Contemporary Artists

Claudio's work is represented in numerous private and corporate collections in Canada, the U.S. and Europe. As well, his commissioned images have appeared on coins for the Royal Canadian Mint and on several conservation stamps for the Fondation de la Faune du Québec. His work has been the subject of several magazine articles and has been showcased in books such as L’Âme des Oiseaux (Éditions Henri Rivard, 2005), The Best of Wildlife Art (North Light Books, 1997) and From the Wild (Summerhill Press, 1986). A signature member of the Society of Animal Artists, he exhibits often in their annual group shows. As well, he exhibits at the Algonquin Art Center in Ontario and the Bennington Center for the Arts, Vermont, in which he is represented in their permanent collection

Terry Donahue has been a professional artist for a number of years but only turned to the pastel medium 13 years ago. According to Terry, "I wanted to loosen up from a photo realistic style. I wanted my work to be more expressive, more painterly and I wanted to develop my own artistic identity. I also needed a change and a challenge to help me loosen up my drawing style, which the pastel medium provided." Donahue's pastel work is attracting a lot of attention in the wildlife art world and has already earned him numerous awards.

Everyone agrees, Stuart Dunkel's paintings are adorable, humorous and sweet. People also recognize that each picture is exceptionally well painted. Stuart Dunkel is multi talented to say the least. He's a painter, a musician and an author. Sight, sound and words are the tools of his unique expressions. He began painting at age five and at age seven was studying music. Disciplined formal training appealed to Dunkel and he dedicated his life to in-depth study of all three expressions. He studied music and art at Boston University, Mannes College of Music, the Juilliard School (Doctorate), and art at the Boston Museum School, Kent State, the Academy of Realist Art, the Seattle Academy of Art as well as privately with respected teachers. After all that he still feels that he is self-taught. His breakthrough moment in art came when he discovered that music and art were made up of the same ideas. Conceptual juxtaposition has always been his gift. Rhythm, harmony, counterpoint, balance, contrast, scales, chromatism, keys, high and low, dark and bright, loud and soft, colorful and dull, jumbled in his minds eye - all the polarities in the arts and indeed in life itself!

Mark Eberhard is one of the finest wildlife painters working today. His approach to his artwork is fresh and creative and showcases his talent as a painter. Wildlife art can be so boring on so many levels but not when it is the subject of an Eberhard painting. His manipulation of space, composition and color is masterful. A nice selection of Mark's work is always on view at the Gallery and a major exhibition of his work is staged every two years.

Valerie Hinz (rhymes with pins) is a skilled painter, capable of painting a variety of subjects from equestrian scenes to wildlife images. No matter what the subject, each painting reveals an appealing composition bathed in warm light and usually accented with rich, juicy colors. Though her scenes are all representational, her painterly brush strokes are usually referred to as "impressionistic." A number of paintings by Ms. Hinz are always on view at the gallery.

Born in 1938 on a coffee farm in Kenya, Phyllida Meacham was educated in Kenya until 1952, when she went to England to Cranbourne Chase School in Dorset to finish her education. After finishing boarding school, the following four years were spent at Chelsea School of Art in London for her National Diploma in Design, where she also studied sculpture under Dame Elizabeth Frink. She returned to Kenya in 1960 where, at first, landscape painting predominated, followed by commissions received to paint racehorses, including the Jockey Club of Kenya to paint a set of Nairobi racetrack scenes. Soon, involvement with polo began, as did commissions to paint polo ponies. Her first bronze sculpture, a polo piece, was completed in 1973 and exhibited at the Tryon Gallery, a leading international wildlife gallery, in their Nairobi showroom, moving to their London gallery in 1975. A new relationship was established in 1977 with Britain's top equestrian gallery, Arthur Ackermann & Son of Old Bond Street, London, which continued until their closure in 1991. Her pieces have been purchased by individuals and collectors in Kenya, Europe, America, Australia, Argentina, Japan, and Ireland. The artist's profile and sculpture appear in The Dictionary of British Equestrian Artists published in 1985. Since April 1990, her castings from all her editions have been displayed at the International Museum of the Horse, Kentucky Horse Park, near Lexington, Kentucky. Shortly after this relationship was established, a solo exhibition was held at the Kentucky Horse Park at the invitation of the United States Polo Association for their 1990 Open Polo Championship Tournament. The following year her bronzes were exhibited in the Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh, and at the All Ireland Polo International Tournament in Dublin. He sculptures were again exhibited in Ireland at the Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin, in 1992. She is a full member of the American Academy of Equine Art and a member of the British Society of Equestrian Artists, winning various sculpture accolades since 1993 from the latter, including the Polo Quarterly International award for best polo work of art in 1994 and 1995, and first prize in 2000 for best sculpture from the British Sporting Art Trust for her racing piece. Phyllida became a life member of the British Sporting Art Trust in 2001. One of the finest equine sculptors working today, Phyllida's work is steeped in tradition. Her exacting attention to detail and classic patinas evoke the memory of the most famous 'animalier' sculptors of the 19th century. Cast in very small editions of 10 or less, Phyllida's work encompasses racing, polo, steeplechasing, and showing. All work is cast in Great Britain and can be special ordered. The Sporting Gallery acts as Phyllida Meacham's sole U.S. agent.

Considered the "first lady" of equine sporting art, Fay Moore is a master pastelist and chronicler of the American and European racing scene. Her "signature" style and media mix of pastels over watercolor, gouache and ink, which has been christened "Neo-Pointillism," has established her as one of the most innovative and exciting painters of the contemporary sporting scene. Fay has been represented by the Sporting Gallery for over 20 years.