Biography
Darrell Bush paints a variety of subjects ranging from wildlife, to landscapes, seascapes, nostalgia, and even an occasional still life. One element echoing through all of his art is the luminescent presence of light. Light, whether man-made or natural, creates a mood and helps convey the story.
While earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Northern Illinois University, Darrell was juried into the prestigious New York Society of Illustrators annual student competition. He then put his education to work in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he worked as an Illustrator for 5 years. He considered this position to be further training; having the opportunity to work under the seasoned illustrators with years of experience. It was during this time he began pursuing a second career as a fine artist. Wilderness Art is probably the term that best describes his work
His career hit the ground running in 1987, after winning two national stamp competitions for the state of Minnesota, and Idaho. He then began his career as a full time painter in 1989. Today there are nearly 100 images in print.
Darrell's success continued when he was named among America's 12 most popular artists by four different national art publications. Art publications like USArt magazine conducted these polls annually by surveying North American art galleries, and placed Darrell with high rankings for several years. The same publication named him a Rising Star in 1995.
Inform Art magazine named him one of the Top Ten Hottest New Artist in 1994. Darrell" work has also been juried into many fine art shows where he has received several "Best of Show" awards. In 1997, Darrell was named "Artist of the Year" at the Wildlife, Western, and Americana Art Show in Minneapolis, MN.
Two of his lithographs hang in the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and his work was also part of a special reception at the prestigious Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Actor Burt Reynolds and celebrity animal expert Jack Hanna also own his work.
Darrell has also contributed several print editions to The Boy Scouts of America fund-raising programs. In addition, a number of conservation organizations have also benefited from his generosity including The National Fish and Wildlife Federation, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever and The National Wild Turkey Federation. The publications Wildlife Art, U.S. Art, Inform Art, Midwest Today, Minnesota Water fowler, and Gander Mountain have all featured Darrell Bush's art.
"The wilderness has always fascinated me from its incredible landscapes to the animals that inhabit it and even our involvement with it. Once you take that step into the wilderness your baggage of daily life gets left behind, and you’re transported to that eternal place in nature that seems to always be waiting for you.
"I am especially interested in the history and the rich traditions of man’s involvement with nature. The sporting life that depicts the interaction between man and nature inspires me to create art that stands alone. I am always searching for that next great setting or antique props that will help me recreate those moments in time we call nostalgia."
