It comes as a surprise to many that behind these paintings is the vibrant and absolutely delightful 28-year-old Amy Keller-Rempp. Keller-Rempp has been an artist for 18 years, drawing from her love of the outdoors to create realistic paintings of the animals she has admired her entire life.

“I have to give all credit to God for being blessed with this talent since I was a small child,” said Keller-Rempp.

Keller-Rempp grew up in eastern Ontario, Canada, in a very rural community; her family’s home sat on 300 acres of land. Hunting and fishing as a family was part survival, part family-bonding. Creating art around her experiences eventually became a way of healing for Keller-Rempp as a young child.

“I was about seven years old when my dad was diagnosed with MS. The next 14 years were a difficult journey for the family,” Keller-Rempp said. “To get through those years of life, I relied on art and creativity to relieve that stress.”

Keller-Rempp’s father was an avid outdoorsman, the true inspiration for her love of nature, and continued to hunt even from his wheelchair, up through his passing in 2008.

“It came to the point where my father could only leave for deer season. My entire family would get together to make sure he could get out to hunt white-tailed deer in November,” said Keller-Rempp.

It was this very experience that drew Keller-Rempp to Safari Club International.

“I saw that Safari Club International gave the opportunity to the disabled to get out into the wilderness, and I connected with them quickly.”

Among Safari Club International’s (SCI) many humanitarian efforts is the Disabled Hunter program, designed to help disabled hunters experience the hunting tradition. According to SCI, since 2005, SCI Chapters have provided 1,009 disabled hunters with hunting opportunities. There are more than 555,000 hunters and shooters with disabilities in the United States alone.

“SCI stood out above all the rest to me. The fact that they are diverse and, in addition to helping disabled hunters, give money to schools in South Africa. It’s all over the world,” said Keller-Rempp.

Keller-Rempp first got involved with the SCI chapter in Northern Alberta in 2009, submitting art to the yearly chapter dinner and banquet. In 2010 Keller-Rempp created an original, acrylic painting of two bighorn sheep. The piece was the highlight of the evening and was live auctioned for an astonishing $12,000, one hundred percent of which was donated to SCI.

“It was an incredible experience; the highlight of my career,” said Keller-Rempp. “I feel very passionate about giving back and this is an appropriate charity and event for me and my lifestyle.”

Following the tremendous success of the Alberta event, discussions arose about showcasing Keller-Rempp’s work in Reno.

“We talked about what was appropriate and decided upon a moose. The images started coming to me even before we finished discussing. I can visualize these paintings before they’re completed every time,” said Keller-Rempp.

Keller-Rempp’s latest piece, titled “King’s Battle,” is her largest painting to date, standing at 48” x 72”. Its showing at the Safari Club International Convention in Reno, Nevada will be the first time Keller-Rempp’s work will appear before an American audience.

“There are so many artists waiting to get in, and I’m so fortunate and blessed. I feel it’s a force bigger than mine and the people involved,” said Keller-Rempp.

Keller-Rempp worked on “King’s Battle” for five weeks. It has safely arrived in Reno and is ready to be part of a four-day auction during Safari Club International.

“I’m honored to be a part of an event that helps shed some light on hunting. Hunting and conservation is huge. For people to have the opportunity to learn about different animals; the science, biology, animal control, repopulation, disease control. To have all of this information on hand is incredible,” said Keller-Rempp.

You can see Keller-Rempp’s piece, “King’s Battle,” during Safari Club International Annual Hunters’ Convention, January 26-29, 2011, at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.

As for what’s next for Keller-Rempp, she says a busy year is ahead.

“I’m living in Alberta now and have fallen in love with western Canada. I have several shows lined up, including one on February 18 in Fort McMurray, and there are talks of a show on Vancouver Island as well,” said Keller-Rempp. “I will forever be thankful to SCI. They gave me an incredible opportunity, putting my work before so many people, and I will forever be indebted.”

The Wild Sheep Foundation (WSF) Convention and Sporting Expo, “The Sheep Show™” will offer on auction more state, tribal, and provincial permits than anywhere on earth during the February 9-12, 2011 event in Reno, Nevada. In 2010, the sale of special permits alone generated more than $2.4 million for wildlife and habitat earning the WSF convention the reputation as being THE wildlife conservation convention. For the 2011 convention, the WSF expects to generate even more.

The WSF will once again offer sheep and other permits from Alberta to Nevada and Texas to California and nearly every western state, province and tribal nation in between. With the support of our generous auction bidders, attendees, exhibitors, sponsors and donors, the WSF expects to raise more than $5 million in revenue to help wild sheep, and other wildlife across North America and around the globe. Without these all important conservation dollars, many wildlife conservation programs would not exist, limiting hunter opportunity and the quality of wildlife and their habitat. For a complete listing of the special sheep and other permits offered visit www.wildsheepfoundation.org.

Celebrating its 2011 event, the WSF has again partnered with MidwayUSA as the Official Sponsor of the convention. “MidwayUSA’s generous sponsor support demonstrates their recognition of WSF as the premier mountain hunting organization in the world!” Gray Thornton, WSF President & CEO noted on this ongoing partnership.

In addition to the special permits dedicated to state, tribal, and provincial conservation,  the 2011 WSF convention will offer on auction nearly $2 million in hunts, trips, wildlife art,  fine sporting arms, hunting gear, and accessories for the wild sheep and hunting enthusiast. Funds generated at The Sheep Show will help wild sheep conservation efforts throughout North America and the world.

The three-day convention and expo is open to the public, Thursday through Saturday, February 9-12 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center. Show hours are 10 am – 6 pm Thursday, 10 am – 6 pm Friday and 9 am – 6 pm Saturday. Daily admission is only $15 with $10 off coupons available at Reno-Sparks Cabela’s, Scheels and Sportsman’s Warehouse stores. As an added incentive to attend the show “floor credit” drawings will be offered Thursday, Friday and Saturday for credits valued at $1,000 to $5,000 to be used with Expo exhibitors. Five (5) $1,000 credits will be drawn Thursday, two (2) $2,500 credits drawn Friday and one (1) $5,000 credit Saturday. Attendees must be present to win. Daily passes are available at Expo Registration.

The banquet and live auction events kick off Wednesday evening February 9^th at the Silver Legacy’s Reno Ballroom downtown. WSF will hold their legendary auctions Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings. In addition, a Ladies Brunch, International Night party, Ram Awards breakfast and Life Member Breakfast will be held at the Silver Legacy. Other events include a Sporting Clays Shoot with USA Shooting Team members Wednesday morning at Sage Hill Clays, a Sportsman’s Prayer Breakfast Thursday morning and a wine tasting in the expo hall Friday. Visit the Foundation’s website for a full schedule and details on the events.

The Wild Sheep Foundation, formerly the Foundation for North American Wild Sheep, was founded in 1977 by sheep and mountain hunting enthusiasts and conservationists. With a membership of more than 10,000 worldwide and a chapter network in North America, WSF is the premier advocate for wild sheep, wild goats, other wildlife, and their habitat. Since forming in 1977, the Wild Sheep Foundation has raised and expended more than $80 million on conservation and education programs in North America, Europe and Asia. During 2010 alone the Wild Sheep Foundation raised and put on the ground more than $2.85 million to wildlife conservation and other mission programs.

For a full schedule of events, to register for the annual convention, join as a member or for more information on the Foundation and their many conservation and education programs, please visit www.wildsheepfoundation.org or contact them at 720 Allen Avenue, Cody, Wyoming  82414 USA. Telephone 800-OK-FNAWS. Email info@wildsheepfoundation.org.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is bringing its annual convention, affectionately called “Elk Camp,” back to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center March 3-6, 2011.

This year marks the 27^th annual RMEF Elk Camp & Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Expo, an event held 12 times in Reno, with the remainder scattered among 7 different cities.

“We count on our annual convention to rally and energize our members and supporters, and to charge our cumulative battery for another year of wildlife habitat conservation projects across elk country,” said David Allen, RMEF president and CEO.

In 2010, RMEF reached the 5.9 million acre mark for habitat conserved and enhanced nationwide, and helped launched elk restoration initiatives in Missouri and Virginia.
As always, Elk Camp 2011 will feature the RMEF/Leupold World Elk Calling Championships. Preliminary rounds begin March 4 at 9:00 a.m. Championship rounds begin March 5 at 9:00 a.m.

Elk Camp also includes Cabela’s-sponsored seminars led by authorities on bowhunting and other hunting skills, horse packing, marksmanship, wild game cooking, game calling strategies and more. Also included are displays of record elk, attractions and activities for the whole family, plus a 400-booth expo hall filled with outfitted hunting and fishing opportunities, art, gear, firearms and everything elk. For agendas and details, visit www.rmef.org.

Daily admission is $12 per person or $25 per family, and free for kids 5 and under. Show hours: Thurs., March 3, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Fri., March 4, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Sat., March 5, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; and Sun., March 6, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Registered attendees can also enjoy banquets, auctions, entertainment, awards and more.

About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation: Snowy peaks, dark timber basins and grassy meadows. RMEF is leading an elk country initiative that has conserved or enhanced habitat on over 5.8 million acres—a land area equivalent to a swath three miles wide and stretching along the entire Continental Divide from Canada to Mexico. RMEF also works to open, secure and improve public access for hunting, fishing and other recreation. Get involved at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.

- Steve Wagner