ARTIST: Don Balke (North Carolina, born 1933)
NAME: Bird - Blue Jay
YEAR: 1986
MEDIUM: gouache on board
CONDITION: Excellent
SIGHT SIZE: 11 x 11 inches / 27 x 27 cm
BOARD SIZE: 19 x 20 inches / 48 x 50 cm
SIGNATURE: lower right
NOTE: This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood First Day Cover for the U.S. Wildlife of the 50 States 22c Blue Jay/North Carolina stamp issued June 13, 1987. One of the most commonly found birds of the eastern United States, the Blue Jay is distinguished from other woodland birds by its piercing jay-jay-jay. Known for mimicking the harsh cries of hawks, the Blue Jay nevertheless occasionally sings its own soft, low song and imitates the musical sounds of other songbirds. An inhabitant of forests, suburban gardens and parks, this friendly bird is often found in close proximity to humans. The Blue Jay's curious nature excites birdwatchers who enjoy observing its theatrical antics. A blue-winged bird with white on its wings and tail, the Blue Jay displays a prominent blue crest and black necklace. Black barrings appear on its wings and tail, while its breast and face are white. Though the Blue Jay is easily spotted by its vivid coloring, it is a master of camouflage, able to hide among tree branches even during winter months. An active, noisy bird, the Blue Jay often travels in small parties and enjoys eating nuts, seeds, fruits and insects. During migration, this boisterous bird travels in loose flocks of five to 50 and is a fall and winter visitor to Oregon and California. The Blue Jay's nest is usually located in the fork of a tree or on a branch, and is made of moss, twigs and leaves, which both the male and female gather as a team. The female lays three to six eggs which hatch within 16 to 18 days. Young birds leave the nest in about three weeks.
PROVENANCE: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.
CATEGORY: antique vintage painting
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BIOGRAPHY:
Balke, the youngest of ten children, grew up on a farm in northern backcountry of Wisconsin. His family was completely dependent on the land; they tapped trees to make maple syrup; used crosscut saws for logging and horses for their farmwork; they raised crops for themselves and as income. His upbringing instilled in him a love of nature and wildlife. He received his first art award in a Wisconsin state-sponsored art contest while at elementary school for a painting of a black bear roaming in the woods. After serving in the US Army, he married Barbara Schernick[citation needed] and they moved to Chicago where he enrolled in the Academy of Fine Arts, now known as the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. During his time at the Academy, he specialized in still-life paintings. After graduating, he was hired by a Chicago illustrating studio and eventually moved back to Wisconsin where he worked as a commercial art director. He won many awards for his work as an art director and illustrator. On his own time, late in the night, he painted and developed his skills as a wildlife artist. After 17 years, he left his work as an art director to devote himself completely to watercolors and wildlife art. By 1979, they had six children and a home in the village of Thiensville, Wisconsin. Balke's love of nature took him to the NC mountains where he bought 200 acres in McDowell County and built a home. In 1985, a gallery was added and the Don Balke Wildlife Gallery was opened. In 1987, his work was chosen as the illustration for the official NC Zoo poster. In 1992, the United States Post Office issued a series of first-class postage stamps portraying five different species of hummingbirds designed by Balke. Balke travels to Africa, Australia, Ireland, the Caribbean, and across the 50 United States for inspiration and research. His wife, Barbara Schernick Balke, does extensive research on the animals and their habitats in preparation for the paintings and does much of the photography on research trips. He is best known for his detailed and realistic watercolor paintings portraying wildlife in their natural environment. In 2000, he transitioned to a more impressionistic style with oils portraying scenes from Yosemite National Park in California, Ocracoke Island on the Outer Banks, and Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina.