A Legacy Gift

Written By Wayne Chunat

Legacy

In the context of art, legacy refers to the lasting impact and influence an artist's work has on future generations, including how their values, aesthetics, and cultural contributions are remembered and celebrated. This can encompass both the physical artwork themselves and the ideas or movements they inspire.

A Legacy Gift: Transforming treasured moments into timeless artwork.

I am pleased to announce that I have attained what I consider a lifelong accomplishment. A commissioned work from the USS Cleveland Legacy Foundation. The project began in November 2025 concluded April 2026 and gifted to the US Navy USS Cleveland LCS31 Captain and Crew on May 16,2026 The work was to include three elements, Cleveland Ohio skyline, Lake Erie, and white tail deer. Completed the piece measured 30x40 inches and included all elements from the high vantage point at Cleveland Metroparks Edgewater Park. The work titled “Ohio Buck” will remain with the ship and crew until decommissioning and henceforth remain in perpetuity in the US Navy archives.

 

Wayne Chunat

Wayne J. Chunat, Artist/Naturalist

Wayne J. Chunat, a retired naturalist and park superintendent, is one of the most versatile artists to ever appear in the wildlife art genre. He is equally at home with watercolors, gouache, acrylics, oils and pencil as well as etchings and sculpture. Since he is virtually self-taught, his techniques are all his own.

His style can vary from fin-and-feather realistic to loose and airy impressions, depending on how he feels he can best portray the animal and its environment. He uses first-hand observations, photography and museum-specimen study to capture the living essence of wildlife. Wayne’s subjects range from birds, reptiles, mammals, wildflowers and ferns to natural landscapes and historic structures.

In 2009, Wayne was accepted as a signature member of Artists for Conservation, the world’s leading collective of nature artists and an unparalleled pool of artistic talent focused on nature. AFC’s mission is to support wildlife and habitat conservation, biodiversity, sustainability and environmental education through art that celebrates the world’s natural heritage. Membership into the organization is limited to 500 Signature Members worldwide and now includes members from 27 countries.

Wayne was invited in 2015 to become a member of the Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers Society of Washington, DC, the oldest Miniature Art Society in the U.S. It is the second oldest in the world next to the Royal Society of Miniature Painters, Sculptors and Gravers in London, England--the world's first Miniature Art Society.

1510 Ariana Street Lot 384 Artistsforconservation.org/wayne-chunat

Lakeland, Florida 33803 261-644-5337

https://www.waynechunat.com/
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The Artistic Journey of a Professional Wildlife Landscape Artist