Fred Weiser passed away in April 2026. His art will continue to impact everyone viewing it with his love and admiration for nature, particularly his beloved Cades Cove.

Fred was born in Port Jervis, New York, and grew up in Haven, New York (population 25 on a busy day!) in the foothills of the Catskill Mountains. As a child, Fred loved the mountains, and his affinity for them has never waned. Growing up, he spent all of his free time in the woods and was an avid hunter and fisherman.

fter serving four years in the US Navy, Fred married his high school sweetheart, Barbara. In the late 1950's, they moved to Melbourne, Florida, and raised three children while he made a career in the space and electronics industry. While working full-time, Fred attended college at night and earned both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree. He spent any free time sketching and painting.

After taking early retirement in 1991, Fred returned to his passion for painting.

Fred's feelings for animals and his knowledge of their behavior and habitat were evident in his work. Most notable about Fred's paintings are the use of color and light to portray his subjects. The animals' eyes are enthralling, and each subject speaks directly to the viewer.

The realism in Fred's paintings is superb.  While striving to capture the inner essence of the animal and scene, and not merely make a "photographic rendition" of it, he noted that a wildlife artist must understand subtle differences. Did you know, he asked, that the hair on a cat's nose grows in a different direction than the rest of its fur? Fred believed strongly that an artist cannot paint effectively what he or she does not know intimately. That's why he spent countless hours doing field work.

During his career, Fred spent hours daily at his easel painting or doing field studies in Cades Cove. He joked that he labored more as an artist than before he retired.

Fred stated, I constantly strive to convey the feelings and sights I have experienced in the Cove in my paintings so that others can enjoy its natural beauty, and hopefully, become more concerned with preserving wildlife and their habitat. Spending time in the Cove enables you to observe and, hopefully, capture those fleeting magical moments that most folks don't get to experience.

Fred noted that, those of us who are fortunate enough to live here in East Tennessee have a strong emotional attachment to the mountains, wildlife, and environment.  We are indeed fortunate to have the great Smoky Mountains National Park as a national treasure, especially Cades Cove.