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_6A-THE \E MCDOWELL NEWS, MONDAY, MAY 23, 1983

“Don Balke Works

To Be Displayed At Artfest Event

Looking back over his career as ar ar-

tist, it seems only natural that Don Balke

should have chosen wildlife art as a specialty.

Born in the backwoods. of north central Wisconsin, Balke was the youngest of 10 children growing up in an area con- sidered wild country and blessed with an abundance of wild animals

Also during those early years on the farm, and after leaving the farm for a tour in the Army, a pencil for sketching was like a natural extension of his hand.

But it was work as an art director with an advertising agency that convinced Balke he should make the transition from commercial artist to wildlife artist.

“While I was with the ad agency I work- ed with accounts that sold animal health care products,” Balke said. “I was il- lustrating Herfords, chickens, turkeys and pigs. |,

“I soon realized how much I was in- terested in wildlife and the endless varie- ty it offered. ’

“There are thousands of species out there, so the work never gets boring,” said Balke, who will be the featured ar- tist during the Mooresville Summer Art- fest sponsored by NCNB National Bank June 4-5 in Mooresville.

During the Mooresville show in the main NCNB office at 314 N. Main St., Balke will exhibit a number of works, in- cluding some new originals. The show is open free to the public from 1-5 p.m. both days.

Once Balke had chosen wildlife as a specialty, it then made sense for him, his wife and five of their six children to move to the North Carolina mountains -- an

Artist At Home

Local wildlife artist Don Balke will be the featured artist in the Mooresville Summer Artfest, sponsored by NCNB National Bank June 4-5 in Mooresville. Balke will exhibit a number of works, including

some new originals.

area with an abundance of subject mat- ter for a wildlife artist.

“We started taking our children to the east coast on vacations 18 or 19 years ago. Cape Hatteras was our favorite spot for camping, but we also visited other places, including the mountains.

“Finally, my move into wildlife art allowed me to bring my family here some four years ago.”

Balke and his family live in a solar home near Marion. The 200-acre loca- tion, which includes his studio, has pro- vided excellent inspiration as evidenced

by growing recognition for his work.

Balke has created a number of major wildlife collections, including “Wildlife of the 50 States,” a collection issued by the National Audubon Society of an animal and a tree for each of the 50 states.

Balke has also created a collection of 50 varieties of songbirds and flowers and is currently working on “Waterfowl of the 50 States,”

He has been reproducing his originals as limited edition color prints since 1973 and has won several awards for his work.