Tucker Smith, b. 1940, St. Paul, Minnesota, (United States) Tucker Smith spent his early years outside of St. Paul, Minnesota. When he was 12 years old his family relocated to Pinedale, Wyoming at the foot of the Wind River Range. As a child, his artistic skill was already evident, although his family viewed art simply as an avocation. After graduation from college Tucker Smith spent the following eight years as a computer programmer and systems analyst for the State of Montana, painting on a part time basis. He eventually realized that art was his true passion in life and he became a full time professional artist at the age of 31. Today, Tucker Smith is nationally renowned for his balanced, subtle paintings inspired by the wildlife and mountain atmosphere that has been such an integral part of his life. His home and studio on the Hoback Rim in Western Wyoming offer direct access to his favorite subjects; vast landscapes, sprawling cattle ranches, and the back country with its abundant wildlife and natural, unspoiled beauty. Tucker notes, “I just recently returned with some friends from a week long horse pack trip into the Wind River Mountains where we painted, photographed and explored. I believe it is necessary to experience nature first hand in order to be able to convey it to someone else through a painting”. He adds, “When doing an animal painting, my first consideration is the setting. It is the particular environment that made the animal. The relationship between the two is of great interest to me”.