The Artist - Rudl Mergelman: Rudl was born and raised in the Gunnison Valley of western Colorado. He is the third generation of a pioneer family moving west. He graduated with a fine art degree from Western State College in Gunnison and taught art in the public schools for several years. He has since worked in commercial art and design while producing personal work from his studio.

His sculpture and painting subjects reflect his culture and love of the west. Always an avid outdoorsman, Rudl carefully studies and observes the nature and character of his wildlife subjects. That keen observation is, for him, naturally translated to his fine art in both technical accuracy and the image of the work.

Rudl says, "When I do a piece, I try to present the character of the subject as well as the physical likeness. To me a piece is a success only of the situation is as accurate as the animal."