Work comes alive at Orland Art Center show

The Orland Art Center has gone wild this month with the arrival of waterfowl and fish lining its walls.

They are not real, of course, but the life-like images provide stunning detail of wildlife in the field.

"Wildlife Wonders II" runs through Jan. 26 at the gallery, 732 Fourth St.

Nationally known wildlife artists Sherrie Russell Meline and Steele Roberts-Ross are showing this month in collaboration with the Chico Snow Goose Festival 2013.

Meline is from Mt. Shasta and operates Wingbeat Gallery with her husband. She is a fine arts graduate of the University of Wisconsin and began her professional career in 1974 after moving to San Jose, her show biography said.

Meline uses acrylics to provide delicate layers of washes for exceptional accuracy in every detail of her work, gallery officials said.

She has been a duck decoy collector since college and is involved in a variety of wildlife organizations such as Ducks Unlimited, the Pacific Flying Decoy Association, American Turkey Federation and more.

Quail, ducks, kestrels, snow geese and a swan are part of the 16 pieces she is exhibiting.

Roberts-Ross became fascinated with birds as a boy when he went birding with his grandfather on trips to a ranch in California.

That interest led to study of wildlife science at Oregon State University and plenty of visits to the field where he observed and collected information and photographs.

The Yreka artist describes his art as the "Wonders of the world which transport you somewhere else you would rather be and connect you intimately with wildlife," his biography said.

These acrylic paintings reflect his knowledge of species, their habitats and nuances, he said.

Ducks, falcons, trout and more are in Roberts-Steele's works that total about 19 pieces in the show.

"I love it," Orland Art Commissioner Mary Rose Kennedy said on Thursday. "I love to watch birds take flight and nest... This is very appropriate for the January show."

Gallery hours are from 1 p.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

Many of the paintings and prints are for sale along with fine art cards and some other items.

For more information, visit the gallery's website at www.orlandartcenter.com.