RONALD W. SCHLORFF
Artist, Biologist, Conservationist
P.O. Box 10
Pollock Pines, California 95726

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I was born in Winnipeg, Canada, and spent my early childhood in the wilds of northern Manitoba. It was in this wilderness environment that I first encountered a variety of birds and mammals in pristine habitats that left a lasting impression and would later become the subjects of some of my paintings.

While growing up, I was encouraged by my parents and teachers to draw and pursue other artistic endeavors. I began to see art as a potential career. However, it was during my tour of active duty in the U. S. Army in the late 60's that I instead decided to pursue a degree in the natural resources management field when I was able to resume my university education. I completed my two degrees in wildlife and natural resources before and during my early employment with the California Department of Fish and Game beginning in 1975.

I have been in my current position working with nongame and endangered birds and mammals since 1978. My duties involve the planning and administration of research and recovery programs to help reverse the decline of the several endangered animals currently assigned to me. I consider it to be critically important work.

Since college I have continued to draw and paint wildlife subjects. My day to day contact with wildlife as a professional scientist continually inspires me to depict what I see and learn about in the field in some of my paintings. Many of my drawings and paintings are based on my own field observations and other references related to my work in the field of conservation biology. I also have access to almost unlimited reference resources through my field experiences and my professional contacts which include wildlife photographers.

When I began painting wildlife exclusively in 1974, the art of Guy Coheleach had a major influence on my work. I have painted in oils and gouache but have settled on working with acrylics since about 1983. It was at that time that Robert Bateman became a lasting influence on my approach to wildlife art both technically and philosophically; the artist as a conservationist. Today I try to envision myself as the conservationist as an artist.

I have worked for the past several years as a scientist attempting to make contributions to the conservation of endangered birds and mammals. Now I hope to further the knowledge and appreciation of wildlife through my art. We who work in the wildlife conservation profession acknowledge and greatly appreciate the contributions made by certain artists to the effort to preserve our natural heritage.

North American birds and mammals, including some of the California endangered species I work with, constitute the majority of my painting subjects. However, I also enjoy painting other species found throughout the world, especially the large cats and many African animals. In addition to original paintings, I have recently self-published some limited-edition prints.

My artistic objectives are simply to continue to paint wildlife in natural habitat settings with an emphasis on birds and mammals of North America and elsewhere. I also wish to introduce the art appreciating public to some little-known and relatively uncommonly-depicted subjects, several of which are currently on the endangered species list in California and elsewhere.

Finally, I believe my background as a wildlife scientist, experienced with the behavior and habitat relationships of several species, can contribute some unique insights which can enhance the credibility of my art. I hope my work can also contribute something to the worldwide effort to conserve our precious wildlife heritage for its own intrinsic value as well as a source of beauty and wonder for our human descendants.

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