| Michael
R. Matherly is the acclaimed wildlife artist behind the Franklin Mint Collector
Plate series, Majestic Cats. Commissioned by the National
Wildlife Federation, this 12-plate collection contains images of tigers,
leopards, panthers, lions, jaguars, cheetahs, bobcats, and lynx.
In each painting, Mr. Matherly has captured a dual aspect - the intense
fierceness of these regal creatures coupled with tender nurturing, as the
mothers keep careful watch over their tiny cubs. Michael was also
selected by the International Wildlife Coalition to design their first
collector plate - a dramatic scene showcasing a snow leopard, backlit by
silver moonlight, gazing over its icy domain.
Michael's web site, created
by his wife Debbie, holds a large sampling of his work. The body
of his art is found in The Art Galleries, which is divided into 5 sections,
and the Portfolio, which contains his published work. Included on
the pages is a small informational piece about the artist, and poetry written
by two of the couple's friends.
The Art Galleries:
Wildlife is divided into
10 sections, by species, and holds visual renderings of the tiniest of
squirrels nibbling on berries up to the giant panda dining in a field of
bamboo. In Big Cats, the sparkling blue eyes of a white tiger immediately
strike you. Unforgiven is a remarkable portrait showing a
wolf peering out from behind an evergreen. Sunset Wishes holds
two ducks bathed in the golden glow of a sunset at water's edge.
The Western/Native American Gallery has three paintings depicting scenes
with Native Americans in full ancestral dress. People/Portraits has
a lovely painting of Michael's son, Tyler, sitting atop a 'snow horse',
as well as a beautiful portrait of Diana, Princess of Wales. A painting
of two adorable puppies inspecting the mysteries of a lonely little turtle
resides in the Pet Portraits section. The Miscellaneous Gallery has
a variety of works from lighthouses to prehistoric creatures to flowers.
It is here that you will find a stirring piece of prose titled Don't
Quit, ensconced on a background of deep yellow adorned with a purple
iris.
Portfolio:
Michael Matherly has had
several stamps fashioned from his artwork, with his first design issued
in 1991. The Giant Panda, which appears also in one of the Wildlife
Galleries, was featured on a stamp panel for the Postal Commemorative Society.
He has been a frequent contributor to covers for the Fur-Fish-Game magazine
and many of his illustrations appear on greeting cards and calendars.
Samples of this commercial work are housed on the web site.
Mr. Matherly's Indiana homestead
is a habitat for the wildlife from which he gains his inspiration.
His works are created in acrylics and he offers both original paintings
and print reproductions directly from his site. The prints can also
be purchased as 3 piece sets. Take a walk on the wild side through
Michael R. Matherly's Fine Art Studio by clicking on the painting at the
top of this page.
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