His highly sought after art has helped raise funds for FFF, Trout Unlimited, The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, St.Jude’s Hooked on a Cure, and numerous other conservation groups and organizations. He is the illustrator for Ozark Trout Tales, Home Waters, and created the popular 2005 Arkansas Game & Fish Foundation license plate with a White River rainbow trout scene. His angling peers have honored him with the first fly-rod Master Angler Award from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in 1989. He received the Silver Medal for the coaching the US Youth fly fishing team in the FIPS Mouche International Fly Fishing Competition in Wales. His art and fly fishing has allowed him to travel and experience many of the great angling destinations of the world.
Duane’s clients are often eager to have their outdoor adventures memorialized by him. His sketches, acrylics or watercolors frequently become prize possessions as souvenirs for his angling friends. Upon receiving his recently finished original, one client stated, “ I have an original piece of art that will forever refresh that special day on the river. It’s like having a modern day Winslow Homer”.
Duane holds a BSE in Art from the University of Central Arkansas. He has also received certification from the Federation of Fly Fishers as an instructor. He has taught numerous courses and workshops at local colleges and universities in fly fishing and art. His various slide presentation programs are popular with fly fishing clubs and conservation organizations. When you see Duane streamside staring into the water mesmerized by the sight of a wild finny creature suspended over a kaleidoscope palette of swaying rock and moss, he’s just contemplating whether to reach for the rod or the brush, or hopefully both.