Biography

A childhood surrounded by nature often provides the building blocks for future wildlife artists.  It serves to create a reverence for the earth’s tremendous and amazing variety of life forms.  Growing up on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, Eva spent her childhood exploring the woodlands, marshes, and ponds of the Indiana Dunes.  Many happy hours were spent scouring the dunes and their ponds for frogs, tadpoles, turtles, toads, and salamanders.  She also gives great credit to her mother for boldly taking her children camping each summer, across the U.S. and Canada.  That early exposure to so many different types of habitats and wildlife, helped to further instill her love of nature and wild places.

 

Naturally, her love of drawing animals began quite early.  And, surprisingly, horses came into her life during her early teen years, giving her greater access to wild areas where few people venture.  Eva notes, “I, like most children, was in love with animals- especially the wild ones.  Each fleeting encounter left a hauntingly beautiful image etched in my mind.  Even now, they rattle around for years, waiting to come back to life in the form of a sculpture or painting.  As an adult, I find that all of the fieldwork and research that goes into being able to accurately recreate those moments, rejuvenates my spirit and reconnects my soul to all that has come before and all that I hope will continue after.”

 

Though always a creative person, fine art came into her life with a plein aire oil painting class in Santa Cruz, California in 1979, while pregnant with her first baby.  What a time to discover your life’s true passion!  Carving and sculpting were to follow.  Since then, life has taken Eva from the redwoods and ocean of California, to living in the Hill Country of Texas, the remote mountains of western North Carolina, the piedmont of Virginia, the beautiful wooded hills of south-central Indiana, the Ozarks of southwestern Missouri, and finally, Colorado!  Though primarily a self-taught artist, Eva gratefully and lovingly acknowledges each and every creative soul who has graced her life with their love, friendship, inspiration, mentoring, and encouragement.

 

After working with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries for 3 years- and having completed the hands-on responsibilities of raising her family- her travels have now taken her across the length and breadth of North America several times- from Washington State to Florida, Prince Edward Island to Arizona and California.  2005 took her around the far side of the world, to Australia and China- her first world travels!  Though some of those “down-under” creatures may eventually find their way into some of her work, Eva focuses primarily on North American wildlife.  2016 brought a 10-week travel throughout the wonders of Alaska – truly the opportunity of a lifetime for a wildlife artist!

 

“It is terribly important to educate our people- especially the children- about the amazing variety and needs of the creatures and plants native to our planet.  Wildlife art helps in that mission.  Wildlife art can have an effect on the way we view our planet and her creatures, as well as how we see ourselves- mere parts within the extremely complex web of life - interconnected and interdependent.  Our earth is made up not only of today, but also the remnants of all time before, and the fragile promise of all that may come after.  Given the proper stewardship, the earth possesses a remarkable ability to replenish and heal itself.  Art reminds us to stop, brush off the dust of our everyday lives, and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.”

 

Testimonials:

  • Alive!  Eva Stanley's  works are alive.  That is the most descriptive word I can attach to hers pieces.  Many years ago I bought her Box Turtle and every time I look at it it still surprises me as to how alive it looks.  As I pick it up and feel the weight of the bronze, and look closely at what is clearly a metal patina, I know logically it is a sculpture, but when I put it down I feel it will just slowly walk away on its own.  The Gila Monster which Ms Stanley displayed at last year's Sculpture in the Park show in Loveland produced that same feeling.  I -- and numerous other admirers -- just stared at the Gila Monster waiting for it to move. 

                          -- Jim Q., Loveland, Colorado, USA –

 

  • I first met Eva at the Loveland “Sculpture in the Park” show.  I am an avid birder and had been looking for some bird sculptures to display in my home.  She had several bird pieces on display at her booth as well as other animals.  I really became attached to a sculpture of a Baltimore Oriole she had on display and purchased it.  Since then I have commissioned her to do two more pieces for me.  I have never found her less than professional in our contractual dealings. She shows me the work in progress, and keeps me posted on her thoughts and feelings on the piece.  It makes me feel like I am part of the process.  I've had the privilege of watching her take measurements of museum specimens and was struck by the amount of respect and reverence she shows to her subjects.  She obviously loves what she does, and the animals she reproduces in bronze. To me personally, to have some of these birds displayed in three-dimension in my home is the next best thing to actually being out in nature with them.  It brings a sense of peace to a sometimes chaotic world.  As so many people have said, art is food for the soul.  We may exist without art in our lives, but would we want to?

‑‑Helmut R., Loveland, Colorado, USA –

 

  • Our group contracted with Eva Stanley and Sharon Fullingim to design a sculpture which would greet visitors coming to the Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area in SW Indiana. Their design, featuring bronze Sandhill Cranes upon a sculptured limestone base, was selected unanimously from among the designs submitted to our Board of Directors. The finished work beautifully captured the essence of our wetland’s signature bird species – the Sandhill Crane.  Eva and Sharon’s work was done on time, on budget, and with wonderful esthetic intent. We have no hesitation in recommending the work of these exceptional artists.

Friends of Goose Pond – Linton, Indiana --

 
Support for Conservation: 

Artists For Conservation

Society of Animal Artists

Nature Conservancy

Audubon Society

Audubon Rockies

National Wildlife Federation
 

Special Achievements: 

Permanent Collections

2018  “Off  To A Good Start ” - Nesting Bald Eagle family, Na ‘Āina Kai Sculpture and Botanical Gardens,       Kauai, Hawaii
2016  Gt. Horned Owl, Ravens, Ozark Mus. of Nat. Hist., Art of Chase Studio Traveling Exhibit, Chase Studio, Missouri

2016  Gt. Horned Owl, Blue Jay -  (OMNH) Taneyhills Children’s Library, Branson, Missouri

2016  Saddle-billed Stork, miniature - (OMNH) Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C.

2015  Sora Rail, Killdeer, N. Cardinal, N. Flicker, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Red Squirrel – (OMNH) Illinois State           Museum, Springfield, Illinois

2015  Great Horned Owl – (OMNH) The Scott Family Amazeum Children’s Museum, Bentonville, Arkansas

2015  Animal Tracks and Scat, Bronze plaques – (OMNH) Grand Canyon National Park Visitor Center, Arizona

2015  Blue Jay – (OMNH) Shafer Memorial Art Gallery museum, Great Bend, Kansas

2013  “Eyes On The Prize” – Greater Roadrunners and Collared Lizard, Na ‘Āina Kai Sculpture and Botanical Gardens,

          Kauai, Hawaii
2012 “The Winds of Change” – Greater Sandhill Cranes, Goose Pond State Fish and Wildlife Area Visitor Center            Monument, Linton, Indiana
2012  “Beaded Lace” – Gila Monster, Na ‘Āina Kai Sculpture and Botanical Gardens, Kauai, Hawaii

2009  “Last Tango” – Tarantula with Cockroach, Na ‘Āina Kai Sculpture and Botanical Gardens, Kauai, Hawaii

2008 “Space Invasion” – Prairie Rattlesnake, Na ‘Āina Kai Sculpture and Botanical Gardens, Kauai, Hawaii

2007 “Space Invasion” – Prairie Rattlesnake, commission, The Wildlife Experience, Parker, Colorado

 

Commissions / Awards

2019  “Untitled” – 3 American Avocets, commission, Private Collection, Colorado

2019  “Untitled” – Red-headed Woodpecker, commission, Private Collection, Colorado

2018  “Off To A Good Start”- Nesting Bald Eagle family, Na ‘Āina Kai Sculpture and Botanical Gardens, Kauai, Hawaii

2014  “Beaded Lace” – Gila Monster, New Mexico Art In Public Places, Lordsburg Port of Entry, New Mexico
2014  “Eyes On The Prize” – Roadrunners, ** Top Sculpture Award **, “America’s Parks II”, Through the Beauty of Art
2014  “Beaded Lace” – Gila Monster, Honorable Mention, “America’s Parks II”, Through the Beauty of Art
2014  “Desert Denizen” – Wtrn. Screech Owl, Honorable Mention, “America’s Parks II”, Through the Beauty of Art
2013  “The Winds of Change” - Bronze Sandhill Cranes in flight, ** Award of Excellence **, Artists For Conservation

          Foundation, "The Art of Conservation 2013"
2013  “Eyes On The Prize” – Greater Roadrunners and Collared Lizard, Na ‘Āina Kai Sculpture and Botanical Gardens,

          Kauai, Hawaii
2012  “The Winds of Change” – Greater Sandhill Cranes, Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area Visitor Center Monument,
           Linton, Indiana
2012  “Beaded Lace” – Gila Monster, Na ‘Āina Kai Sculpture and Botanical Gardens, Kauai, Hawaii

2010  “Checking out the Competition” – Red-breasted Merganser, 1st Place, Sculpture Division, Indiana Wildlife Artists  

           Competition, Muncie, Indiana

2009  “Last Tango” –Tarantula / Roach, commission, Na ‘Āina Kai Sculpture and Botanical Gardens, Kauai, Hawaii

2008  “On My Way” – Young Eastern Box Turtle, Runner Up (3-D) to Best of Show, American Women Artists National

            Juried Competition, Pasadena, California

2008  “The Swimming Lesson” – Am. Alligators, 3rd Place, Ward World Championship Carving                                      Competition, Sculpture Division, Ocean City, Maryland

2008  “Time to be Moving On” – Copperhead Snake, Honorable Mention, International Exhibition on Animals in   Art,  

             School Of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

2007  “Space Invasion” – Prairie Rattlesnake, commission, The Wildlife Experience, Parker, Colorado

2005  “Time to be Moving On” – Copperhead Snake, ** 1st Place **, Woodcraft 2nd Annual Wildlife Carving           Competition, Central Indiana Region

 

 

National Juried Exhibitions

2015 Artists For Conservation Foundation, "The Art of Conservation 2015" Juried Virtual Exhibition
2014 Artists For Conservation Foundation, "The Art of Conservation 2014" Juried Virtual Exhibition
2014 America’s Parks II, Bolivar, MO; Wildlife Experience Museum, Parker, CO; Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, AZ
2013 Rocky Mountain Animal Artists/ The Wildlife Experience Museum, "Wildlife Experience in Art", Parker, Colorado
2013 Sculpture in the Park, Loveland, Colorado
2013 Artists For Conservation Foundation, "The Art of Conservation 2013" Juried Virtual Exhibition
2012 American Women Artists "Visions of the Southwest" Exhibition, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Tucson, Arizona
2012 American Women Artists "Annual Juried Member Show", K. Newby Gallery and Sculpture Garden, Tubac, Arizona
2012 Artists For Conservation Foundation, "The Art of Conservation 2012" Juried Live Exhibition,
         Vancouver, British Columbia
2011 Artists For Conservation Foundation, “The Art of Conservation 2011” Juried Virtual Exhibition
2011 National Sculpture Society, 78th Annual Exhibition, Brookgreen Gardens, South Carolina
2011 Sculpture in the Park, 28th Annual Show and Sale, Loveland, Colorado…juried in, cannot attend.

2011  24th International Exhibition on Animals in Art, School of Vet. Med., L.S.U., Baton Rouge, Louisiana

2010  National Sculpture Society, “Recent Works” Show, Members Virtual Exhibition

2010  Indiana Wildlife Artists, Annual Show, Muncie, Indiana

2010 Artists For Conservation Foundation, “The Art of Conservation 2010” Juried Virtual Exhibition

2010 Society of Animal Artists 50th Annual Juried Members Exhibition, San Diego, California

2010 Art of the Animal Kingdom XV, Bennington, Vermont

2009  Society of Animal Artists “Small Works, Big Impressions”, Parker, Colorado

2009/ 2010  Soc. of Animal Artists touring exhibition, “Art and the Animal”, Parker, CO / Tucson, AZ / Cincinnati, OH                                           

2009  American Women Artists National Juried Competition, Easton, Maryland       

2009  Society of Animal Artists 49th Annual Juried Members Exhibition, Salina, Kansas

2009  Art of the Animal Kingdom XIV, Bennington, Vermont

2008  American Women Artists National Juried Competition, Pasadena, California

2008  Art of the Animal Kingdom XIII, Bennington, Vermont

2008  17th annual Loveland Sculpture Invitational Show, Loveland, Colorado

2008  21st International Exhibition on Animals in Art, School of Vet. Med., L.S.U., Baton Rouge, Louisiana

2007  American Women Artists National Juried Competition, Scottsdale, Arizona

2007  16th annual Loveland Sculpture Invitational Show, Loveland Colorado

2007  National Greeley Art Exhibition, Greeley, Colorado

2007  Northern Colorado Artists Association 16th National Art Exhibition, Ft. Collins, Colorado