Mark your calendars:

May 21 – 23, 2010

Friday           12 pm – 8 pm
Saturday      10 am – 8 pm
Sunday         10 am – 6 pm

Stoney Creek Inn & Conference Center
5291 Stoney Creek Court
Johnston, IA (Just NE of 86th St exit, I-35/80)
See Stoney Creek Inn on Google Maps

Highlights:

• Release of Dream Bucks III – The Midwest Monster
• Choose Father’s Day Gifts at special prices, including up to $90 off a set of framed Dream Bucks Encore canvases
• RSVP here to receive $20 off your Open House purchase!
• Select your custom framing for Dream Bucks III
• Framed prints and canvases of Dream Bucks III ready to take home with you
• Recent paintings and originals on display
• Watch Larry work on a new painting at the Open House
• That art belongs on the wall, not under the bed – bring in your Dream Bucks I and II that you’ve been waiting to frame.
• Daily drawings for artwork prizes

If you RSVP to the Open House before attending, you will receive a $20 gift certificate towards your purchase of $50 or more at the Open House! Click here to RSVP online.

Dream Bucks III - The Midwest Monster by Larry Zach

Dream Bucks III – The Midwest Monster is finished! Larry has completed the painting after spending over a year in designing, creating, and painting. It truly is a beautiful piece of art. His heart and soul have poured into making this the best it can be.

Dream Bucks III – The Midwest Monster is the third image in the Dream Bucks series, which features some of the world’s most impressive whitetails. It follows Dream Bucks I – The Hole in the Horn Buck and Dream Bucks II – The Missing Trophy. Featured in Dream Bucks III is the huge, non-typical buck taken by Kyle Simmons on October 16, 2008 in eastern Iowa. This buck was Kyle’s first buck with a bow and was featured on the January 2009 cover of North American Whitetail magazine. Scoring 275 5/8, it is our new Iowa state record archery non-typical and the third largest non-typical whitetail in the world ever taken by bow and arrow.
New for the Dream Bucks III release, we are offering the choice of either a giclée paper or giclée canvas print in the Classic Standard Numbered (SN) and Artist Proof (AP) editions. Each print number will exist in one form or the other, but not both.

Edition                             Quantity      Image Size       Unframed Price
Master SN Giclée Canvas              100                30 x 20                    $295
Master AP Giclée Canvas              25                   30 x 20                    $365
Classic SN Canvas -or- Paper      850                 22 x 14.75              $145
Classic AP Canvas -or- Paper      125                 22 x 14.75              $175

Dream Bucks III is also available as a framed decorator or encore open edition canvas.

Open Edition                Framed Size        Framed Price
Encore Giclée Canvas            23 x 17                    $129
Decorator Giclée Canvas      17 x 14                     $89

If I’m ordering a Classic SN or AP, should I choose the paper print or canvas?
There are good reasons for either choice. Some collectors may want to order the third image in the series as a paper print to match the two previous Dream Bucks paintings already purchased. Others will choose to purchase their number as a canvas because it looks like an original painting.

Why is Zach Wildlife Art focusing more on canvas prints?
Three years ago we acquired a top-of-the-line giclée ink printer, which enables us to provide the best artwork possible. Everything from designing and creating the original painting to the color management and printing are done in-house by Larry. Every step of the process is perfected according to Larry’s highest standards. This has allowed us to produce images that are closer to the original than ever before. Giclée printing on canvas provides the richest and most vibrant color matching. Our giclée canvases are treated with an ultraviolet, waterproof finish that protects the image and extends the life of the canvas to 200 years.

Some advantages to the canvas are:

• Looks like the original painting. Many mistake it for the original.
• No glass used in framing, which eliminates potential issues with glare disrupting viewing.
• Much more affordable than an original and replaceable if damaged.
• Master Canvases can be custom-sized to fit your wall space.

Giclée canvases are an excellent value for even the most discriminating consumer.

How can Zach Wildlife Art produce a better product at such an attractive price?
Several things make this possible. Because we now do our own printing and Larry has full control over the end result, we are able to save you money that would normally go to a publisher or outsource printer. In addition, with our gallery move, we have trimmed our overhead significantly, and we are passing on these savings to our collectors. Just as the economy has influenced Americans to budget more wisely, Zach Wildlife Art is finding ways to cut expenses and make our products more affordable for our collectors.

The Classic Canvas edition is priced at $145 (or $175 for the AP), the same price as past paper prints. We have also been able to reduce the price of the Master Canvas SN edition from $425 to only $295 and the Master Canvas AP edition from $495 to only $365. All are tremendous values.

To place your order, you may choose one of the following:

• Call Zach Wildlife Art at (515) 964-7872
• Email us at info at zachwildlifeart dot com
• Attend our Open House on May 21-23

Dear Zach Wildlife Art Collector,

It’s been an eventful year at Zach Wildlife Art. With our new home-based office, we now have a 30-second commute! Prairie, woods, birds, and deer are now right outside the window. Larry will now have more time to paint and research, our main goal in tackling this major change.

Larry has been painting one day each month at the new Bass Pro Shops in Altoona and has enjoyed talking with visitors about his artwork. Contact Bass Pro Shops to find out when Larry will be painting in 2010.

We held our first post-gallery open house during Thanksgiving weekend at Stoney Creek Inn in Johnston, just off I-35/80. It was a great success! Thanks to those made it out and escaped the Black Friday stampede at the malls to view Larry’s new artwork in peace. Watch the website for future events. You can also call to make an appointment to see new releases, to select framing, or to pick up artwork at our home/office/studio in Ankeny.

We are happy to announce the release of a new painting for the new year. Here’s some background on the new release, Evening Solitude – Rocky Mountain Elk, in Larry’s words:

“The original inspiration for this painting occurred on a February reference trip in Yellowstone. It was very cold and we’d been exploring the high country, looking for painting ideas and gathering reference material all day. As dusk approached it started snowing again. I don’t recall being able to hear any sound. The landscape was hauntingly beautiful. I captured as much as I could until it finally got too dark. On the way down I pondered what I’d experienced. There seemed to be many different ways to try to capture the scene in a painting. The three bulls moving silently through the landscape enhance the feeling of tranquility, leading to the piece you see here.”

Click to see large image

Evening Solitude - Rocky Mountain Elk (Limited Edition Classic Canvas, Box Frame)

Evening Solitude is available in two limited edition canvas sizes, as well as two open edition canvas sizes. All four editions are high-quality giclée canvases. Larry does all the color-proofing and printing of these canvases in-house, so that we can guarantee only the highest-quality reproductions. When you see these canvas prints in person, you’ll be shocked to find how much they look like an original painting.

The largest size canvas of Evening Solitude – Rocky Mountain Elk, and the most limited in number, is theMaster Canvas, measuring 17″ tall x 30″ wide. The standard Master Canvas edition has a size of only 100 and the Artist Proof (AP) edition only 25. The other limited edition is the Classic Canvas. This edition replaces the standard paper print edition and measures 13″ tall x 23″ wide. You can now obtain your established print number, matching your existing Zach collection, in the new Classic Canvas limited edition at no additional cost. There are only 850 canvases in the standard Classic Canvas edition and only 125 in the AP edition.

Normally you would expect to pay a significant premium for a giclée canvas over a giclée paper print. Well, we have great news for our collectors… With the recent gallery move, we have trimmed our overhead significantly, and we are passing on these savings to our collectors. The standard Classic Canvas edition is priced at $145, the same price as past standard paper prints, and the Classic Canvas AP edition is only $175, also the same price as before. We have also been able to reduce the price of the Master Canvas standard edition Evening Solitude from $425 to $295 and the Master Canvas AP edition from $495 to $365.

For those looking to fill a smaller spot on the wall, or for a great gift idea, we have two open edition giclée canvases available, the Encore and Decorator sizes. See all editions framed on the back of this letter.

Orders can be placed by email at info@zachwildlifeart.com or by phone at 515-964-7872. Don’t hesitate to call if you have any questions.

Wishing you health and happiness in the new year,

Marcia Zach

Click to see large image
(Once image opens, you may need to click it again to magnify it.)

Framing Options: Evening Solitude - Rocky Mountain Elk

• Open House and Art Show 2009!
• Sneak peak of Dream Bucks III
• Release of new elk painting, Evening Solitude
• New line of sepia artwork

Open House and Art Show 2009

Stoney Creek Inn is a nature-themed lodge right off I-80, close to malls and theaters. Also, our 2009 Open House presents a great opportunity to visit the new Bass Pro Shops in Altoona. Larry has been painting once a month at the store since they opened. Make the 2009 Zach Open House part of a perfect weekend getaway of Christmas shopping!

Highlights

• Release of Dream Bucks III – Midwest Monster
• Release of new elk painting, Evening Solitude – Rocky Mountain Elk
• $25 off framing on any limited edition art purchase
• RSVP online for a free gift or discount coupon!
• Forward this email to a friend. When your friend RSVPs and attends the open house, you’ll receive an extra gift!
• Daily drawings for artwork prizes

Sneak Peak of Dream Bucks III

Dream Bucks III — Midwest Monster is the third image in the Dream Bucks series, which features some of the world’s
most impressive whitetails.

It follows Dream Bucks I — Hole in the Horn Buck and Dream Bucks II — The Missing Trophy. Featured in Dream Bucks III is the huge, non-typical buck taken by Kyle Simmons on October 16, 2008 in Eastern Iowa. This buck was Kyle’s first deer with a bow and was featured on the January 2009 cover of North American Whitetail magazine.

Scoring 275 5/8, it is our new Iowa state record archery nontypical, and the third largest nontypical whitetail in the
world ever taken by bow and arrow.

New elk painting, Evening Solitude released

“The original inspiration for this painting occurred on a February reference trip in the Rockies. It was very cold and we’d been exploring the high country, looking for painting ideas and gathering reference material all day. As dusk
approached it started snowing again. I don’t recall being able to hear any sound. The landscape was hauntingly
beautiful. I captured as much as I could until it finally got too dark. On their way down I pondered what I’d
experienced. There seemed to be many different ways to try to capture the scene in a painting. The three bulls moving silently through the landscape seemed to enhance the feeling of tranquility, leading to the piece you see here.” – Larry Zach

New line of sepia artwork

Larry has begun painting a new line of sepia paintings with a variety of subjects. These paintings will be available as originals and open edition canvases. See them first-hand at our 2009 Open House. The canvases will be available to take with you, framed and ready for Christmas gifts.	Moose
Just Bluffing?	Best Friend — Kitten
Best Friend — Brittany	Mountain Man

During the five days at the store, we met many of the employees, all whom displayed great hospitality, and we visited with thousands of awestruck customers coming for their first visit to see the impressive displays and decor. We also had the added privilege of meeting John Morris, the founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops, during the special Conservation Evening event.

We look forward to working further with Bass Pro Shops in the future, so keep your eyes open for more demonstrations and partnerships.

Here are the studies:

Mountain Man Study

Study of April Zach and Patches the cat

Oak tree study

Study of Molly the dog

Larry and charging elephant study

Bluebirds and Purple Coneflower by Larry Zach (c) 2008

I’ve been wanting to do a bluebird piece for a long time, but I was only recently able to finally gather all the reference material I needed to create a strong painting design.I was raised on a farm in eastern Iowa between the town of Swisher and the eastern-most colony of the Amana Colonies appropriately called, East Amana. The farm included some rich Iowa River bottom ground and nearby hills and valleys with a mosaic of timber and pasture. The timber included a number of ancient trees including old white oaks dating back to pre-settlement days. A creek ran through the farm. There were lots of places to explorer and learn about mother nature and I took full advantage of it. I’ve never out grown that passion, the excitement of exploring new country and learning about the natural world.

Though I was raised on a farm I never really wanted to be a farmer. It always seemed more interesting to me to study the natural world. At a young age I realized I wanted to live and work on a farm, not to make a living but to work with the habitat and wildlife. Of course that usually doesn’t pay very well so the dream stayed a dream for many years.

So owning a piece of land in Iowa and managing it for habitat and wildlife has been a dream of mine for most of my life. While teaching and raising a family funds accumulated slowly so I was almost 50 by the time I joined friends to purchase some ground in northern Missouri. I bought my current farm, a rather run down piece of ground in 1997. It showed a lot of use. The  CRP was all brome and the timber long neglected and choked with multiflora rose. But it was what I was looking for. Not much of a farm for traditional farming, but it was a great candidate for a wildlife farm.

The following 11 years have been a labor of love. Lots of tree planting, timber stand improvement, putting in food plots, ponds and a wetland, re-establishing native grass and prairie. The property is managed for a lot of diversity of habitat with the goal of appealing to a wide range of wildlife. Along with nest boxes for Canada geese, kestrels, wood ducks, wrens, and tree swallows, we have number of bluebird houses and the bluebirds take full advantage of them.

I was sitting in a blind near one of these bluebird houses one morning as the rising sun cut through the morning fog. I’d carefully placed the blind to get the angle of light I wanted and for once everything went right. A pair of bluebirds came by house hunting. The male looked it over from a number of different angles. Then the female did her inspection. Meanwhile, a very excited wildlife artist (that’s me) was enjoying the whole show and capturing it through a 200 mm lens for up-close results. That is how I captured the bluebird reference I subsequently used to paint Bluebirds and Purple Coneflower.

Along with building bird habitats, we’ve been working on re-establishing several prairie plots on the farm by seeding dozens of species of native grasses,  forbs, and sedges. Much of the seed used I had collected myself during my wanderings. I also included a bag of seed I bought from Carl Kurtz, who is an exceptional photographer and sells native seed raised on his farm. (We first met in the 1960s while studying Fish and Wildlife Biology at Iowa State University.) The seed bag was composed of up to 80 different plants, so each year I walk the prairies and see if I can spot any new members of the community emerging.

There are the plants that show up only after a number of years. Then there are the old reliables that show up every year. One that is very showy in the summer is  purple coneflower. I like to head out at dawn each morning with my camera and take photos while the light is prime. It was on several of these forays that I collected the purple coneflower reference.

Though I’ve taken out many of the interior fences on the property, I often leave old fence posts in place when they are not in the way. In southeastern Iowa, most of these were cut from hedge apple ( Osage-orange) decades ago. Hedge posts are extremely rot resistant and therefore last a very long time. The older they get, the more character they develop. This particular post sits along a lane which cuts through a little patch of prairie. Though I didn’t see the pair of bluebirds in that particular spot, it seems like a natural setting for them. It also provided the reference post for this painting.

Once I had the components I needed, I created the conceptual design, and then finally the original painting. I had plenty of reference material, so I experimented with various elements and compositions until I found the arrangement I liked best. It was fun to work the various colors up and down to find the right balance. Developing the atmosphere of the scene enhanced the sense of depth. These paintings, even though they may seem simple in composition at first glance, seem to always take longer than I anticipate to finish. It’s worth the work, though, because it’s final result that counts. I hope you like the result of my work this time: Bluebirds and Purple Coneflower.

Information on the Eastern purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea)
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ECPU

Information on the Eastern bluebird (Sialia sialis)
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Eastern_Bluebird.html

Photos of the Eastern bluebird brooding process, from egg-laying to fledging (leaving the nest), from a NestCam
http://www.birds.cornell.edu/nestinginfo/nestboxcam/2007_cams/e_bluebird_heath2/index1_html