MONTROSE, IOWA -- The Tri-states is known for its hunting and wildlife, but it's also home to a nationally known artist who captures those scenes on canvas.

John Eberhardt lives in the small town of Montrose, Iowa.  Click here to see his website. 

When outdoorsman John Eberhardt isn't hunting or fishing, he's painting it. This self-taught artist found his nook painting scenes portraying the thrill of the hunt and beauty of nature.  But back in 1982, things changed in a big way for this artist. That's when one of the Cabela's brothers and their marketing expert saw this painting of a black lab at a show. It was just what they were looking for.

Eberhardt said, "The first one we did for them was the black lab. It was a mediocre painting I did at the time. "They bought it on the spot and told me they wanted to use it for a cover. We worked well together because they wanted art that spoke to outdoors people. It became a yearly thing, we were doing a fall cover for them every year after that."

They kept using me after that.

Cabela's came calling more than 30 times for art, every time paying full price for the painting. In exchange Eberhardt allowed them to print it in their catalogs, which helped his credibility as an artist.

Eberhardt said, "Cabela's has gotten bigger and bigger and I like to think I was a part of that."

Cabela's wasn't the extent of Eberhardt's reach. He's also has his work featured by organizations like Ducks Unlimited.

While he still works on commissioned paintings like this, he's expanded from painting on only canvas to turkey feathers like this which are challenging and intriguing to folks who buy them at shows.

He goes to more than 20 shows a year, still making a living with his brush and talent.

Eberhardt said, "I realized a long time ago I wasn't going to get rich at this. It's a nice life when the economy is good"

Though much has changed over the years, one thing hasn't.-- his love of living here in the Tri-States.

Eberhardt said, "It's great because this is where wildlife is."

Father's Day (June 19) is fast approaching and many sons and daughters are looking for the right gift to show dad they care. KHQA received a tip from a viewer that original art by a local wildlife artist might be just the ticket.

Eberhardt has won numerous awards for his body of work, including being named Iowa Ducks Unlimited "Artist of the Year" four separate times  ... see the expansive list of awards here.

One of the unique things that Eberhardt is known for are his painted turkey feathers.  The original oil paintings are carefully featured atop beautiful striated feathers and framed.

His work has been used on over 27 of Cabela’s Inc. magazine covers since 1983.

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