David Charles Wade (Amer., 1952-2019), "The Seeker", oil on panel, signed lower left, with Prix de West Invitational auction label affixed to the verso

sight: 18 x 24 in., frame: 26 x 32 in.

Provenance: Property from the Estate of Robert A. "Bob" Funk Sr. - trailblazing American businessman, philanthropist, and rancher, from his impressive ranch headquarters in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

David Wade is a wildlife painter based in western Wyoming whose work is rooted in his close observation of the Western landscape and the animals that inhabit it. He studied for one year at the University of Utah before attending the Art Center College of Design in Los Angeles, where he trained in advertising illustration. His transition into fine art was encouraged by his participation in the Annual Safari Club International Wildlife Art Show in Las Vegas, where he met and was influenced by respected wildlife artists Robert Abbett, Bob Kuhn, and Ken Carlson. Wade is known for wildlife paintings informed by careful observation and a commitment to continually refining his technique, often working simultaneously on several paintings as he develops his subjects. His career grew from illustration into fine art through exhibition opportunities, although the provided biography does not specify particular awards or major institutional exhibitions beyond his participation in the Safari Club International Wildlife Art Show.