Blog Posts

The summer and fall months have not been kind to to those who live in California the last five years. It has been unusually dry (very little rainfall), hot, windy and, over the last two years, we have had dry lightening thrown into the mix. Having had to evacuate three out of the last four…

The annual federal duck stamp art contest was held this past weekend, September 24-25. However, due to a recent surge caused by COVID19 variants – for the second year in a row it was not possible for the much-anticipated event to be the enjoyable public affair we have become so accustomed to – and, like…

In the conclusion to our series on Charles and Libby Schwartz, I will endeavor to duly wrap up our story and summarize their remarkable careers. Ordinarily, when dealing with someone (in this case a couple) responsible for such a prodigious output like the Schwartzes, this would be no simple task. Thankfully, Charles and Libby had…

Throughout their prodigious 40+ year careers (and especially during the 1960s and 1970s) Charles and Libby Schwartz were kept very busy with a wide variety of projects. While much of their time was spent producing wildlife and conservation movies, they were also responsible for creating artwork and text for The Missouri Conservationist as well as…

In today’s post we shall focus our attention on Charles and Libby Schwartz’s lives and work in Missouri, during the 1960s and 1970s. I will provide a glimpse into their home settings and a rather unique lifestyle which, as was the case with Aldo Leopold and his iconic shack, influenced Charles’ artistic expression and was…

In today’s post we shall focus on the decade of the 1950s, wherein Charles and Libby Schwartz would come into their own as a highly productive, influential and respected team within the closely interrelated fields of wildlife conservation and ecology. This period would be highlighted by their special ability as a couple to connect in…

First, we would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year and health, happiness and success in 2021. For most of us, this past year was unlike any other in our lifetime; with the emergence of COVID-19, the unprecedented wildfire season in the west and a rancorous political scene – it was challenging, to say…

When we last left off, Irwin Bode had recently been appointed Director of the newly-created Missouri Conservation Commission. Bode was charged by Syd Stephens with hiring the best people he could find in order to make Syd’s dream – to manage the state’s natural and wildlife resources based on the teachings of Aldo Leopold and…

In today’s post we shall start to look at the life of Charles W. Schwartz, one of this country’s most influential wildlife artists. Charles was a very amiable man who, in partnership with his energetic and talented wife, Elizabeth, was a benevolent force in the conservation and environmental movements of the 20th century. A force…