Last evening we learned of the passing of another friend, noted wildlife artist, Gregory Clair, who died January 8, 2009 in Scottsdale AZ. He was 54. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.Gregory Clair`s experience in the outdoors began early as he accompanied his father hunting upland birds in Ohio and Michigan. Greg later studied and painted wildlife, entering his first art competition in 1989...the 1990 Ohio Wetlands Stamp Contest. He was a semifinalist.
The next year he won the Ohio contest. Over the next 17 years, he received many honors and worked with and donated to Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, National Wild Turkey Federation, Quail Unlimited, Ruffed Grouse Society and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. His base was Bowling Green OH and later, Scottsdale.
"Whenever I am in the out-of-doors I am awed at the diversity and intricacy of God`s magnificent creation," he said. "I hope to evoke similar emotions in those who view my art."
Among Greg's accomplishments:
1991 Ohio Duck Stamp winner
1999 Ohio Ducks Unlimited Sponsor Artist
2002 Ohio Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year
2004 Federal Duck Stamp Contest, fourth place
2005 Ohio Ducks Unlimited Sponsor Artist
2006 Ohio Duck Stamp winner
2006 Ohio Magazine's Ohioan of the Month
2007 Ohio Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year
2007 Ohio Ducks Unlimited Sponsor Artist
2007 Buckmasters Print of the Year
2007 Featured Print South Carolina Waterfowl Assoc.
Greg was a regular contributor to Gallery One's annual Masterworks in Miniature event and was a featured Gallery One artist.
4 comments:
Whenever Greg Clair undertook any task that facinated him, he always appproached it the same way. Always with an eye for profectionism. He was a modern renaissance man for nature who carried all the needed information and skills within his mind and the respect and love of the wild in his heart.He loved to lead. He loved to be first with the answer to the riddle or question. He loved to teach. He had sush presense and charisma and knowledge of his subject that it was easy to be led under his spell and learn for hours.
Greg sat next to me in 7th grade math and he was always drawing something. I would watch him and he was very talented even way back then. He was soft-spoken, deeply intense and spiritual. His art and its power will live on. He left the world a better place for his contributions.
Thank you for your memories. Thinking of my dad tonight, I miss him. I really love his artwork and I see a lot of myself in him. It's so good to see the impact he made on others in his life. I look forward to meeting him again in our Father's kingdom. Until then, he will be sorely missed.
Oh my...I had no idea that my classmate and friend from Bowling Green High School had died. I so often think of him often and as a Realtor I sold he and his beautiful wife their home on US 25 on the outskirts of Bowling Green, Ohio. The last time I saw Derek he was just a toddler. I wish I had kept in touch as I too live in Phoenix, AZ and would have loved to be in closer contact as we were just miles apart. I too have some fun memories with Greg clear back to grade school years. May he continue to live on through his talents as an artist and in the hearts and memories who knew him.
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