Wendy Wilkerson
Wendy Wilkerson
When I was very young, I would trace printed images, becoming familiar with graceful lines, form and space. Mainly through self-taught studies, art became my lifetime focus, my profession, my expression and my joy.
My current works have taken on the intense colors and vibrancy of the Yunnan school of painting. Delicate rice paper, painted on both sides in "heavy color" gouache, brings vibrancy, visual depth and dimension to the images. Edges are left untrimmed and the paper floated, adding to the unique treatment and style.
My paintings depict various images, but always with the imagery of the Sun and Moon that watch over our world. The brushwork moves the viewer’s eyes and mind between the spatial relationships, while bold color and visual images attracts and holds the imagination. Subtle shadings, fine line work and unique subjects make these works my finest achievements.
Art is my total immersion. I am honored to share them with you.
In the Beginning
Since childhood, art has been at the center of my life. In 1964 at the age of nine, I received my first public recognition as an artist when in a district competition I was presented with the Scholastic Arts Award for Sculpture, Best in Show, for a copper wire sculpture. The public library became my art instructor as I studied and practiced sculpting techniques. In 1969, my interest in sculpture encouraged me to work with enameling and ceramics.
1970 brought my first opportunity to show as an adult when a male bust was juried as part of the May Show at the Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland (OH). That same year, my focus began to shift from sculpting to drawing and painting using traditional oils, acrylics and soft pastels. In 1973, my life long commitment was sealed when I sold my first painting, Toulouse Lives, an acrylic on board. The next year I began a parallel career in commercial art that would both financially support my artwork and allow me to refine a multitude of skills that are used in my fine art. Traveling throughout the U.S., my commercial art career would range from copyrighted drawings and designs, catalogues, ads and instructional materials, to the billboards of Ocean City (MD).
Turning Points
In 1982, I returned to Cleveland and took employment with Downing Displays. I was now a Master Craftsman Sign Painter and the first woman to join the sign painters' union. I painted trade show displays for Goodyear, Rockwell International, Morse Controls, Rubber Queen, and other major corporations.
I finally had the courage to open my own company in 1988. I became President and Owner of Artisign Graphics, Inc., Cleveland (OH), a design studio for printing, advertising, logo design, and graphics. After years of teaching myself hand and board work, it was time to master computer graphics and design.
My desires to interact with other fine artists lead me to join Women Artist Group Effort (WAGE) in Wooster (OH). Founded by Susan Shie, this association of women artists is dedicated to creating art and promoting women artists. As an active member of WAGE, I continued to paint and acted as rotating curator of monthly shows at The College of Wooster and the Wayne Center for the Arts.
My continued vision to balance my commercial art with my fine art lead me to open Cicuye Studios, LLC in Alexandria (VA) in 1999. The studio provides a work center for me to continue my study of art and produce paintings in acrylic, pastel and gouache. Since 1997, the various techniques and images of the years have melded into the gouache and rice paper images that characterize my work today.
Major Events
Since coming to the Washington area, and with growing recognition of my work, I have taken a more aggressive approach in promoting and producing my fine art. I continue to grow and expand my work, enjoying the creativity and expression found in producing art.
- August 2009 ‘Scapes All-Media Membership Show: Honorable Mention
- Featured cover art on “Infant Pathways to Language: Methods, Models, and Research Directions” (Hardcover) by John Colombo (Editor), Peggy McCardle (Editor), Lisa Freund (Editor), © 2009
- American Artist Magazine: Winter 2005 Edition Watercolor features an 8-page full color spread of my life and work.
- December 2002 WLWILKERSON.COM debut website, featuring in-depth discussions on painting style, technique and extensive photos of the work.
Memberships / Organizations:
- Pinecrest Artist League, Alexandria (VA)
- The Art League, Alexandria (VA)
- The National Museum for Women in the Arts
- WetCanvas! online artist community
- WAGE, Wooster (OH), honorary member