Joseph Hautman is the third of seven children (four brothers, two sisters). His mother Elaine was a commercial artist and is an accomplished painter, and his brothers Jim and Bob are multiple winners of the Federal Duck Stamp contest. Joe’s father’s interest in hunting and painting ducks helped to instill a respect in Joe for wildlife and the outdoors. Much of his childhood was spent in the woods and wetlands near his home in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Witnessing the gradual encroachment of man on these natural habitats has contributed to Joe’s personal commitment to wildlife preservation and restoration efforts.

Since his early childhood Joe has enjoyed drawing and painting, but his artistic endeavors competed with interest in music, sports, and the sciences. At the University of Minnesota, Joe studied both art and physics. He obtained a degree in physics in 1979 and obtained a doctorate (Ph.D.) in theoretical physics in 1985 from the University of Michigan. Joe continued his research at the University of Minnesota and the University of Pennsylvania. His published work has contributed to the understanding of a broad range of physical, chemical and biological phenomena; from the shapes of water droplets and snowflakes, to the microscopic structure of soap films and cell membranes.

In the midst of an active research career, with over 25 publications to his name, Joe’s painting of a Spectacled Eider was the winning entry for the 1992-93 Federal Duck Stamp. In his first art competition after winning the Federal, he took first place in an open competition for the design of the 1994 South Carolina Duck Stamp. He has also designed the 1995 New Jersey Duck Stamp (voted Best Design by the National Duck Stamp Collectors Society), and the 1997 Texas Nongame Stamp Print. He has won the 1998 Connecticut Duck Stamp and the 2002-3 Federal Duck Stamp, among many other coveted awards. Joe recently found himself visiting President George Bush in the Oval office and receiving honors for his artistic achievements!

Joe now lives and paints full time in his home state of Minnesota. His work features waterfowl and a variety of North American animals. Inspired by travels to India, he has also painted tigers and other Asian wildlife. The accuracy of detail and the naturalistic setting in his work reflect his scientific background, as well as a reverence for wildlife and their habitat.