Art student excels as wildlife artist
Clayton Ridge senior Hailey Gaul of Guttenberg completed this realistic depiction of a pheasant during art class using acrylic paints. (Photo submitted)
By Caroline Rosacker
Clayton Ridge senior Hailey Gaul, daughter of Tim and Kari Gaul of Guttenberg, has always been interested in art. As a young child, she loved to draw. In the fourth grade, she began taking art classes at the Guttenberg Gallery and Creativity Center. Hailey enjoyed the variety of art mediums and instruction she received at the after-school program. "It was a great place to experiment with painting, stained glass, and pottery," Hailey commented.
Hailey uses acrylic paint to create her realistic wildlife paintings. She would like to experiment with oil and watercolor paints and expand her range to include landscapes.
In 2024, Hailey used oil pastels to create her Duck Stamp entry, which earned 2nd in Iowa in the 10-12th grade division. Her art teacher entered the piece in the Upper Iowa Conference competition, where it earned third place in the drawing category. Hailey is currently working on her 2025 entry, which will depict a male and female wood duck.
Painting with acrylics comes naturally to Hailey. "I like how detailed you can get with it. It allows me to create a more realistic look," she noted. "You can experiment with different textures and lighting on the subject and in the background."
Each painting begins with a rough sketch and a base color for the background that will represent the overall painting. "I like to start with the head and eye," she told The Press. "It helps with scale and inspires me to keep working on the rest."
Hailey enjoyed spending time outdoors as a child. When her former science teacher Jonathan Klaes mentioned a summer internship opportunity with the Guttenberg DNR Fisheries Station & Aquarium – she applied.
Her summer position ignited a passion for bird watching. "I spent a lot of time outside and developed a love for bird watching," she shared. "They are so beautiful to watch with all their quirks."
Through her artwork, Hailey hopes to inspire others to be more mindful about how they treat the environment.
Hailey would also like to expand into photography. "I would like to take my own wildlife photos and use them as a reference point instead of relying on the Internet," she explained.
Hailey plans to attend the University of Dubuque majoring in Environmental Science, with a minor in Natural Resource Management. She is excited to explore Dubuque's rich art community. "I reached out to the admissions counselor and was pleased they could fit some art classes into my schedule. I also play the alto sax and there are band opportunities as well," she concluded.
