FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 31, 2019) — Experience Kentucky nature through the eyes of fish and wildlife artist Rick Hill during a special exhibition this November at the state Capitol rotunda in Frankfort.
Hill is an artist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources and paints the covers for Kentucky Afield, the department’s quarterly magazine.
The “Kentucky Afield Illustrated” exhibition, featuring dozens of the Shelby County resident’s meticulously crafted paintings, opens Nov. 1 and continues through Nov. 26.
“This is the first time a collection of Hill’s paintings has been exhibited for widespread public viewing,” Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Rich Storm said. “We think anyone who appreciates the artwork of Paul Sawyier will want to see the work of today’s preeminent nature artist of Kentucky.”
The display includes 40 acrylic paintings specially created by Hill over the past two decades for the covers of Kentucky Afield. Subjects include a timberdoodle, shellcracker, American kestrel, gray fox, elk, various sporting scenes and more. Also featured are an ecosystem painting and a stunning portrayal of a Kentucky bobcat prowling the ridgetops of the Red River Gorge.
The Kentucky Arts Council worked closely with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife to help make the exhibition possible. In addition to providing the necessary hardware and panels, the Arts Council lent technical advice on how to put on the exhibition and has helped cross-promote the display on social media platforms.
“We’re always excited when we get to collaborate with one of our sister agencies in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet,” said Chris Cathers, Kentucky Arts Council executive director. “This exhibit showcasing Rick Hill’s exquisite work as a Kentucky wildlife artist is the perfect marriage of the missions of the Arts Council and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. We’re looking forward to the great success this exhibit will undoubtedly have.”
Hill is a self-taught artist and naturalist.
His career with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife started as a Fisheries Division creel clerk in 1986. In 1994, he became the department’s full-time artist.
Hill’s works rely on the interplay of light with the subjects. As a naturalist, his accuracy of fish and wildlife subjects in their natural environments is unmatched.
Five of Hill’s nature subjects, including a bobcat, deer, cardinal, quail and smallmouth bass, currently appear on Kentucky specialty license plates. Proceeds from those “nature plates” help to fund protection of special natural areas across the Commonwealth.
The
state Capitol is open to visitors from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern) Monday through Friday. The Capitol is closed on weekends in November. The building address is 700 Capital Ave. in Frankfort.