MONROE - Eugene Upward and his wife, Lois, joined Ritch Miller and I for lunch at the Swiss Haus recently. Great idea, because without his good friend and mentor present, Miller's tremendous talents and accomplishments are less likely to get an honest appraisal.
A modest and down-to-earth man, the Monroe artist would be the last to boast of his extensive abilities. Gene Upward, on the other hand, is not shy about singing the praises of perhaps the most versatile artist in Wisconsin - one whose creativity adorns many of Upward's turkey calls that sometimes bring thousands of dollars at National Wild Turkey Federation events around the country.
"He just won the Sponsor Print of the Year competition for Ducks Unlimited, and he won the Wisconsin Wild Turkey stamp contest in 2002," Upward announces with pride. In response, Miller blushes a bit at his fellow artisan's grand proclamations.
"He must use an air brush!" someone at a national competition once asked of Upward. "Nope," replied the champion turkey call-maker from Hazel Green. "You can't do that detail with an air brush."
Upward and Miller, a graphic designer at Swiss Colony in Monroe, originally got together in the early 90s through Upward's niece, Cathy Crubaugh, who also works at the Colony. Since then, the two craftsmen have combined talents on more than 300 turkey calls.
Many of these custom-made specimens head up the list of auction items at area banquets and other fund raisers, each one donated by Upward with Miller's signature artwork featured prominently.
Invariably, the most vigorous bidding takes place when the turkey call comes up on the docket. Such was the case at the recent Argyle Rod & Gun Club's annual banquet when auctioneer Zeke Garthwaite's rapid-fire chatter drew bids from several eager competitors.
At this event, Dean Lehr of Monroe was the successful bidder at more than $900. In addition to a bright and bold turkey with its wings spread broadly, the call features a finely-detailed image of the AR&G Club structure located on Wisconsin 81 between Argyle and Monroe.
But his work with Upward is only part of Miller's busy schedule as he pursues his life-long avocation as a wildlife artist. And the work doesn't end with the last stroke of the brush. The DU painting will be reproduced no less than 4,000 times, each one requiring an original signature and number.
The painting depicts a pair of wood ducks floating serenely on a milky surface. The multicolored male with its flashing iridescent plumage and piercing red eye contrasts with the drab, dappled browns of the female. A sprig of oak leaves with mature acorns attached drops gently from the upper right corner, adding color and context.
Miller also does individual pieces commissioned by those who recognize the quality of his work and want an enduring reminder of some cherished event or natural environment recorded on canvas.
Check out Ritch Miller's work at www.rmillerwildlifegallery.com.
Turkey Trackers to hold banquet
The Pecatonica Valley Turkey Trackers Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will hold its 19th annual banquet on March 10 at the Ludlow Mansion, Monroe. The event offers a fine meal and numerous raffle and auction items. Individuals bringing in a non-perishable food item for a local food pantry will receive extra raffle tickets.
For more information about the event, call Vickie Pilz at (608) 966-3560.
- Lee Fahrney is the Times outdoors writer. He can be reached at (608) 967-2208 or at fiveoaks@mhtc.net.
A modest and down-to-earth man, the Monroe artist would be the last to boast of his extensive abilities. Gene Upward, on the other hand, is not shy about singing the praises of perhaps the most versatile artist in Wisconsin - one whose creativity adorns many of Upward's turkey calls that sometimes bring thousands of dollars at National Wild Turkey Federation events around the country.
"He just won the Sponsor Print of the Year competition for Ducks Unlimited, and he won the Wisconsin Wild Turkey stamp contest in 2002," Upward announces with pride. In response, Miller blushes a bit at his fellow artisan's grand proclamations.
"He must use an air brush!" someone at a national competition once asked of Upward. "Nope," replied the champion turkey call-maker from Hazel Green. "You can't do that detail with an air brush."
Upward and Miller, a graphic designer at Swiss Colony in Monroe, originally got together in the early 90s through Upward's niece, Cathy Crubaugh, who also works at the Colony. Since then, the two craftsmen have combined talents on more than 300 turkey calls.
Many of these custom-made specimens head up the list of auction items at area banquets and other fund raisers, each one donated by Upward with Miller's signature artwork featured prominently.
Invariably, the most vigorous bidding takes place when the turkey call comes up on the docket. Such was the case at the recent Argyle Rod & Gun Club's annual banquet when auctioneer Zeke Garthwaite's rapid-fire chatter drew bids from several eager competitors.
At this event, Dean Lehr of Monroe was the successful bidder at more than $900. In addition to a bright and bold turkey with its wings spread broadly, the call features a finely-detailed image of the AR&G Club structure located on Wisconsin 81 between Argyle and Monroe.
But his work with Upward is only part of Miller's busy schedule as he pursues his life-long avocation as a wildlife artist. And the work doesn't end with the last stroke of the brush. The DU painting will be reproduced no less than 4,000 times, each one requiring an original signature and number.
The painting depicts a pair of wood ducks floating serenely on a milky surface. The multicolored male with its flashing iridescent plumage and piercing red eye contrasts with the drab, dappled browns of the female. A sprig of oak leaves with mature acorns attached drops gently from the upper right corner, adding color and context.
Miller also does individual pieces commissioned by those who recognize the quality of his work and want an enduring reminder of some cherished event or natural environment recorded on canvas.
Check out Ritch Miller's work at www.rmillerwildlifegallery.com.
Turkey Trackers to hold banquet
The Pecatonica Valley Turkey Trackers Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will hold its 19th annual banquet on March 10 at the Ludlow Mansion, Monroe. The event offers a fine meal and numerous raffle and auction items. Individuals bringing in a non-perishable food item for a local food pantry will receive extra raffle tickets.
For more information about the event, call Vickie Pilz at (608) 966-3560.
- Lee Fahrney is the Times outdoors writer. He can be reached at (608) 967-2208 or at fiveoaks@mhtc.net.
