Collection: Pat Pauley

Pat Pauley*

The beauty of the natural world finds vivid expression in the wildlife and Western paintings of artist Pat Pauley. Born on November 15, 1963, in Harlan, Iowa, Pauley discovered his passion for art at a young age, creating his first oil painting while still in junior high school. This early spark ignited a lifelong dedication to painting and to the observation of nature. He now resides in the countryside near Honey Creek, Iowa, with his wife, Sandy, where the surrounding landscape continues to inspire his work.

Pauley works primarily in oil on board, capturing the spirit of wildlife and the Western way of life with a distinctive emphasis on light—his defining artistic hallmark. His upbringing on a Midwestern farm, along with years spent raising horses, fostered a deep connection to the land and to the Western traditions that shape much of his subject matter.

After earning a Bachelor’s degree in architecture and completing graduate studies in art, Pauley refined his craft through the study of influential artists including Robert Bateman, Carl Brenders, and Howard Terpning. Over the course of his career, he has become recognized for paintings that are both technically accomplished and emotionally resonant.

Pauley is also widely respected for his contributions to wildlife conservation. He has been named Artist of the Year by numerous national conservation organizations and remains an active supporter of fundraising initiatives through his artwork. In the past decade alone, his paintings have helped raise an estimated $5 million for the preservation of wildlife and their habitats.

His work has appeared on the covers of more than twenty national magazines and has been exhibited in museums throughout the United States. Today, Pauley’s paintings are represented in both public and private collections and are admired by art enthusiasts and collectors around the world.

*Denotes new artist for 2026