Carl Barks (American, 1901-2000): For the Disney Duck-loving world, it was Carl Barks who exploited the globe-trotting adventures of the Disney Ducks to their fullest, with nearly 500 stories to his credit. His colorful cast of creations includes Scrooge McDuck, Gladstone Gander, Gyro Gearloose , the Junior Woodchucks, the Beagle Boys, Magica De Spell, and Flintheart Glomgold. After Barks eased into his retirement from his heavy workload at Western Publishing, he supplemented his income with oil paintings sold at local art shows. Early subjects included humorous scenes of life on the farm and portraits of Native American princesses. After a few comic book fan/detectives discovered that Barks was the "Good Duck Artist," they commissioned Disney Duck scenes based on Barks' most memorable stories. The popularity and value of these paintings has grown enormously ever since. In 2000, the beloved "Good Duck Artist" died at age 99, only a few months shy of his 100th birthday.