Birding

Events

Gear

Hunting

Media

Safety

Seasonal Happenings

Youth

FEATURES

The Artist's Insight

Art, it is said, imitates life. For the truly gifted artist, however, it seems life seems to imitate art. Peter Mathios paints highly realistic portrayals of nature that are, quite simply, breathtaking. We are proud to announce Peter Mathios as our newest contributor. Today, Peter offers "The Artist's Insight" on observation and preparation. Enjoy.

This is going to be the space of a new monthly column featuring painting tips, inspiration, and interesting tidbits of anything related to the world of wildlife art. I should begin by introducing myself and discussing my work a bit. My name is Peter Mathios and I am a wildlife painter from Oregon that specializes in highly realistic portrayals of nature. For me the best part of being a professional artist is spending time in the field studying and observing birds and animals. We live in such an amazing world, I want to soak in as much as possible and share it with others through my paintings. Recently, I found out the exciting news that I have been selected as the 2009 International Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year. For more information about my life and work, feel free to visit my website - www.mathiosstudios.net.

The first aspect of painting wildlife that I would like to discuss is how important it is to observe nature. Personally, I take a sketchbook, binoculars and a camera just about everywhere I go. You never know what you will see and, unfortunately, I have learned the hard way that when you aren't prepared, you will see something spectacular. Subsequently, you will be frustrated that you are unable to record the moment.

One particular example of being prepared and seeing something unexpected is the painting "Reflections - Black-Necked Stilts". This pair of stilts was seen as I was leaving a favorite family duck hunting spot in the Suisun Marsh of California. Since I had already been hunting, and seen quite a bit of wildlife, I was not expecting to see anything too different. Then, there they were - two black-necked stilts, as I was driving away. The pair was foraging on a slightly overcast afternoon in the shallows near the gravel road. The absolute glassiness of the water was a striking contrast to the patterns created as the birds' quirky way of walking broke up the stillness. The haze imparted a soft light, which enhanced not just the stilts but also their reflections. Inspiration had hit and a painting idea was born!

It is important to note that what you consider to be spectacular is what you should paint. Whether it is a sunrise, a particular animal or even the way the light is hitting a particular object, if the subject does not interest you, it will show in the painting because you will be unlikely to put in the effort. However, if the scene inspires you, your 'blood, sweat and tears' will be evident.

For more about my art you can visit the following links:
www.petermathios.blogspot.com (Daily Paintings by Peter Mathios)
www.mathios.blogspot.com (The Art of Peter Mathios)
www.mathiosstudios.net (My Website)

The WOW Factor

I've been writing on other things lately that weren't really part of The Wow Factor. Today, a find that really is deserving of a big Wow Factor round of applause.

I can't tell you how many times I've wondered which is worse, bug bites or the smells you endure to repel bugs. I'd bet I'm not the only person who has passed on bug spray and prayed that the pesky things would just take a day off from chewing on me.

Well, let's just say I'm not playing Russian roulette with insects anymore. Thankfully, I can repel bugs without smelling like I've been dipped in Fido's flea bath at the vet's office. Actually, I can smell fresh, or more accurately, LA FRESH.

LA FRESH is offering a great new insect repellent that not only smells great, it works. They make all sorts of Health and Beauty products for men and women, but for ladies like me who like to head outdoors without smelling foul, their Insect Repellent Towelettes are perfect. These handy little wipes are made with 10% peppermint oil. They smell divine and you'll find it hard to believe that you're putting on insect repellent. Their towelletes are also DEET-free, a plus for most of us. After all DEET isn't just a health concern, it has a decidedly negative effect on the synthetics that make up many of today's technical garments.

Each towelette is individually packaged for easy travelling, hiking, and more - but not hunting. After all, they're not scent-free. Try some of La Fresh's All Natural Biodegradable Insect Repellent Towelettes soon. I think you'll be as impressed as I am. The MSRP for these all-natural, biodegradable insect repellent wipes is $4.99 for a package of six towelettes. You can learn more at: http://lafreshgroup.com

Becoming an Outdoors-Woman is a Hit in Alabama

The joke going around the Alabama 4-H Center recently - when can you find 125 women with smiles on their faces all at one time? Easy, the first weekends in March and October each year when the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) workshops are held at the center on Lay Lake.

Rebekah Okins of Oxford, left, and Charity Crews of Auburn join in the process of making squirrel dumplings during the recent BOW event at the Alabama 4-H Center near Columbiana.

Actually, it's not a joke at all. It's reality. Newcomers and veterans alike leave the stress of everyday life and are immersed into BOW's three-day workshop, which introduces and instructs women ages 18 years or older in a wide variety of outdoors skills. The workshop offers hands-on instruction in more than 50 courses such as backyard wildlife, rock climbing, camp cooking, map and compass, camping, mountain biking, shooting sports (gun safety, pistol, rifle, shotgun, muzzleloader), fishing, hunting, canoeing, nature photography, nature crafts, archery, ATV handling, bird watching, motor boat handling, and more.

"While the goal of the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshop is to teach beginners introductory outdoor skills in a non-threatening atmosphere under the direction of patient, enthusiastic instructors," said Sylvia Payne, BOW coordinator, "it also provides the opportunity for BOW alumni to perfect the skills learned as a beginner and build their self-confidence. That makes them excellent mentors for newcomers, not to mention providing social contact with like-minded individuals."

Once introduced to the program - no matter how reluctant the start - many of the women become avid BOW devotees. Renee Smith of Jackson is a perfect example.

"In 2003, I came the first time," Smith said. "I was recently widowed. I was looking for a way to connect with my pine trees. My husband and I had grown pine trees all of our married life. I had a done a little bit of hunting, a little bit of walking through the woods, but it was always behind him. Always. He loved the outdoors. I thought, 'This will be something I can carry on.'

"It had gotten to the point where I didn't want to go to the farm. I didn't want to be there. I had several family members tell me, 'You need to go back. You need to renew yourself and get in touch with things that are growing, things that are living.' I kept thinking, 'Nah, I can't.'"

Smith then read an article in the Rural Electric Association magazine about the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program, but she still resisted reconnecting with the outdoors.
: : For More : :