Frannie artist finalist for Game and Fish contest

Frannie artist Marie Bramson was recently judged a finalist in the Wyoming Game and Fish contest of professional artists for the 2027 conservation stamp.

Bramson was one of 25 finalists from Wyoming, she said, with others coming from other states.

In this year’s contest, artists were directed to paint an Arctic grayling, with each painting evaluated by Game and Fish biologists for anatomical accuracy of the fish and ecological correctness of any habitat portrayed, according to the contest rules.

The entry deadline was March 31, and the winners were announced last Friday, April 24.

Bramson entered a watercolor painting of the grayling, but she said she also works in other mediums such as acrylic, oil, pastel and drawing.

“I’ve done it all in my life, and I’ve also taught it,” she said, noting that she taught night classes at Northwest College.

She said she’s been an artist since she was a child growing up in Iowa. She attended school in Centerville, Iowa, until her senior year, when the family moved to Glenrock. She and her husband, the late John Bramson, moved from Casper to Frannie some 20 years ago, she said.

“I study what I’m going to paint, and I do a practice drawing,” she said. “I go on location when I can, but you can’t do that with a fish. I also like to paint people.”

Bramson said it was a thrill to be judged in this year’s conservation stamp contest.

“Just to be in the nationwide competition and to be one of the top artists chosen by judges to be in the competition with 56 participants, 25 from Wyoming, is such an honor for me,” she said.

Justin Hayward of Casper is this year’s conservation stamp contest winner, awarded $3,500 for first place. Dan Andrews of Denver was second, Scott Donovan of Loveland, Colorado, third, Mark Fredericksen of Davenport, Iowa, fourth and Emma Higby of Laramie fifth. There were also 10 honorable mention awards given.