Wildlife Artist Mort Solberg Wins Major Art Awards

Spring Hill, FL, October 02, 2009 --(PR.com)-- Master wildlife artist Morten E. Solberg became the second recipient of the prestigious Robert Kuhn Award at the recent National Museum of Wildlife Art’s Western Visions Exhibition in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Solberg, the first Artist of Distinction selected by Abrakadoodle children's art education, is lauded for his accomplishments.

"Mort is a remarkable wildlife artist," commented Mary Rogers, MA.Ed, co-founder of Abrakadoodle. "He graciously has shared his unique vision, style and technique with Abrakadoodle, which enables children in our global art program to learn wildlife art from a working master. We are very proud of his achievements."

The award was created in 2008 in memory of Bob Kuhn, a legendary wildlife artist known as “the Dean of Wildlife Artists.” Solberg was honored for his “Who’s the Boss” acrylic on canvas painting of an angry badger.

Solberg also recently won a 2009 Award of Excellence from the Society of Animal Artists for his watercolor/acrylic “Visit to the Fox Den.” The piece started simply as a painting demonstration, Solberg said, but “began to tell a story” as he worked, until it evolved into a visual tale of a “lady of the lake” protectively watching over foxes as men with lanterns approached.

The awards are the latest in a long list of honors for Solberg, who has been painting for more than 40 years. In 2007, he was awarded a lifetime Masters membership in The Society of Master Impressionists. In 2005, competing with thousands of artists, he won the coveted “Arts for the Parks” award for his spectacular painting “Morning Flight Olympic National Park.” Solberg is one of just 10 U.S. wildlife artists recognized with the distinction of “Master Artist” by the Society of Animal Artists. His work is represented in many collections including the Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery of Art and National Academy of Design.

Solberg will be opening his vast personal collection of limited edition prints (signed and numbered) as well as several original paintings to the public in a unique Internet auction Oct. 21 on Rasmus Online Auctions in partnership with Weschler’s Auctions and Appraisers. Offerings in “The Mort Solberg Personal Collection Auction” can be viewed and selections bid upon at: www.rasmus.com and will be preceded by an Oct. 20 public showing of Solberg works at the Weschler Gallery from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 909 E St. NW in Washington, D.C.

A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Solberg is a graduate of the Cleveland Institute of Art. He painted for 38 years in California and currently resides and paints near Tampa, Florida. More information on Mort Solberg is available at www.mortenesolberg.com

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