Photo captures artist's attention
A big surprise greeted Janet Post this past week when she attended the 21st annual Governor's One Shot Turkey Hunt in El Dorado. No, it wasn't the chance to hunt turkeys in the snow, although she did, and didn't really care for it.
The surprise was a painting done by the official Turkey Hunt "artist of the year" Jerry Thomas. The original work included a stunning likeness to a photograph of a strutting gobbler that Post had shared with Thomas two years ago.
"When I saw Janet's photograph, something about that gobbler was just different," said Thomas. "I loved the attitude of the bird. He had a great head pose, a glimmer in his eye and shadowing that you don't see very often. I've seen a lot of turkeys in 19 years. Usually big toms have their heads tucked far back when they strut. This guy had his head up and alert, very dominant and aware.
"I want people to look at my paintings, especially the ones of Kansas and say, 'I've been there,' or 'I've seen that,' or 'I'd really like to spend time there,'" continued Thomas. "This bird fit what I look for when I need a subject."
Thomas is a native Kansan who makes his home in Manhattan, and has published his work of wildlife, trails, and the Old West since 1989.
He has a long list of accomplishments including designing the Kansas Wildlife Habitat Award and the Wildlife Service Corporate Stewardship Award. He has been a guest artist for National Ducks Unlimited and designed the Kansas State duck stamp in 1992 and 1996.
Twice named the Kansas Wildlife Artist of the year, he also has earned the honor of Waterfowl USA Celebrity Hunt Artist, Pheasant Forever Artist of the Year, and the Nebraska One Box Association Artist of the Year.
Thomas recently was honored by his childhood home of Scott City with the announcement of a gallery addition to be built on the El Quartelejo Museum to display his artwork.
Thomas has done 18 turkey paintings for the Kansas Governor's One Shot Turkey Hunt. In 1999, he brought in the biggest bird at the governor's hunt and added "Top Gun" to his list of life accomplishments. He considers his association with the hunt a life-changing experience.
"Out of all the things I have done, the Kansas Governor's Hunt has helped promote me to the level of success I have today. I have met people who have taken my artwork all over the world," said Thomas. "It was great of Janet to share her talent with me. The people of that organization, including Janet and her husband Pat, make that event one of a kind."
Post loves the Kansas wildflowers and wildlife. When she isn't covering Peabody-Burns High School sports and special events for the Peabody Gazette-Bulletin, she and her husband take to the Kansas outdoors. Both are members of the National Wild Turkey Federation and they love to pursue the wild turkeys in Kansas.
"Pat shoots with his recurve (bow) and I shoot with my camera. It's much safer that way," Post said.
"When I found out that the painting included my gobbler, I was thrilled. I spent three hours taking photos of that bird after I called him in," said Post. "I have photos of him strutting, feeding, gobbling, and even sleeping. He got so tired, at one point he nestled in beside my decoy, laid down his head, and took a nap. It was a great afternoon.
"I had several shots that were close up and full of rich color and detail. I took a couple of them to Jerry at the hunt in 2005. I've gotten to know him over the years, since I first became a guide for the Hunt. He is one of the celebrities that I always look forward to seeing. His paintings are so beautiful. I've always admired him for his talent and he is just a really good guy."
Post's gobbler will now go down in history as the strutting bird in the Jerry Thomas painting titled, "Smoky Hill River Gobblers," the official 2007 print for the Kansas Governor's One Shot Turkey Hunt.
