Artist Statement

Fredrick (Fritz) Hilton

I was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on February 8, 1926. On our property outside the city, filled with woods, streams, and fields, I spent my boyhood immersed in nature. At about age 10, I began painting the birds and animals I saw around me, mentored by my parents and uncle, all accomplished artists. My fascination with wildlife led to my pursuit of a degree in ornithology/zoology from Cornell, followed by a Doctor of Science degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Hygiene and Public Health. From 1958 until our retirement in 1995, my late wife, Mary, and I taught at the University of Louisville Medical School. My life brims with art and science, and my love for both has underscored the many adventures of my 96 years. I served as a Navy artist in World War II and as a medical educator in Saigon during the Vietnam War. I have painted and sketched in many parts of the U.S. and in Mexico, South Vietnam, Scotland, France, and Scandinavia. My art-inspired travels have also taken me to Africa, where I photographed and painted wildlife in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and Kenya. I’ve painted many different bird species, mammals (ranging from mice to elephants), portraits, and landscapes. Though most of my work is in acrylic, I also have extensive experience in oil, egg tempera, scratchboard, watercolor, and sculpture. I have thousands of slides and many wonderful memories, and I look forward to future adventures. Paint and brush will be busy!