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Dan Ostermiller Biography
From a very young age, Dan Ostermiller was exposed to the artistic handling of the animal form; his father was a successful taxidermist, and this prompted him to decide that sculpting animals would become his life's work. Considered one of the foremost wildlife sculptors working in the United States today, Ostermiller is admired for his thorough knowledge of animal anatomy, his deft manipulation of line, form and mass, and his tendency to approach his subjects with compassion and insight. One of America's foremost wildlife sculptors, Dan Ostermiller works in a realist style and is admired for his extensive knowledge of animal anatomy, high level of craftsmanship, and compassionate treatment of his subjects. He is committed to studying animals in their own environments and strives to put character into his pieces. His is a fluid style that conveys grace of motion, and he quite often works on fifteen to twenty pieces at a time. Ostermiller has also taught animal anatomy and the animal characteristics around the world.
Throughout his career, Ostermiller has expanded his knowledge of wildlife and habitat with expeditions to Alaska, Africa and all corners of the American West. His development has been a constant building and learning process. His sculptures capture a moment in time, implying a narrative, while depicting a mood. Ostermiller's personal experiences with animals are key to the design and character of each work.
Ostermiller began producing monumental sculpture in 1985 and since that time has executed numerous major commissions for museums, parks and private corporations; in 1987 he was recognized by the governor of Wyoming at the dedication of one of his sculptures at the state capitol. His memberships include the National Sculpture Society, The Nature Conservancy, the National Audubon Society, the Society of Animal Artists, Ducks Unlimited and the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep. He currently lives and works in Loveland, Colorado where he is surrounded by a park of his sculpture, a stream, waterfall and grounds with wild birds. In addition to sculpting, he enjoys hiking, gourmet cooking and collecting cars. By the late 1990's, He had created nearly 250 different pieces of sculpture.
Dan Ostermiller is a member of the National Sculpture Society, the Allied Artists in New York, the Society of Animal Artists, Ducks Unlimited and the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep. His work is in such permanent collections as the Wyoming State Museum in Cheyenne, Wyoming; the Wildlife World Museum, in Monument, Colorado and Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, Colorado.
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