Some of state's best wildlife art at Middle Creek - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The first wildlife art appeared more than 30,000 years ago in Europe and Africa. Prehistoric humans painted images of wild animals on rock walls of caves and canyons.

The purpose of this artwork is unclear. Perhaps it served as field guides to area animals. Perhaps it was ceremonial. Or perhaps it was simply art.

Today, wildlife art is big business. With roots dating back to John James Audubon, modern wildlife art is a multi-billion dollar business. The works of artists such as Robert Bateman, Bev Doolittle and Carl Brenders can be found in living rooms and board rooms all around the world.

In Audubon's day, only the wealthy could afford original wildlife art. Now, many outstanding artists produce affordable signed and numbered prints that increase in value over time.

Anyone can afford to start collecting wildlife art by simply buying a federal duck stamp ($15) at a post office, or a state waterfowl stamp from the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Outdoor Shop (www.theoutdoorshop.state.pa.us/fbg). You get a collectible stamp, and conservation gets a little cash.

The PGC also sells a variety of wildlife prints that depict game and nongame species. Most prints sell for $125; framed prints cost $235. Another great source of original wildlife art is Bird Watcher's Digest (www.birdwatchersdigest.com/shop). A print of each issue's cover is available for $50 (a frame is an additional $99).

The best way to determine your tastes in wildlife art is to attend a show. And there's a big one coming next month at the PGC's Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area. The 26th annual Middle Creek Wildlife Art Show runs the weekend of Aug. 5-7 in the Visitor Center. Free admission. See the works of 30 of the state's finest wildlife artists, and perhaps take home a print or two.

Getting there is easy: From Pennsylvania Turnpike Exit 266, take Route 72 north to Route 419 north. Follow Route 419 north for approximately 7 miles to Route 897 in Shaefferstown. Follow Route 897 south for about 2 miles to Kleinfeltersville. Turn right at Hopeland Road in Kleinfeltersville. See the Visitors Center in about 2 miles on the right.

Scott Shalaway is a biologist and author. His other weekly Post-Gazette column,"GETintoNATURE," is published in the GETout section, available only online and in the early Sunday edition sold Saturdays in stores. Shalaway can be reached at http://scottshalaway.googlepages.com and RD 5, Cameron, WV 26033.

First published on July 10, 2011 at 12:00 am