Paintings by one of America’s most influential wildlife artists were featured in this exhibition at the Wildling Art Museum, Los Olivos, beginning September 18.

“Bob Kuhn: Mammals Up Close and Personal” included more than 30 portrayals of North American wildlife loaned by private collectors and museums throughout the country.

A native of Buffalo, NY, Kuhn was born in January 1920. As a boy, he began to observe and draw animals at the nearby zoo. From 1937 to 1940 Kuhn attended the Pratt Institute in New York City, where he studied design, anatomy and life drawing. After serving in the Merchant Marine during World War II, he gained prominence for his illustrations of African and North American wildlife that appeared in many publications, including Field & Stream, and Outdoor Life magazines.

In 1970, Kuhn gave up illustration and turned exclusively to easel painting. He is as comfortable painting African lions as North American polar bears or South American Jaguars. His palette aptly changes when depicting the settings each animal inhabits. He is acknowledged for his sense of color and style, but he is also lauded for the diverse subject matter.

“We are delighted to be able to have this exhibition,” said Museum president Patti Jacquemain. “Bob Kuhn’s name is synonymous with great paintings of America’s wild animals, and this will be a wonderful opportunity for our visitors to see the best of the best.”

“Organizing this exhibition has been a real experience,” adds Marlene Miller, guest curator and a founding director of the Museum. “I’ve been astonished to discover how loyal Bob’s collectors are, and how highly they regard him, both as a person, and as an artist.”

Now residing in Tucson, Arizona, Kuhn is the recipient of numerous medals and awards, and his work is included in the permanent collection of the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, Wyoming, the Genesee Country Village and Museum in Mumford, New York, and the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Bob Kuhn will receive an additional honor on October 16, when the Wildling Art Museum presents him with its 2005 Wilderness Spirit Award at a symposium on wildlife art at the Santa Barbara Club.

A special preview reception for the Kuhn exhibition was held the evening of September 17, as part of the Museum’s benefit dinner, “Wildlings After Dark.” A painting by Kuhn was be auctioned that evening.