Artist's Spotlight: James (Jim) Hautman Original Artist for Masterpiece by Numbers

The Hautman Brothers have established themselves among America’s foremost wildlife artists. All three brothers have received numerous honors and awards, and have dominated many state and national duck stamp competitions. At last count, the three brothers have seen their art featured on over 50 state and federal stamps. James, Robert and Joe are the only brothers ever to win the coveted Federal Duck Stamp Contest. In fact they’ve won the prestigious award a total of 13 times over the past 26 years including an unprecedented podium sweep, taking first, second and third place in 2015.

The Hautmans are so dominant in what is considered the ultimate prize in wildlife art that their talents were noted in a subplot of the Oscar-winning movie Fargo. Additionally both the book The Wild Duck Chase as well as the documentary Million Dollar Duck which aired on The Animal Planet, prominently feature the Hautman Brothers while exploring the unique world of competitive duck painting; the cornerstone of one of the world’s most successful conservation programs which has generated nearly $800 million toward conserving wetland habitats.

The Hautmans’ creations have been personally presented to the president in the Oval Office and are part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. In 2003 the three Hautman Brothers were selected to design a series of endangered species stamps for the United Nations.

James Hautman’s career took off in 1989 when, at the age of 25, he became the youngest artist to win the prestigious Federal Duck Stamp Award. He has since won four more times including his most recent victory in 2016 tying him with his brother Joe for the most ever wins in competition history. He was commissioned by the United Nations to paint a series of endangered species stamp designs. In addition Jim was chosen as the Ducks Unlimited 2011 Artist of the Year as well as 2014 Pheasants Forever Artist of the year.