Lot 83

Don Balke (NC,1933-?) gouache painting

Previous image preload Next image preload

Don Balke (NC,1933-?) gouache painting

Estimate: $525 - $675

Starting Bid: $10

(0 Bids)

by Broward Auction Gallery LLC
October 18, 2026 11:45 AM EDT
Live Auction
398 E Dania Beach blvd
#185
Dania Beach, FL, US 33004

ARTIST: Don Balke (North Carolina, 1933 - ???)
TITLE: Muskrat, Delaware (titled on verso)
YEAR: 1984
MEDIUM: gouache on board
CONDITION: Some small damages to corners.
ART SIZE: 11 x 13 inches / 28 x 33 cm
BOARD SIZE: 19 x 21 inches / 48 x 53 cm
SIGNATURE: lower left
PROVENANCE: Collection of James A Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.
LOCATION: This lot is located at our Dania Beach, FL office.
CATEGORY: old antique vintage painting for auction sale online
AD: ART WANTED: Consign, Trade In, Cash Offer
SKU#: 142434
US SHIPPING: $95 + insurance.

BIOGRAPHY:
Balke, the youngest of ten children, grew up on a farm in northern backcountry of Wisconsin. His family was completely dependent on the land; they tapped trees to make maple syrup; used crosscut saws for logging and horses for their farmwork; they raised crops for themselves and as income. His upbringing instilled in him a love of nature and wildlife. He received his first art award in a Wisconsin state-sponsored art contest while at elementary school for a painting of a black bear roaming in the woods. After serving in the US Army, he married Barbara Schernick and they moved to Chicago where he enrolled in the Academy of Fine Arts, now known as the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. During his time at the Academy, he specialized in still-life paintings. After graduating, he was hired by a Chicago illustrating studio and eventually moved back to Wisconsin where he worked as a commercial art director. He won many awards for his work as an art director and illustrator. On his own time, late in the night, he painted and developed his skills as a wildlife artist. After 17 years, he left his work as an art director to devote himself completely to watercolors and wildlife art. By 1979, they had six children and a home in the village of Thiensville, Wisconsin. Balke's love of nature took him to the NC mountains where he bought 200 acres in McDowell County and built a home. In 1985, a gallery was added and the Don Balke Wildlife Gallery was opened. In 1987, his work was chosen as the illustration for the official NC Zoo poster. In 1992, the United States Post Office issued a series of first-class postage stamps portraying five different species of hummingbirds designed by Balke. Balke travels to Africa, Australia, Ireland, the Caribbean, and across the 50 United States for inspiration and research. His wife, Barbara Schernick Balke, does extensive research on the animals and their habitats in preparation for the paintings and does much of the photography on research trips. He is best known for his detailed and realistic watercolor paintings portraying wildlife in their natural environment. In 2000, he transitioned to a more impressionistic style with oils portraying scenes from Yosemite National Park in California, Ocracoke Island on the Outer Banks, and Grandfather Mountain in North Carolina.

  • Medium: gouache

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Shipping: Shipping fees listed with each lot pertain to domestic shipping only. International bidders are subject to higher shipping fees. Please inquire about shipping to a particular country before the start of the auction. Purchased items will be shipped on a first paid, first shipped basis and may take up to five (5) business days for said shipment to leave our (Broward Auction Gallery) auction house. All domestic mainland items are shipped via USPS Parcel Select unless otherwise specified or requested by the customer.
Invoices must be paid in full to Broward Auction Gallery before purchased property can be released or collected. We will store merchandise free of charge for a period of up to (10) business days. After that period a daily storage charge of $5 per lot/day will commence regardless of lot size or value.
For items that are too large for in-house shipment, a gallery approved vendor will be provided for crate and freight services. Broward Auction Gallery WILL NOT CANCEL SALE DUE TO SHIPPING.

Broward Auction Gallery LLC

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 27% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $399 $20
$400 $699 $25
$700 $1,499 $50
$1,500 $3,999 $100
$4,000 $7,999 $250
$8,000 $14,999 $500
$15,000 $29,999 $1,000
$30,000 $299,999 $2,000
$300,000 + $5,000