Many collectors in America are proud owners of one of Brent Townsend’s

supremely detailed views of the North American wilderness. But almost every

Canadian has a piece of Townsend art in their possession—in their pockets,

perhaps, or on a desktop. His is the polar bear image on Canada’s two dollar

coin, affectionately known as the "toonie."

That is only the latest acknowledgment that Townsend is one of Canada’s

favorite and foremost wildlife artists. In fact, he was both the first Canadian

and the youngest person ever to be named "Artist of the Year" by the 1989

Western and Wildlife Art Exhibition. Pretty impressive for a man who considers

himself essentially self-taught and started selling his artwork in the seventh

grade.

His lifelong fascination with the details of wilderness and the wealth of

wildlife that could be found just outside, started when he grew up in a house

bordered by a ravine on one side and a creek on the other. Inspired by Carl

Rungius, Andrew Wyeth and other independently spirited artists, he started

trying to capture on paper what he discovered in the wild. "I’d rather be out

exploring, studying, sketching, photographing and painting," he says, "than

discussing history, technique or career."

His incredibly detailed, yet clear and precise art has gained admirers across

the world. Named the featured artist at the Vancouver International Wildlife

Art Show and a participant of the World Wildlife Fund’s "Spirit of the Wild"

Show, he was also one of just five artists asked to exhibit with the Canadian

Wildlife Art Exhibition in Osaka and Tokyo, Japan.