Stunning Original Art by Gallery 55 Artist Jo-Ann Wichary
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Check out my Gallery to view available works and other products.
About The Artist
My Background
I grew up on a farm in a rural area of Vancouver Island and all through my childhood, I was surrounded by a plethora of animals from cats and dogs, to horses, chickens, beef and dairy cattle, hogs and sheep.
Of course, living on a farm came with all of the other great things about this life style; mom and dad and three brothers; grandmother and grandfather living close; milking machines, cream separators, butter churns, tractors and plows, warming new born piglets by the good old wood stove, school on the bus and many other wonderful things!
My mother Pearl, was famous for her home-churned butter and folks came from miles around to buy her fresh made wares,
Logging and shingle mills were in my family for generations and horse and machinery logging, shingle sawing and packing were part of our lives from the 1920's to the mid 1980's.
All through my childhood, school and during any private time I had, my most wonderful times were spent drawing and painting. I had so much material to choose from!
As I got older, I began to sketch animals and scenes of farm life along with Christmas, Easter and other holiday figures, and story books for our children. The excitement and joy on their faces that manifested with each new creation, made my heart soar.
This love of drawing and painting never faded and at the urging of a wonderful friend and award winning artist Joyce Trygg, I began honing my skills through various courses and workshops with renowned artists which include but are not limited to: Terry Issac (a number of times including a course on an Alaskan cruise); Leo Hu; Stan Miller; Barry Chadwick, Barry Walker; Lalita Hamill; Carmel Clare and Michael King; - and began putting my passions to canvas in earnest!
From these inspiring and amazing professionals, I have developed my own style and passionate works.
I sincerely hope you will enjoy my original art as so many others do, and as much as I have in their creation.
My Mediums
In the creation of my unique original art and artworks, I use a number of different mediums, such as acrylics, oils and watercolors. My passion to capture the feeling or heart of my subjects is expressed in my media of choice for the specific subject or scene. I believe that working in a single medium is restrictive to my artistic process. Each idea manifests in its own individual style.
I create on canvas, birch board, stretched canvas & cradle board, and various papers for my watercolors.
I have also painted on unique bases such as a 100 year old x 6' long cross-cut saw blade!
My Inspiration
I enjoy hiking in my spare time and many of my pieces are directly influenced by these hikes in nature. I love recreating plants and wildlife in my work.
I have always had a love for mother nature's bounty in the water, mountains, flora and fauna and amazing sunrises and sunsets that God has created for us.
My love for all animals - domestic and exotic is manifested in my artworks as a sort of "living history" as many of these wonderful creatures are disappearing. My city scenes - old and new; water and landscapes; cultural diversity in art and dance; and travel are the inspirations for many of my creative works.
I love the feeling of the canvas; the texture, the way it contains the depth and base for the creation of life; the aroma of the paint as it brings life and soul to the canvas; the brush strokes and light and shade as it completes the work into a thing of beauty.
It is my hope that my works will inspire you. To remember times in your life that meant something to you or something that is special to you today.
Each day, I look at my works and art work of others that I have had the good fortune to acquire... and smile.
Life IS wonderful!
The wonderful world of my mind's eye.
I think that I see things differently in the world around me! The soft down of feathers of a Canada goose; the hint of sunlight on a quiet and remote lake; the texture of the rough hair of a camel - captured in the fine strokes of the watercolor brush; the history and color of old and new; the wonder of young and old; the ferocity of the beasts of the wild - really anything and everything is beautiful and filled with the brush-strokes of the Creator.
The eyes of all animals, humans included, are windows to the soul. They tell all - I try to capture the mystique...the individual magic in all of my subjects.
NEW MASTERPIECES
Welcome to Gallery 55's Art Gallery
acrylic Paintings
See the stunning ORIGINAL Acrylic paintings on high quality Birch or Canvas created by Gallery 55. From landscapes to portraits, these paintings will captivate you with their beauty.
photo -cards
Get a glimpse into the creative process of Gallery 55 with these beautiful copyrighted photo-cards. These Cards are for every occasion and are from my travels around the world. See Gallery Page for additional pricing.
Watercolor Paintings
Discover the beautiful world of ORIGINAL watercolor paintings through Gallery 55's art. These paintings are a celebration of colour and light.
Commissioned Art
Bring Gallery 55's creativity to your home or office with a custom commissioned artwork. Gallery 55 will work with you to create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece.