Desmond McCaffrey has always relied on his personal interactions with nature to inspire his artwork. As a self taught artist, he works essentially in acrylics to express his passion for nature and wildlife. Desmond was born in North Battleford, Saskatchewan in 1962. The young McCaffrey family spent a few years in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan before moving to Edmonton, Alberta when he was four years old. Looking back on those early years of grade school in Edmonton the fishing and hunting trips with his father where of great influence. Upon returning home, several pencil drawings or small watercolours depicting the birds and animals he observed would inevitably result. In 1973, the McCaffrey’s moved north to Grande Prairie, Alberta where suddenly a wealth of inspiration for his paintings abounded. The family’s new home was situated just above Bear Creek where the twelve year old Desmond began spending countless hours exploring the ravine and observing the wildlife living there. In his early 20’s, Desmond gained valuable insight into animal anatomy by starting his own taxidermy business. He also found employment as a big game hunting guide with the local outfitters which provided the artist with an additional opportunity to study the behaviors and interactions of wild animals such as moose, elk, deer, wolves and bear. Desmond generously donates select pieces of artwork every year to raise thousands of dollars for many worthwhile wildlife and habitat conservation efforts. He believes that the conservation efforts of today will enable his children and grandchildren to enjoy and experience nature as he has. Desmond has now been a full time wildlife artist since 1989. His artwork has appeared on the covers of various magazines and publications across the country and he has earned numerous awards and special commissions. Select pieces of his original art are published into Limited Edition Prints that are currently being distributed to collectors all across Canada and the U.S. Desmond’s artistic audience continues to grow, with his original work often selling before it leaves his easel. |
Special Awards
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