|
|
Ad Code: 4
|
An example of work by John Salsnek
Artwork images are copyright of the artist or assignee
|
|
Biography from AskART:
| The following is from the artist, August 2004.
John Salsnek lives with his wife Stephanie on a "hobby farm" in a country valley between Oliver and Pentiction in British Columbia. The artist's studio is a traditional country barn where they are in residence most of the time, but they do travel throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alberta.
Born in Graz, Austria in 1947, Salsnek came to Canada as a child, moved across the provinces, and after numerous relocations finally settled in the Okanagan Valley with his professional career in shopping centre management. By 1990, he had a strong enough clientele for the original works that he decided to become a full-time artist. Within the next several years, he was honored by organizations including Ducks Unlimited and had images published in several coffeetable books. Limited edition prints followed.
Always the artist and outdoorsman, Salsnek was first inspired by his mother's artistic talent and foremost his love of the outdoors, and these two passions led him to the goal of capturing on canvas those moments in nature that evoke a range of emotional responsesincluding humour and familiarity. Although primarily an artist who depicts nature, Salsnek creates work that cannot be specifically designated as wildlife or landscape. His canvases may take the viewer on a walk through the woods, or atop a mountain. He also has a sense of whimsy, which, for example, can be seen in his painting, "The Beetles", a quartet of brilliantly coloured beetles named with due respect, John, Paul, George and Ringo. His style is realistic, and some of his work is detailed scientific illustrations including tortoise shells and exotic frogs.
He begins his painting process with subject research, and claims his treasured quarterhorse is his finest research assistant. Her saddlebags are always well stocked with film, sketching tools andbinoculars. Although preferring to do as much of his own research as possible, Salsnek relies on his extensive library to insure that the integrity of his work is not compromised by something as insignificant to most as an inappropriate moss. This stage is followed by his drawings that evolve into the final composition.
He sketches the original painting onto canvas or board and layers with several base coats to establish the desired preliminary values and overall direction. He puts each painting through the process of alternating darks and lights, gradually refining, until he achieves the desired shades of lighting, depth and detailthat have become signature to his works.
Completing a piece is often a longer process. Salsnek says, " I frequently put a piece away, totally out of sight for several weeks to get a new prospective on it....then I'm able to discover what it needs to be complete. I have to be totally satisfied with it before I apply the final varnish." He acknowledges that he has taken years to complete some works to hisown satisfaction.
In deciding which images to offer as limited editions prints, he considers the popularity of certain imagesand the subsequent affordability to his collectors, and then maintains strict controls on the entire publishing process. His wife handles administrative and promotional work, and the couple also participate in fundraising programs for causes of aiding children and animals.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
2003 - Best New Artist - Jurors' Choice - Calgary Stampede Western Art Exhibition
2000 - Voted Best Artist in the Okanagan, Okanagan Life Magazine
1999 - Blue Ribbon ( 2 Dimensional ) Spokane Western Art Show
1998 - Published - Wildlife Art
1997 - Published - Best of Wildlife Art - Northlight Books - Detroit
1996 - Published - Naturescape - Province of British Columbia
1995 - Published - Brushes in the Sun - coffeetable edition
1994 - Artist of the Year - Ducks Unlimited
1993 - British Columbia Wildlife Federation - Honours
1992 - Art Award of the Year - Ducks Unlimited
1990 - Began painting full time
- established a working studio and Gallery
|
| ** If you discover credit omissions or have additional information to add, please let us know at registrar@AskART.com. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|