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This young artist has had the example, encouragement, and help
of some of America's best and most well known wildlife artists....
Terry Redlin, Terry Isaac, and Paco Young, among so many others
have watched and encouraged Spies' career.
He is a Life member of Foundation for North American
Wild Sheep, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and Pheasants Forever,
a Heritage Sponsor of Ducks Unlimited, and a member of the Safari
Club International, National Turkey Federation, and the NRA.
Spies is one of six artists throughout the country selected
for the 2003 Ducks Unlimited National Art Package, and was also
a finalist in the 2003 DU International Artist of the Year competition.
His art was selected for the 2002 and 2003 Pheasants Forever
National Art packages, and his painting "Annual Descent"
was awarded People's Choice Winner in 2002 at the Foundation
for North American Wild Sheep National Convention. Spies was
also a finalist in two Federal Duck Stamp Competitions and recently
placed first place in the 2003 SD Duck Stamp Competition. His
painting, "Last Glance - Dall Sheep," received the
People's Choice Award and the Artist of the Year Award at the
Foundation for North American Wild Sheep National Convention
in 2004 and his original, "Turkey Ridge," was selected
for the 2005/2006 Ducks Unlimited National Art Package.
Additional accomplishments over the past year include having
his artwork selected to be in the MGM movie "A Guy Thing",
and having his artwork sold nationwide in Dillard's department
stores with their Hemingway furniture collection. "Twentieth
Century Fox" is using three paintings in their upcoming
movie titled "Electra" starring Jennifer Garner. Spies
was interviewed by People magazine, featured in US Art and Wildlife
Art Magazine, as well as featured in "People to Watch in
Year 2001 and Beyond" in the Sioux Falls, SD Argus Leader.
Spies' other notable achievements include receiving first place
in the "International Artists Management" art competition
in St. Petersburg, FL, as well as being a finalist in the International
Art Competition of N.Y. miniatures and the South Carolina Waterfowl
stamp competition. He excels in photography as well, and has
competed and attended Kodak/National Geographic Hot Shots in
Washington, D.C. and National Geographic Magazine's Workshop
and Competition in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He was recognized
for top photograph for the latter and was published by National
Geographic.
Spies is a resident of Watertown, South Dakota.
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