Song birds, big game, waterfowl, western art, game birds, cougar, bear, buffalo, fish art, original paintings and prints. Russ Duerksen, Sioux Falls, SD. Limited edition art prints by Russ Duerksen wildlife art. Growing up in small towns and working on my grandparents farm in South Dakota brought me close to nature. My days as a young boy usually consisted of exploring the outdoors. I enjoyed canoeing down the river, strolling through the woods or just walking along the railroad tracks. Soon,I began to draw the wildlife that I saw not knowing then that this obsession would become a lifelong ambition. My Spare time was devoted to learning how to paint wildlife, exhibiting my paintings at art shows, competing in various competitions including state and federal duck stamp contests. During that time, I supported my family as an electrician and then as a commercial artist. I'm proud of my accomplishments, which has lead me to my lifelong dream of being a full time wildlife artist. Some of my honors other than the state stamps include: 2003 Nominated for the Sioux Falls Mayor's Award for Excellence in Visual Arts. 2001 Pheasants Forever National Package - ÒAlong The CreekÓ 2000 and 1999 South Dakota Migratory Bird Certification Stamp 1999 Delaware Migratory Waterfowl Stamp 1996, Ô95 and Ô91 South Dakota State Waterfowl Restoration Stamps 1997 South Dakota State Habitat Stamp 2000, 1999, Ô98, Ô97, Ô94, Ô93, Ô92, and Ô91 Minnehaha County Pheasants Forever Habitat Print of the Year (Sioux Falls, SD) 1998, Ô97, Ô96 and Ô95 Aberdeen, SD Pheasants Forever Art Print of the Year 1997, Ô96 and Ô95 North Dakota Ducks Unlimited Art Print of the Year 1996 and Ô91 South Dakota Ducks Unlimited Art Print of the Year 1995 4th Place - Federal Duck Stamp 1990 South Dakota Izaak Walton League Art Print of the Year