Growing up with a huge interest in hunting and nature, with a strong connection with the North Dakota outdoors, was as natural and exciting as discovering his passion to paint. After receiving a business degree from Mayville State University he brought a new focus to his discovered talent.
In 1997, coaxed by a friend to enter his very first duck stamp competition, Jeff submitted a painting of a pair of hooded mergansers in the Nevada Duck Stamp Competition. His entry placed 5th out of 67 entries, inspiring him to pursue and develop his skills as an artist. With continued hard work he achieved his goal of winning the Nevada Duck Stamp competition in 2002.
He has since taken top honors in many regional art shows including a best of show in the Cavalier Rendezvous Festival. More recently he was named 1999 North Dakota Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year and in 2001 was given the honor of being named the Northern Lights Boy Scouts Artist of the Year. Jeff's love for wildlife and nature are the two driving forces that continue to inspire him to follow his passion to paint.