Spies featured in "Wildlife Art" magazine
Joshua Spies was featured in the May/June 2005 issue of "Wildlife Art." The article was written by Heather Lampe and is titled, "Joshua Spies - Every Painting Tells a Story."

Watch for Spies on the "Outdoor Channel"
In July, the "Outdoor Channel" is featuring Joshua Spies and his work for a segment titled "Wildlife Artists and the Outdoors."

Spies featured in SDSU Campaign
Joshua Spies was featured in the 2004 South Dakota State University "You Can Go Anywhere From Here" campaign. The campaign highlighted the accomplishments of successful graduates of the university. Spies appeared in television commercials, on the university's web site, and in this billboard.

Spies chosen by Alaskan Professional Hunters Incorporated
Spies is one of only four artists within the last 30 years to be highlighted by the Alaskan Professional Hunters Incorporated organization.

Magazine Article
Joshua Spies was featured in the latest issue of the "Outdoorsmen Magazine."

"Wildlife Art Magazine"
Joshua Spies was included in the article, "Sixteen of the best ARTISTS OF NOTE", published in "Wildlife Art Magazine's" November/December 2004 issue.

Grand Slam Wine Bottle Series
Joshua Spies created four originals for the Grand Slam Wine Bottle Series by African Traditions. Originals are sold.

SD Ducks Unlimited 2003 "Print of the Year"
"Morning Light" is the South Dakota Ducks Unlimited "Print of the Year." It appeared on the program covers and tickets for all 2003 state banquets. "Morning Light" is the third painting in a series, following "Morning Mist" and "Morning Reflections." Originals are sold.

Original for Auction
A 10" x 16" Stone Sheep original will be auctioned off at the Minneapolis/Wisconsin Foundation for North American Wild Sheep Banquet on March 22, 2003 in Minneapolis.

2003 SD Duck Stamp Winner
Joshua Spies won the 2003 South Dakota Duck Stamp for his original of pintail ducks.

Artist of the Year
Joshua Spies was recognized as Ladies Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year in SD with prints distributed to 23 states.

"Morning Mist" and Dillards
"Morning Mist" sold nationwide in Dillard's department stores with Hemingway furniture collection.

"A Guy Thing"
Joshua Spies artwork selected to be in MGM movie "A Guy Thing" to be released in 2002.

Buffalo Run Winery
Joshua Spies selected to design feature wine label for Buffalo Run Winery.

"Ringneck Refuge" Featured in Pheasants Forever
Joshua Spies' new "Ringneck Refuge," a Pheasants Forever Conservation Edition exclusive, was recently featured in the Fall Preview Volume of Pheasants Forever.

"Dream Team"
"Dream Team," the third and final painting in a series of three works for Ladies Ducks Unlimited events in the Midwest, was released. The painting set the state record for the highest selling original at a Ducks Unlimited Event in South Dakota.

"Ringneck Refuge"
"Ringneck Refuge" has been selected by Pheasants Forever to be included in their 2000 National Art Package.

A most eligible bachelor?
Recently interviewed by People Magazine, Joshua Spies may appear in the July issue as one of America's 100 most eligible bachelors.

"Mallards"
Placed 2nd in the South Dakota Duck Stamp Competition!

People to Watch in 2001 and Beyond
as printed in Argus Leader, Jan. 1, 2001

Joshua Spies

AGE: 27
HOMETOWN: Watertown
ACHIEVEMENTS: The artist has been a finalist in two federal duck stamp competitions, as well as stamp competitions in South Dakota and South Carolina. He won Best of Show at last year's Artists of the Plains exhibition, hosted by the Center for Western Studies.

REASON TO WATCH: His paintings have some calling him the next Terry Redlin. Spies is now finishing the last painting in the "Sweet Dreams" trilogy for South Dakota Ladies Ducks Unlimited, for which he's the designated artist for the third consecutive year. His painting was published by Pheasants Forever national art package. He is in talks with representatives from the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, National Turkey Federation and Foundation of North American Wild Sheep.

Record for sale
as printed in the Watertown Public Opinion, June 8, 2000
Josh Spies' original painting "Canadian Mist" set a South Dakota Ducks Unlimited record for sale of an original at a DU auction in the state. The piece by a Watertown artist brought more than $10,000 at the auction at the Watertown Sponsor Banquet recently.

Lady Ducks "early bird" starts fall program as printed in the Argus Leader
Watertown's Lady Ducks womens' special events got under way with an "early bird" event Monday at the Expressions Gallery. Local artist Joshua Spies was on hand to sign autographs on his print "Sweet Dreams Too," the second in a popular series - and women at the early bird event had his special autographs on prints numbered so ongoing members can have matching sets of the series. The special womens' events will be Monday, Oct. 16, at the Lakeshore and is designed especially for the ladies. Planning the program are event co-chairmen Margaret Schulz, Dee Nielsen, Lori Wech and a full committee. Along with the normal Ducks Unlimited art and outdoor items, artwork of local women artists and a gourmet dinner. Schulz said the event's $45 fee includes the dinner, Ducks Unlimited membership and national magazine. Tickets may be purchased from committee members, at the Expressions Gallery or at the door. Committee members also include the three co-chairmen, Jan Bienn, Diana Berns, Roylene DeVille, Debbie Jo Gagne, Coralyn Fleeger, Laura Hinman, Carin Leeb and Susan Zastrow. The event at the Lakeshore opens with a social hour at 5:30 p.m. Monday, and dinner begins at 7 p.m.

A Picture of Success
as printed in South Dakota State University College of Arts & Science, Spring 2000

A college degree is no guarantee of a job, especially in arts and entertainment.

For every singer, artist or athlete that leaves college with a secure future, there are a hundred thousand who hold down part-time jobs to pay the bills while pursuing their dream.

Josh Spies, a Watertown artist, is one of those rare exceptions. The 1996 fine arts graduate did some bartending for about six months after he graduated, but for the last four years he has been a fulltime artist.

For that he credits a supportive community, a helpful family and Ducks Unlimited. He has been doing work for the waterfowl organization for six years, beginning with a small pencil drawing he donated for an annual dinner auction in his hometown.

Now he paints an original work for the sponsor banquet each spring in Watertown, and is painting a series of three works for Ladies Ducks Unlimited events in the Midwest. "That's helped tremendously with getting my name out there and letting people see my work," says Spies, who is a Ducks Unlimited Life Sponsor along with his father, Jim.

The first paining in the series, "Sweet Dreams," shows a dark-haired boy sleeping with his faithful companion, a black Labrador.

The signed print was featured by South Dakota Public Television during Winterfest, South Dakota Public Television's fundraising effort, in December. The auction for the print culminated during Spies' live appearance on the station December 12, 1999, and brought $650, according to Terry Spencer of Public TV.

Even more impressive is the $9,100 that Ducks Unlimited raised through the auction of a pheasant painting at the 1999 sponsor banquet in Watertown. That price tag is the state Ducks Unlimited record for the sale of an original work. "It helped build the sloughs somewhere," says Spies, who got a percentage of the bid.

As notable as his work for Ducks Unlimited has been, Spies doesn't consider himself only a wildlife artist.

He also has done portraits and religious artwork.

"I'm really exploring right now with different things. I'm just having fun exploring with different projects... It'll be fun to see the projects I'm doing in five years. I'm trying to balance work between portraits, landscape and wildlife." But the baliance often gets tilted toward wildlife.

"Right now with what I'm doing, I've got to do projects I can pay my bills with. But that's fine too. I'm pleased with what I'm doing."

Wildlife work means working in watercolors and acrylics, but Spies is also skilled with a graphite pencil. "Reflections," a pencil drawing of an elderly woman, won first place in an international competition in St. Pertersburg, Florida, in 1999. A pencil self-portrait that Spies drew while in college gained entry into two juried international shows. "I'm doing paintings now, but I like working on the drawings as much or more than paintings...

"As for what the future holds, I have no idea. It's like I'm walking in a room with the lights turned off. Whatever I bump into, happens."

Spies doesn't see himself ever retiring from art. He says he has always had an interest in art and drawing. As a pre-schooler, Spies would copy pictures hanging on the walls of his Watertown home. As Spies grew, so did his interest in art. At age twelve, he was painting. After high school, he headed to SDSU with plans to major in graphic design and fine arts.

But computer art did not appeal to him and he dropped graphic design from his major. "I enjoy the hands-on part of art," Spies says.

At SDSU, Spies found "a great group of instructors. I really value my experience down there." He singled out Professor Tim Steele, who "showed me a technique that really helped out with my drawing. I give him credit with getting my style going." Also, during one of Steele's summer classes, Spies painted his first entry in the Federal Duck Stamp contest. That 1995 work placed twelth. Two years later he placed ninth in the contest.

"I'd like to win the Federal Duck Stamp (contest). Some day maybe I will. Every year the judges change. It is hard sometimes knowing what they are looking for. You have to have some skill going in, but it takes some luck." To date, Spies' career has been blessed with both.

20th Annual Art Show and Sale Sets New Records
as printed in The Center for Western Studies Newsletter, Spring 2000
by Dave Graves

The 20th Annual Artists of the Plains Art Show and Sale set new records for attendance and art sold for the weekend. On Friday night, February 18th, the crowd was shoulder to shoulder and there was little room to move as we launched the Center's 20th annual show and sale. Over the course of the weekend over 1500 people stopped to visit with the artists. This is almost twice as many as any other show and sale. For the fifth year, we held the show and sale at the Radisson Encore Inn, and this has proven to be a great public venue for the Center. We want to thank the Radisson for again sponsoring our Premier Reception on Friday evening.

We once again hosted our People's Choice Best of Show awards for a painting and a three-dimensional piece. Newly appointed Art Committee Chair Frank Gibbs emceed the program for the Premier Showing. This year our Best of Show ribbons and $50 cash prizes went to woodcarver Don Clemetson from Brandon, SD. This is Don's third award at our show. His carving entitled The Chief was a runaway favorite in the three-dimensional category. A young man from Watertown, SD, who is fast becoming a well-known artist in this region, won the painting Best of Show. Joshua Spies, who is 26 years old, won the Best of Show with "Sweet Dreams Too," his second painting in this series portraying a young girl and her golden retriever. This was Josh's first win at our show and sale. Congratulations to both of these fine artists.

Mr. Jim Whartman, from Hemingford, NE, had his painting "Wind Power" selected for this year's invitation cover. The powerful painting of a golden eagle on a windmill was selected by the Center's art committee in December. This was Jim's second year with our show after a long hiatus.

Vice President for Advancement Keith Christensen welcomed our audience to the show and sale on behalf of Augustana College. Thanks, Keith, for your welcome and kind words about the show and sale. Mr. Don Jacobs, General Manager of Results Radio, was present to help award the ribbons to the respective winners. Mr. Jacobs and his company were the major sponsors of the show and sale for the fourth year. A special thanks to Results Radio for their promotion of our show and sale.

We were once again reminded by many of the artists that this is the only show and sale of its kind in our region. For twenty years the mission has been to promote regional artists and their work. To this end, we feel that this year's group indeed represented our regions' "best." We determined that Raymond Wattenhofer, from Park Rapids, MN, has attended all but two of the Center's twenty events.

The following artists were part of the 2000 show and sale: Mark Anderson, Sioux Falls, SD; JoAnne Bird, Brookings, SD; Bryan Bortnem and Cathy Hoss, Rutland, SD; Lynn Bueling, Wahpeton, ND; Don Clemetson, Brandon, SD; Russ Duerksen, Sioux Falls, SD; Beverly Daniel English, Sioux Falls, SD; Mick Harrison, Belle Fourche, SD; Donna Hendrickson, Flandreau, SD; Nancyjane Huehl, Vivian, SD; Lee Leuning, Pierre, and Sherri Treeby, Aberdeen, SD; Barbara McGee, Peterson, IA; Kathy Sigle, Spearfish, SD; Joshua Spies, Watertown, SD; Rita Tate, Aurora, SD; Marion Toillion, Spearfish, SD; Raymond Wattenhofer, Park Rapids, MN; and Jim Whartman, Hemingford, NE.

The Center's staff would like to thank its Board of Directors and the National Advisory Council members for their assistance as hosts, hostesses and greeters, the artists for sharing their great works of art, the Radisson Encore Inn for its hospitality, the many Sioux Falls businesses who supported the show and sale through their advertising, all of you from the public who attended this special event, and, finally, Results Radio and Don Jacobs for their support of the art show and sale.

Apt Pupil
as printed in U.S.Art, June 1999

For young artists, an international sojourn can fuel creative passions long after the trip is over. Joshua Spies counts a two-week tour of Italy while he was an art-history student in college among his most memorable days. He drank in the architecture of Rome and the art of the Italian Renaissance. "I could have spent another month," Spies sighs.

Any resulting European influences on Spies's own artwork are difficult to pinpoint, but the 26-year-old Watertown, S.Dak., native seems more interested than ever in creating his own masterpieces. "I try to outdo myself with every piece I do," he says.

Such ambition isn't unfounded. Spies's paintings of birds have won him a loyal following of collectors, as well as a handful of prizes from such organizations as the National Turkey Federation and South Dakota Ducks Unlimited. His style ranges from raw and colorful to Zen-like to near photographic.

Growing up, Spies basked in the attention of Federal Duck Stamp winner John Wilson, who let the young boy watch him as he worked. These days, however, Spies is more likely to drive a mile down the road and pay his respects to Terry Redlin. "Mostly what I've learned from him is confidence," Spies says. "He attends my shows, and sometimes he'll sit at my booth. That turns some heads."

Spies's family has also rallied around him, transporting his work to galleries and keeping track of the finances so the young artist can paint full-time. Friends, too, provide encouragement. Though Spies admits that young collectors of wildlife are rare, he's proud of the young admirers he's attracted: "It gives me some pride in what I'm doing," he says. "It makes me feel like I've got an investment in the future."