Len Rusin is the artist who tourists see sitting on the edge of the falls in Niagara Falls, NY on the coldest winter days, photographing and sketching waterfowl.  He is the lone figure walking through the woods at dawn photograph wildlife.  He is the silhouette in the canoe quietly floating through the wetlands of the Northeast or a swamp with paint and a canvas on board.

Len Rusin’s inspiration to paint wildlife and wilderness developed while backing through New York , Florida, Alaska, and several northeast states, as well as Canada.  Using his photographs, field notes, sketches and experiences obtained during these excursions he captures the feeling of being a part of nature.

Whether painting studies of major works, his artwork captures the raw spirit of nature.  Rusin’s strong sense of design and painterly style creates an emotional appeal which forces the viewer to pause and experience the painted image.  His work reflects his concern for the environment and vanishing wildlife.

Rusin’s paintings not only make an artistic statement, but also offer the viewer an inside visual clue of the natural world.  His paintings exhibit well planned compositions that make the entire environment important.  However, he does not let the details overwhelm his work, but uses light to concentrate the viewer’s eye.  This artist tries to develop ideas in his work to give the viewer a sense of being there.  His paintings use sound principles of art combined with the elements of design to create his unique works of art.

2010 – Winner, Colorado Com. Habitat Stamp Contest

2008 – Artist in Residence, Fall-Grand Canyon Nat. Park

2008 – Selected for Membership in International Guild of Realism

2007 – Painting –Early Morning Risers-Top 100 Paint the Parks

2007 – Artist in Residence, Fall-Acadia National Park, Maine

2006 – Featured artist, Clayton wildlife Art and Decoy Show

2005 – 1st place painting, Matagorda nature center Fest.,Texas

2004 – Gamco Award, Kentucky National Wildlife Art Exhibit

2004 – Painting selected for permanent collection, Bennington, VT

2004 – Painting in Art of the Animal Kingdom IX, Bennington

2003 – Painting selected for Christmas card, Ontario, Canada

2003 – 1^st place painting – Colden Valley Art Association

2002 – 1^st place painting – Colden Valley Art Association

2002 – Employee of the year – Niagara Falls School District

2001 – Featured Artist – Beaver Lake Nature Center, Wildlife Art Show, Syracuse, NY

2000 – Paintings featured on cover and inside of calendar, Ontario, Canada

1999 – Painting featured – Seaway journal

1999 – Elected to the North Tonawanda Hall of Fame

1999 – Painting included in book “Best of Wildlife” Edited by Alan Singer

1996 – Featured Artist and on cover - conservationist

1996 – Winner – New York State Duck Stamp

1995 – One man show – Federal Remington Museum

1995 – Print feature – National Wild Turkey Federation, National Level

1993 – Peoples Choice Award – Northeastern Wildlife Expo, Niagara Falls, NY

1993 – 2^nd place Kentucky Trout Stamp

1993 – Winner - Ducks Unlimited – Fly away artist of the year

1993 – People Choice Award – Northeastern Wildlife Expo, Niagara Falls, NY

1992 – One Man Show – Roselawn Gallery, Pittsford, NY

1991 – One Man Show – Progressive Art Gallery, Niagara Falls, NY

1991 – 1990 -1988 Exhibit – Genesee County Village Gallery of Sporting Art, NY

1990 – Work in Birds of Art, Leigh Yawkey Museum, Wasau, WI

1989 – 2^nd Place – Best of Show, Wild Art Festival, York PA

1988 – 3^rd Place – Best of Show, Wildlife Art Festival, York, PA

1987 – Photo on cover and artwork featured, National American Falconers Journal

1985 – Best of Show, 1^st place drawing, 3^rd place painting, Wildlife Art Festival, York, PA

1984 – Photo features on cover – Florida Wildlife

1981 – Painting featured on cover – New York Sportsmen

1980 – Painting purchased for permanent collection Arkansas Arts and Science Museum