more interest in the stamp, which in turn would help with sales, which leads to more revenue for the ODWC.” A hunter and birder, he said, “It’s satisfying knowing these wetlands and their waterfowl will be around for generations to come, allowing future hunters to know the thrill of the hunt or nature lovers to have the opportunity to enjoy what nature has to offer in our great state.” For more, go to www.mikeldonahue.com.
Shea Meyer is a teaching artist whose canvasback portrait was selected the winner for the 2014 Oklahoma Waterfowl Stamp. Originally from Guymon, he studied fine arts at Oklahoma Panhandle State University. His choice of medium is acrylics, and in addition to traditional painting he likes to produce large murals and some speed painting. “I love ducks and duck hunting, and I want it to be something that people can continue to do and enjoy for years to come. I also enjoy painting waterfowl. I love their colorations and the reflections on the water.” He’s also an avid outdoorsman who enjoys fishing whenever he can, along with hunting deer, ducks and pheasant. “I am honored to be picked as one of the best to represent Oklahoma.”
Shea Meyer is a teaching artist whose canvasback portrait was selected the winner for the 2014 Oklahoma Waterfowl Stamp. Originally from Guymon, he studied fine arts at Oklahoma Panhandle State University. His choice of medium is acrylics, and in addition to traditional painting he likes to produce large murals and some speed painting. “I love ducks and duck hunting, and I want it to be something that people can continue to do and enjoy for years to come. I also enjoy painting waterfowl. I love their colorations and the reflections on the water.” He’s also an avid outdoorsman who enjoys fishing whenever he can, along with hunting deer, ducks and pheasant. “I am honored to be picked as one of the best to represent Oklahoma.”
London Peterson adores painting birds. “Ever since I was a kid, I've dreamed of flying, and in a way painting birds has fulfilled that dream for me. However, I love creating artwork of all animals and nature.” The 17-year-old said her proudest achievements involve the federal Junior Duck Stamp art contest. She’s entered since age 12, won Best In Show for Oklahoma three years in a row, placed ninth nationally in 2020, and placed fourth nationally in 2021. For two years, she’s also donated a painting to the local Ducks Unlimited banquet to raise money for conservation. “I have no formal training; they've never offered art classes at any of the schools I've gone to, and I haven't apprenticed or been instructed by any other artists. So I've always just taught myself through trial and error.” Upon learning of her selection as an honorable mention for the state duck stamp, she “was extremely honored, delighted, and was jumping around like I'd had too much coffee!” She cites countless experiences in nature as inspiration for supporting wildlife conservation. “It makes me think of this quote by my idol, Roger Tory Peterson, which is true of all wildlife: ‘The birds could very well live without us, but many — perhaps all — of us would find life incomplete, indeed almost intolerable, without the birds.” I feel that the ODWC truly shares this view.” London enjoys birding, field sketching, and hiking. While she does accept some commission work and sells in a local gallery, she is planning to set up her own website and begin offering prints.
Gregory Fritz, Davenport, IA
London Peterson adores painting birds. “Ever since I was a kid, I've dreamed of flying, and in a way painting birds has fulfilled that dream for me. However, I love creating artwork of all animals and nature.” The 17-year-old said her proudest achievements involve the federal Junior Duck Stamp art contest. She’s entered since age 12, won Best In Show for Oklahoma three years in a row, placed ninth nationally in 2020, and placed fourth nationally in 2021. For two years, she’s also donated a painting to the local Ducks Unlimited banquet to raise money for conservation. “I have no formal training; they've never offered art classes at any of the schools I've gone to, and I haven't apprenticed or been instructed by any other artists. So I've always just taught myself through trial and error.” Upon learning of her selection as an honorable mention for the state duck stamp, she “was extremely honored, delighted, and was jumping around like I'd had too much coffee!” She cites countless experiences in nature as inspiration for supporting wildlife conservation. “It makes me think of this quote by my idol, Roger Tory Peterson, which is true of all wildlife: ‘The birds could very well live without us, but many — perhaps all — of us would find life incomplete, indeed almost intolerable, without the birds.” I feel that the ODWC truly shares this view.” London enjoys birding, field sketching, and hiking. While she does accept some commission work and sells in a local gallery, she is planning to set up her own website and begin offering prints.
Gregory Fritz, Davenport, IA