“Count Me In”

Ralph J. McDonald has been a wildlife and sporting art collectors’ favorite throughout his career.  Recognized countless times by Ducks Unlimited, seasonal inspirations for his Santa/Christmas paintings plus his outdoor kids themes add up to plenty of reasons to embrace this talented artist’s work.

This month’s painting entitled “Count Me In” could well be a rallying cry for outdoor women of all ages.  This one embodies the foundation for female hunters and a point from which countless young male hunting counterparts have also started, and a desire to simply be included.  How many times at hunting camp or at home before a hunt has a youngster pleaded, “take me,” or “I want to go.”

Furthermore, the swelling population of women hunters is a testament to the strength in hunter numbers in general.  This young hunter is clothed, outfitted with gear, plus accompanied by her retriever companion plus there early.  She won’t be the reason for a late start.

“Count Me In” speaks to any parent with a daughter or grandparents with granddaughters.  Back in the day, girls that liked the outdoors and were not afraid to get “dirty” were called Tomboys.  Today as well as then, they stand on their own merits ready to compete with skillsets in pursuit of a chosen gamebird or animal.

McDonald’s “Count Me In” is an image that will forever be etched in one’s memory.  It reflects on the evolution of our hunting heritage — where it has been, where it is today and the bright future ahead.  There is strength in numbers and young hunters represent our collective future, plus the future of wildlife and wild places.

For more information on “Count Me In” and other fine works of art by Ralph J. McDonald, visit www.countrysidestudio.com, or call (615) 767-4480. — Bill L. Olson

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