Debbie Lentz Wildlife Artist

Photograph of Debbie Lentz holding a golden eagle

Debbie Lentz, former owner/operator of the successful Wombat Art Works Gallery in Waynesville, OH is now dedicating her artistic career to producing and promoting her own works of wildlife and nature subjects. Debbie’s early experience as a volunteer for the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens helped to fuel her passion to create her realistic wildlife art, particularly her big cats.
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Debbie is a Dayton based artist, graduating from the University of Cincinnati with her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. She is dedicated, wholeheartedly to the preservation of wildlife as well as the habitats in which they live. Through her art work, Debbie has helped to raise money for such organizations as the Cincinnati Zoo, the Center for Endangered Wildlife, the Angel Fund, the Columbus Zoo, the Hamilton County Parks, Raptor Inc., the International Society of Endangered Cats, and the Fishing Cat Species Survival Program. She hopes that through her art she can inspire others to do what they can to protect the earth and all its inhabitants.

Education

1987: BFA, University of Cincinnati – Cincinnati, OH

Experience, Memberships and other Education

2015 – Present: Member of the International Society of Scratchboard Artists
2014 – Present: Member of the Society of Animal Artists
2014 – 2025/closing: Member of The American Academy of Equine Art(AAEA)
2013 – Present: Member of Masterworks for Nature
2010 – 2019: Freelance horse design artwork for Kelley & Co.using Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator
2005 – 2022/closing: Member of the Susan K. Black Foundation (SKB)
2004-06, 13, 14, 18 & 19: SKB Art Workshops in Dubois, WY/studying under Robert Bateman, John Banovich, Greg Beecham, Lee Cable, Guy Combes, Andrew Denman, James Gurney, Heiner Hertling, Mathew Hillier, Julie Jeppsen, John Seerey-Lester, John Ruthven, Jessica Zemsky, Bruce Miller & Rod Lawrence
1993– Present: Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens Volunteer/past Procedures Team Leader at the CREW building; now doing Art, Design and Photography work
2000, 02, 05 & 08: Invitation and Program Artwork for the Angels of Music show at the Cincinnati Zoo to raise money for the Cheetahs
2005 & 08: Designed fiberglass centerpieces for Angels of Music
2002: Designed and created candle centerpieces for Angels of Music
2002: Designed and created The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Gardens painted flowerpot entry for Cincinnati’s Flower Power Exhibition
2002: Created a painting for an officially licensed Kentucky Wildcat limited edition print for the University of Kentucky
2001: Created painting for limited edition prints for the Cincinnati Zoo’s CREW department to raise money for the Fishing Cat Species Survival Program
2000 & 01: Created two paintings for the Cincinnati Zoo to use for limited edition prints for recognized Volunteers
2000: Designed and created life size 2D animal silhouettes for the Angels of Music show at Music Hall, Cincinnati,OH
1990 – 2004: Ohio Society of Nature Artists (OSNA) Past President and member

Publications

2024, 2016, 2014, 2012: The KY National Wildlife Art Exhibit/OVAL Show Book/Publication
2024: The International Society of Scratchboard Artists Annual Show Book/Publication
2023: The Society of Animal Artists Annual Show Art and the Animal Show Book/Publication
2022: The International Society of Scratchboard Artists Annual Show Book/Publication
2020: The International Society of Scratchboard Artists Annual Show Book/Publication
2019: In the Tradition of Audubon Exhibit Show Book/Publication
2010 – 2019: The Kelley & Co. product catalog
2014 & 15: Aullwood Audubon Center publication w/Masterworks for Nature
2001: The Dayton Daily News, recognized for wildlife art
1997: The Artist Magazine, article on pastel techniques

Exhibitions

2024: KY National Wildlife Art Exhibit/OVAL, Henderson, KY with “The Young and Curious Hunter” & “Burrowing Owl Study”
2024: American Academy of Equine Art Annual Show, Aiken, SC with “Masterpiece PA”
2024: International Society of Scratchboard Artists Annual Show, Okoboji, IA with “GREEN” & “The Shepards Hook”
2023: Society of Animal Artists National Tour exhibition, Oradell, NJ; Logan, KS; Chicago, IL with “Golden Gaze”
2023: Society of Animal Artists Annual Show Art and the Animal, Wheeling, WV with “Golden Gaze”
2023: Masterworks for Nature Birds Gone Wild show, Cincinnati, OH
2022: International Society of Scratchboard Artists Annual Show, Bradenton, FL with “Golden Gaze”
2022: Society of Animal Artists Online Show “Winged Things” with “Keen Eyed and Ready”
2020: International Society of Scratchboard Artists Annual Show, Tucson, AZ with “The Young and Curious Hunter”
2019: In the Tradition of Audubon Exhibit, Cincinnati Museum Center, Cincinnati, OH
2018: Between the Miamis, a Great Parks Exhibition, Cincinnati, OH
2017: CNC Wood Thrush Art Show & Awards Event, Cincinnati, OH
2017: Ruthven Gallery Art Show w/Masterworks for Nature, Georgetown, OH
2016: Art Show Event in Cincinnati w/Masterworks for Nature
2016 – 18: Art at the Trace, Solo Show, Centerville, OH
2015: Ruthven with Raptor a Raptor Inc. Benefit Event, Milford, OH
2014: Season of Equine Show at Customs House Museum, Clarksville, TN
2014: What We’ve Lost: Recalling the Passenger Pigeon – Show at Cornell University
2014: Loyd Library Show w/ Masterworks for Nature
2014, 15 & 17: The Art of Nature Exhibits I, II, III/Aullwood Audubon Center w/Masterworks for Nature
2013 & 2014: The Scott County Arts & Cultural Center Gallery w/ The American Academy of Equine Art
2012, 14 & 16: KY National Wildlife Art Exhibit/OVAL/Henderson, KY
2005, 06, 13, 14, 18 & 19: Small Works Art Show / Headwaters Gallery in Dubois, WY w/ SKB
2000, 02, 05 & 08: Angels of Music / Cheetah Conservation Solo Show
1999 – 2003 & 08: Hamilton County Parks Wildlife Art Show w/ OSNA
2002, 03 & 06: Centerville Fine Arts Market Art Solo Show
2004: Kentucky Horse Park w/ the American Academy of Equine Art
2004: Raptor Inc. Show w/ Christopher Walden
2004: Art Frame Gallery Wildlife Art Show w/OSNA
2002 – 04: Columbus Zoo / International Society of Endangered Cats Art Show w/ OSNA
1994 – 2004: Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens Art Show w/ OSNA

Recognitions & Awards

2024: Masterpiece PA won the Jean Bowman Award/AAEA annual show/Aiken, SC
2024: The Young and Curious Hunter won the Edward Jones Award/KY National Wildlife Art Exhibit (OVAL)/Henderson, KY
2024: GREEN won the Pushing Boundaries Award/ISSA Annual show/Okoboji, IA
2018: Night Watch (Spectacled Owl) scratchboard won 1st place in the other medium category/Headwaters Gallery Small Works Show/Dubois, WY
2018: Autumn Prince (White Tail Buck) scratchboard was chosen for the ISSA Annual Show T-Shirt Design
2017: Wood Thrush Award – Cincinnati Nature Center, Cincinnati, OH
2016: Scanning the Area (Spectacled Owl) scratchboard won the Farmers State Bank & Trust cash Award/KY National Wildlife Art Exhibit (OVAL) Henderson, KY
2013: Screech Owl scratchboard entry won best frame for subject award/Headwaters Gallery Small Works Show/Dubois, WY
2012: Ruby Crowned Kinglet painting won the Chuck & Rita Stagg award/KY National Wildlife Art Exhibit (OVAL) Henderson, KY