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Rick Wheeler
AFC
Scratchboard, watercolor, acrylic, oil |
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Originally from Southern California, Rick Wheeler moved to the woodlands of Northern California in 1972 to pursue an art education. While obtaining an Associates of Arts degree in Graphic Design, he also studied studio arts, including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, and filmmaking. Part of his education included courses at two of San Francisco's most notable art colleges - the San Francisco Art Institute, where he was awarded a scholarship to attend, and the San Francisco Academy of Art University, where he studied illustration. He also holds a B.A. degree in Fine Art from Prescott College, Arizona.
In 1994 Rick left California for the Four Corners region of the southwest U.S. Since that time he has lived in southwest Colorado, southeast Utah, and southern Arizona. He has been heavily influenced by the light, color, and forms of the desert southwest - both in terms of the land and it's people - and he enjoys hiking and painting the terrain as much as possible. As an artist, Rick feels being a keen observer of the natural world is as important as the tools with which those observations are rendered. His art pursuits have led to his interest in conservation and the preservation of open space and wildlife habitat.
For many years he has operated his own award-winning illustration and graphic design studio, Rick Wheeler Illustration & Design (www.rickarts.com). Although Rick works in a variety of media, he is best known for his scratchboard/watercolor technique. Several National Parks and Monuments including Arches, Canyonlands, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Hovenweep, Joshua Tree, Mesa Verde, Pinnacles, Sequoia, Yosemite, and Zion, as well as several other organizations have commissioned his work. Please visit the "Artwork" page for samples. Besides being a member of Artists for Conservation, Rick was also a 20-year member of the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators (now retired).
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Support for Conservation:
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Special Achievements:
- 2015 - Grand Canyon Celebration of Art
http://www.grandcanyon.org
Invited to participate in the 7th annual Grand Canyon Celebration of Art event, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ. Several pieces of my work sold, 50% of which is donated to a fund to establish a permanent art venue for the Parks extensive art collection.
- 2015 - Artists for Conservation
http://www.artistsforconservation.org
Scratchboard/watercolor piece, "Thunderhead" was jury selected to the 2015 Artists for Conservation members exhibit, held in Vancouver, Canada. A reproduction of the work can be found in the annual hardcover book published by AFC of the member's exhibit.
- 2015 - Cattlemen's Western Art Show & Sale
http://www.cattlemenswesternartshow.com
Invited to participate in the annual 3-day show, Cattlemen's Western Art Show & Sale, Paso Robles, California, March 27-29, 2015.
- 2014 - Artists for Conservation
http://www.artistsforconservation.org
Jury selected to the annual Artists for Conservation member's exhibit under the Virtual category for my piece, "Ocelot," which is also published in the organization's annual hardbound book of the exhibit.
- 2014 - The Artist's Magazine
http://theartistsmagazine.com
Jury selected as a finalist to the 31st annual Artist's Magazine art competition for my scratchboard/watercolor piece, "Ocelot," in the Animal/Wildlife category. This marks my second consecutive year of being jury selected to this prestigious competition.
- 2014 - Ocelot
http://www.gnsi.org
Jury selected to the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators member's annual exhibit, being held at the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History, April 19-Sept. 25, 2014.
- 2013 - The Artist's Magazine
http://theartistsmagazine.com
Invited to be "Artist of the Month," 2014 by Artist's Magazine for my scratchboard/watercolor piece, "Gray Hawk.". This invitation was offered due to being selected to Artist's Magazine's 30th Annual Art Competition, under the "Wildlife/Animal" category, 2013.
- 2013 - America's Parks II
http://www.davidjwagnerllc.com
Jury selected to this national touring exhibit. Two works selected, including Honorable Mention Award winner, "Gray Hawk," and "Cliff Palace," based on the Ancestral Puebloan ruins at Mesa Verde National Park.
- 2013 - Paint the Parks
http://www.paintamerica.org
Jury selected "Night Watch (Shoshone Point)," a scratchboard/watercolor piece based on Grand Canyon National Park. Exhibit travels parts of the U.S., beginning at the Coutts Museum of Art, El Dorado, KS.
- 2013 - Grand Canyon Celebration of Art
http://www.grandcanyon.org
Invited for the 5th consecutive year to participate in this group show, established as a fundraiser for the Grand Canyon's efforts to create a permanent exhibit space of its extensive art collection. Sale and show begins September 20, 2013.
- 2013 - International Society of Scrathboard Artists
http://www.scratchboardsociety.com
Jury selected to the 2nd annual International Society of Scratchboard Artists members exhibit, held at the Federation of Canadian Artists Gallery, Vancouver, Canada.
- 2012 - Artists for Conservation Virtual Art Exhibit
http://artistsforconservation.com
Jury selected to the 2012 Artists for Conservation Virtual Art Exhibit. The two pieces selected: "Late in the Day" and "Scrub Jay," both created in scratchboard/watercolor. Please see Art page to view the art. These works also went on exhibit at the 2012 Grand Canyon Celebration of Art, Kolb Studio, Grand Canyon National Park.
- 2012 - Guild of Natural Science Illustrators members exhibit
http://www.science-art.com
Jury selected to GNSI's annual members exhibit, held at Pei Ling Gallery, Savannah College of Art and Design, Savannah, GA.
- 2012 - Grand Canyon Celebration of Art
http://www.grandcanyon.org
Invited for the 4th consecutive year to participate in the Grand Canyon Celebration of Art, Grand Canyon National Park. Proceeds go towards the building of an exhibit space for the Park's extensive permanent art collection.
- 2011 - Paint the Parks
http://www.paintamerica.com
Jury selected to the 2011 "Paint the Parks" exhibit.
- 2011 - Southwest Contemporary Realism
http://www.arroyosantafe.com
Jury selected to the "Southwest Contemporary Realism" exhibit, Arroyo Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
- 2011 - Grand Canyon Celebration of Art
http://www.grandcanyon.org
Invited to participate in the third annual Grand Canyon Celebration of Art, 2010. Proceeds from art sales go towards the building of an exhibit space for the Grand Canyon's extensive permanent art collection, which includes a piece of my own.
- 2010 - Grand Canyon Celebration of Art
http://www.grandcanyon.org
- 2009 - In Madera Canyon
http://www.janeeholt.com
Illustrated children's book about the plant and wildlife of Madera Canyon, AZ. Written by Jane E. Holt. Book was nominated by ForeWord Books for Best Children's Picture Book.
- 2009 - Guild of Natural Science Illustrators
http://www.science-art.com
Jury selected to the 2009 GNSI Annual Member's Exhibit, held at the University of Maryland.
- 2009 - Grand Canyon Celebration of Art
http://www.grandcanyon.org
The inaugural event "Grand Canyon Celebration of Art" featured 30 artists in the sale and exhibit to raise money for "creation of a permanent art venue in the Historic District of the South Rim, assuring that future generations will be able to experience Grand Canyon art at its best."
- 2008 - Guild of Natural Science Illustrators Annual Members' Exhibit
http://www.science-art.com
Selected to the 2008 GNSI Annual Members' Exhibit for the scratchboard/watercolor piece, "Cougar." Exhibit held at the Hartell Gallery in Sibley Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y.
- 2008 - Zion National Park Centennial Art Exhibit: A Century of Sanctuary
http://sgartmuseum.org
An art exhibit celebrating the 100 year anniversary of Zion National Park, Utah, USA. As one of 68 pieces selected from more than 500 entries, my painting, "The Virgin River, Late Afternoon Light" was also one of the pieces awarded the "Juror's Award." The painting is now in the permanent collection of the St. George Museum of Art
- 2007 - Paint the Parks
http://www.paintamerica.org
Jury selected to the first annual "Paint the Parks" competition. This show is for artists painting U.S. National Parks subject matter. Painting selected: "Hopi Point" of Grand Canyon National Park.
- 2006 - Guild of Natural Science Illustrators Annual Exhibit
http://www.science-art.com
Selected to the 2006 GNSI Annual Members Exhibit. The jury selected two pieces, "Green Winged Macaw" and "Bengal Tiger." The exhibit was held at the Ebling Library at the University of Wisconsin, Madison campus.
- 2006 - "A Legacy of Grand Canyon Art"
http://www.grandcanyon.org
Selected to participate in this group show, held at the Grand Canyon's Kolb Studio. The exhibit was for artists, past and present, whose work has been purchased as part of the Grand Canyon Association's permanent collection.
- 2004 - Arts for the Parks Mini 100
Finalist in the top "100 Mini" (miniatures) for this juried exhibit. The piece chosen was "Cactus Wren & Nest" (sold). Footnote: "Arts for the Parks" is no longer in operation.
- 2004 - Eagle Canyon exhibit
http://www.oregonzoo.org
Commissioned to illustrate ten 24x24" panels (scratchboard/watercolor) for the newest exhibit on the Bald Eagle and the Sockeye Salmon at the Oregon Zoo in Portland. Originals available for purchase. Please see "Artwork" page.
- 2003 - Guild of Natural Science Illustrators Annual Exhibition
http://www.science-art.com
GNSI annual juried members exhibit, held at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Colorado. The piece selected was "Yellow Bellied Marmot" (scratchboard/watercolor).
- 1995 - Guild of Natural Science Illustrators Annual Exhibition
http://www.science-art.com
GNSI annual members juried exhibit, held at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona, 1995.
Collections:
- 2008 - St. George Art Museum
http://www.sgartmuseum.org
Acrylic painting, "Virgin River, Late Afternoon Light" is now part of the museum's permanent collection. The painting is available for viewing on the art page.
- 2004 - Grand Canyon Association
http://www.grandcanyon.org
Watercolor ("Desert Wildflower Series: Prickly Pear Cactus") purchased as part of the Association's permanent collection. Hand signed posters of the original are now available at www.grandcanyon.org
Publications:
- In Madera Canyon (2009)
More about In Madera Canyon
Illustrator. Scratchboard/watercolor with additional pencil drawings. - Children's book focusing on the flora and fauna of Madera Canyon, Arizona. The book was nominated by ForeWord Book Awards for best "children's picture book."
Author: Jane E. Holt
Published by: Wheatmark
- The Eruption of Mount St Helens (2005)
Illustrations (watercolor) by Rick Wheeler - Blending fact and fiction, this children's book focuses on a family before and after the eruption of Mount St Helens, Washington in 1980. Book design: Steve Curtis Design, Inc.
Author: Rebecca L. Johnson
Published by: National Geographic Society
Organization Membership:
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