Copyright © Rugs Direct ®
American rug manufacturer Milliken has long sought to put more on their floor coverings than beautiful patterns and colors. With their Wildlife Impressions Collection they have managed to capture some of the most stuffing wildlife art from two of the country's premier studios on area rugs that are now available to you from Rugs Direct.
James, Robert and Joseph Hautman have established themselves as America's foremost family of wildlife artists. All three brothers have received numerous honors and awards, and have been a dominating presence in many state and national duck stamp competitions.
At last count, the three brothers have seen their art featured on over 50 state and federal conservation stamps. Jim, Bob and Joe are the only brothers ever to win the prestigious Federal Duck Stamp Contest. The talents of the Hautman Brothers as well as their unique family gift were mentioned in the motion picture "Fargo." They have received national accolades on television and National Public Radio, and from newspapers such as USA TODAY, The Washington Post, Minneapolis Star Tribune and The St. Paul Pioneer Press, as well as TIME, US News & World Report, Sports Illustrated, U.S. Art and North American Hunter magazines. The Hautmans' creations have been displayed in the Oval Office of the White House and at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.
Milliken has placed close to 30 of their top designs on area rugs that are available in two different sizes - a small 2'8" x 3'10" and convenient 3'10" x 5' 4" size. Unlike many rugs featuring fine artwork, some of the Hautman Wildlife Impressions rugs are available in what is known as "portrait" orientation. That is, the image is taller than it is wider. The decision was made to honor the vision of the artists and create the rugs in the style of the original artwork. This gives you many more options and possibilities when deciding where to decorate with one of these beautiful rugs.
The Milliken Hautman rugs are made of 100% nylon for durability and longevity. They are suitable for an entry way, although for obvious reasons, many people don't like to place these rugs in areas of high foot traffic. Another great location is in front of a fireplace - although it's not uncommon to see one of these rugs hung on a wall in a den, family room or lodge-theme living room.
Well-known wildlife artist Eddie Leroy comes from Eufaula, Alabama. His career as an artist began in college in 1986 when he entered an Alabama Wildlife Federation art contest in Birmingham. He did not win but a collector purchased his painting, his first art sale. Just two years later, he won that Alabama contest and has been chosen as the artist for a number of stamp-print programs since then.
About of dozen of his most beautiful wildlife paintings are available in the Milliken Wildlife Impressions Collection. Interestingly, Leroy is known for "painting from life." That is, each picture he paints is from an actual place in North America and there is a factual story behind the image.
To explore the complete line of Hautman and Leroy Wildlife Impressions rugs from Milliken, take a look at Rugs Direct.
