Wendy Christensen’s passion for wildlife and art began at a very early age. After receiving her first set of oil paints at age 10 and beginning taxidermy at age 12, it was full steam ahead to an award-winning career in wildlife art. She joined the Milwaukee Pubic Museum as a taxidermist and artist in 1982. Although she enjoys all aspects of wildlife, she specializes in the realistic recreation of mammals.  

Christensen has received numerous awards for her work, including Judge's Choice - Best of Show and World Champion at the 2009 World Taxidermy Championships for her artificial recreation of Samson, a lowland gorilla and the Milwaukee County Zoo’s most famous inhabitant. Her career has been featured in local and national publications, most recently the August 2015 issue of National Geographic Magazine.