For Wildlife Artist John Kobald, It’s The Muse, Not The Medium, That Matters Most

For Colorado wildlife artist John Kobald, inspiration and expression are as natural as the surroundings of his sporting life. At his heart, he is an artist who, when he’s not living the outdoor life, is creating it. He has mastered multiple mediums, for his motivation is simply to bring canvas and clay to life in a way that is moving and memorable.

Baseball historians say Pete Rose could have played any position in the game—and he nearly did—and one gets the sense that Kobald is equally versatile, for he could likely turn a wood pile into art if he had no other options, for in his DNA is the unending need to express.

For Kobald, growing up under the tutelage of a father who was a successful artist began the journey of blending vocation and avocation. Coming from a family of outdoor enthusiasts, his parents encouraged him early on to observe nature and to capture it in his art—be it wood carvings, paintings or later in bronze.

Born in St. Charles, Illinois, in 1967, Kobald went on to attend Northern Illinois University where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in sculpture. It was a formality in a career that would be about experiencing the kind of sporting life that he and many of his clients enjoyed. By understanding and interpreting the essence of the sporting world, Kobald was able to distill and forever capture great moments in time through his art. His paintings become windows into the sporting life while his bronzes give pause to epic memories afield.

There are few better places to live the sporting life than in the mountains, fields, and streams near his home in Meeker, Colorado, population 2,500. It is a gateway community to millions of acres of public land and endless miles of trout-rich waters. That is, he need only step outside to embrace his muse.

As a fishing and hunting guide with a client roster that includes captains of industry, military, and political leaders, Kobald draws a keen sense of audience from his time afield. His dry, clever wit makes time afield pass quickly and, as he develops friendships with his guiding clients, they often become collectors of his artwork—reminders of great times afield with the gifted artist.

For many sporting art buyers, a relationship with the artist can be as important as the quality of the art itself. “My experience as a fly-fishing and hunting guide gives me a unique relationship with the natural world and the people who share this passion,” he says.

When not guiding, you’ll find Kobald globetrotting to all corners of the planet that all have one thing in common—they offer exceptional hunting and fishing. Forays to the Caribbean, Central America, Canada, and New Zealand are just some of Kobald’s more adventurous journeys in search of artistic inspiration and sporting success.

When he plugs into the natural world, he returns recharged and ready to access a memory bank resplendent with new ideas. The question for him is simply, will it be a painting or a bronze…watercolor or oil? Such are the dilemmas of a multi-faceted artistic talent.

Kobald’s work has been coveted by wildlife art aficionados for years and sits in galleries and private collections across the country. He also has been an unwavering supporter of conservation causes through his many art donations. In 2020, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, a non-profit dedicated to coastal conservation and the species that call it home, recognized Kobald as their 2020 Artist of the Year.

“I met John about 15 years ago when he was a fishing guide and an exceptional carver of fish,” said BTT’s Bill Legg. “Not only did we catch lots of trout, but I am the proud owner of several of his works. John moved on to bronze sculptures not long after we fished together and he has crafted beautiful likenesses of not only fresh and saltwater fish, but also of birds.”

His versatility can also be found in his subject matter, which reflects his own passion for the field sports. A brush with a wild turkey in the morning might lead to an afternoon working in clay to forever give life to the moment. Helping a client land a trout of a lifetime could be another inspiration to be captured in watercolor. Most of his favorite pieces are born by just such moments.

Today, Kobald is continuing the family business by mentoring his son Shane, a university student who is following in his father’s footsteps. If early indications are any sign, the artistic force is strong in the young Kobald, something that makes his father proud and that will undoubtedly make the next generation of sportsmen and women happy too.