Wayne J. Chunat, Artist // Naturalist
Wayne J. Chunat, a retired naturalist and park superintendent, is one of the most versatile artists to ever appear in the wildlife art genre. He is equally at home with watercolors, gouache, acrylics, oils and pencil as well as etchings and sculpture. Since he is virtually self-taught, his techniques are all his own.
His style can vary from fin-and-feather realistic to loose and airy impressions, depending on how he feels he can best portray the animal and its environment. He uses first-hand observations, photography and museum-specimen study to capture the living essence of wildlife. Wayne’s subjects range from birds, reptiles, mammals, wildflowers and ferns to natural landscapes and historic structures.
Awards
Circle Foundation for the Arts
2022 Certificate of Excellence
Wildflower Studios “Capture Florida”
2022 Best of Show
2024 First Place
Kentucky National Wildlife Art Exhibit
2018 Nell Dorsey Award
Melvin Gallery Florida Southern College
2018 Third Place
Acrylic Painters USA
2018 Placed Top 10 Nationally
Florida State Fair
2019 Second Place, Plein Air Comp.
2020 Third Place, Plein Air Comp.
2022 First Place, Plein Air Comp
Florida Traditions, Lake Alfred
2016 Second Place
2019 Honorable Mention
2020 Best of Show
2021 Award of Merit
2022 Honorable Mention
2024 Second Place
Florida Strawberry Festival
2024 Second Place Prof. Acrylics
2023 First Place Miniatures
2022 First Place Prof. Acrylics
2020 First Place Miniatures
2019 First Place Prof. Acrylics
2018 First Place Prof. Div.
2017 Third & Fourth Place, Prof. Div.
2016 Business Leaders Choice
Frostproof Plein Air
2021 /2022First Place
Contemporary Art Gallery Online
2022 Best of Show2021 Social conscious Award
2020 All Animals Competition Winner
2017 Third, Fourth Place, Animals and Landscape
2016 Fourth Place Animal Art
2014 Third place Landscape
Ridge Art Society, Winter Haven, FL
2018 Award of Excellence
2017 Honorable Mention
2016 Honorable Mention
2015 Second, Third Place
2014 Honorable Mention
2013 Award of Excellence Printmaking
St Augustine, FL Miniature Show
2016 Honorable Mention in two shows
2014 Honorable Mention
Lakeland, FL Art Guild
2023 Third Place
2021 Artistic Excellence
2020 Third Place
2019 Best of Show
2018 Fourth Place, Third Place
2017 Merit Award (2)
2015 Merit Awards and Peoples’ Choice
2015 Third place Professional
Miniature Society of Florida
2015 Honorable Mention
Richeson75 International Art Competitions
2021 Small Works
2019,2018,2016, 2014 Meritorious Award, Animals
Paint the Parks National Competition
2013 Honorable Mention Miniature
Cider Painters of America
2021,2013 Excellence in Acrylics
2022 J&L Law Office Award
Oceanside Arts Council
2013 Second Place
Wyoming Fish and Game Commission
2013 Honorable Mention
Ridge Art Association Miniature Show
2013 Award of Excellence Printmaking
Arts in the Park Lakeland FL
2013 People’s Choice Award
Casper, WY Miniature Show
2012 First Place
Minerva, OH Art Spot Gallery
2011 Kishman Plein Aire Award
Ohio Decoy Contest, Westlake, OH
2010 2011 Second Place
Miniature Society of Florida
2010 2nd Place, Print Making
Huntington, WV Renaissance Art Gallery
2009 Sabrina Reyntjens Merit Award
Algonquin Mill Festival, Carrollton, OH
2012 Second Place Professional
2010 Best of Professional Division
2009 Best in Acrylics
2008 Best in Watercolor, 2nd place
2007 Best in Show, First Place
Geauga County OH Metro Parks
2008 People’s Choice Award
Wildscape Magazine
2008 Best Interpretation of Movement
Mendocino, CA Art Center
2008 Best in Oils/Acrylic
Wind River Valley WY Artist’s League
2007 First Place, Acrylic Birds Miniature
Wheeling, WV Stifel Art Center
2007 Honorable Mention
Miniature Society of Florida
2007 Third Place, Acrylic, Animal
2006 Second Place, Acrylic, Animal
Susan K Black Foundation Art Workshop
2006 First place, Acrylics
2005 Purchase Award
Zoar, OH Harvest Festival
2005 Watercolor Award
Artists for Conservation 2017 Conservation Award
American Wild Turkey Foundation 2005 Stamp
Wyoming Conservation Stamp Top 40 Traveling Tour 2002
National Aviary, Pittsburgh, PA
Featured Artist 1989
Cleveland Sight Center
Christmas card, 1992-4
Kentucky Trout Stamp
Honorable mention 1994, 1995, 1999
Nevada Trout Stamp
Second place 1995
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Fund raising auction 1999
2022,2021,2019,2018,2012 Artists for Conservation Exhibition, Vancouver, BC Canada
2019,2015,2010 Artists for Conservation Virtual Exhibition
National Aviary, Pittsburgh, PA
Virginia Living Museum Wildlife Art Festival
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Ohio Valley Art League
Henderson
KY Cuyahoga Valley National Recreational Area
Chagrin Valley Art Center Competition
Gallery One's Masterworks in Miniature
Mendocino, CA Art Center
Lake Erie Nature and Science Center
Cuyahoga, Geauga and Lake Counties Metro Parks
Beck Center, Lakewood, OH
Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, OH
Patuxent, MD Wildlife Art Show
Cincinnati Zoo CREW Show
Hawk Mountain, PA Wildlife Art Show
Cleveland Botanical Gardens