Painter Rob Leslie grew up in Wisconsin where hunting is a family tradition, but it wasn’t until he moved to Turnersville in 1985 that he began to put the wildlife around him on canvas. Shunning the 9-to-5 routine and searching for something new to do, Rob dove into his longtime dream of painting, inspired by his hunting experiences. “Seeing everything around me is as much a part of the hunting experience as hunting. It’s impossible to not recognize the beauty that’s around here.” Rob’s acrylics and oils of mammals, game birds, hunting scenes and mostly waterfowl have earned him national acclaim. Ducks Unlimited recognized him as “Artist of the Year” in 1996 for “Just Laying Around”–a painting of green wing teals and black ducks. Rob also won contests for 18 Duck Stamps around the country, including three in New Jersey. He sells his work at shows along the East Coast, but exhibits exclusively at Decoys & Wildlife Gallery in Frenchtown (888-996-6501).