Illustration, Graphic Design, Fine Art, Art Classes
Studio: 520.405.9342 / rickwheeler_1@msn.com
WELCOME-please scroll down for bio, classes, client list,
updates & art news, or click on Portfolio buttons at left.
Headline
Grand Canyon "Celebration of Art" - Sept. 8 - 15, 2012
© Rick Wheeler, 2012
For the 4th consecutive year I've been invited to participate in the Grand Canyon "Celebration of Art" exhibit, held at the Kolb Studio, located at Grand Canyon National Park's south rim. Dates are September 8 -15, 2012. The event culminates with a Buyer's Preview on Friday, Sept. 14 and an Opening & Reception on Sat. Sept 15. This fundraising event is to establish an art venue to display Grand Canyon National Park's and Grand Canyon Association's extensive permanent art collection. For more information about this event please visit www.grandcanyon.org Image: "Late in the Day" scratchboard/watercolor; 18 x 24 in.; will go on exhibit Sept. 14 (to see a larger version of this image, please visit the "Scratchboard" page).

Headline
International Society of Scratchboard Artists
© Rick Wheeler
The first annual International Society of Scratchboard Artists exhibit is July 1-31, 2012, at the ARThouse Gallery, Glen Ellen, California. The two juried selections of my work that will be on display are "Merced River, Light Rain," shown here, and "Cooper's Hawk," shown on "Scratchboard" page above. For more info about the event and ISSA, please visit www.scratchboardsociety.com

Headline

Portfolio samples are presented as "thumbnails" (left sidebar above). Simply click on an image to view a larger version. All images are owned by the clients indicated, or myself. Please respect all copyrights and ownership and do not use these images under any circumstances, without permission. There is NO FREE CLIP ART on the website.

Contact: If you would like to discuss a project, request a quote, or have any questions or comments, please contact me via email at rickwheeler_1@msn.com or by phone at 520.405.9342.


Bio - Class Schedule - Client List

Education/Experience: Originally from California, I have lived in the Four Corners region of the desert southwest since 1994. I have been an illustrator and graphic designer for more than 25 years. I hold a B.A. degree in Fine Art, with a minor in Integrative Studies from Prescott College, Arizona. I also hold an Associate of Arts degree in Graphic Design. Part of my education included classes at the San Francisco Art Institute and the San Francisco Academy of Art University. At the S.F.A.I., where I was awarded a scholarship to attend, the focus was on drawing and painting. At the Academy of Art, it was illustration. Each school had a distinctive approach to education, the S.F.A.I. emphasizing "fine art", the Academy "commercial art". Both approaches proved valuable, and helped broaden my perspectives into the art world.

Two teachers I would like to mention who heavily influenced my art education are figurative painter, Kent Rupp, who, as a master draftsman, taught me everything I know about drawing, and Wally Hedrick (1928-2003) - an iconic figure in the San Francisco art scene and "beat era" of the 1950's - who by example taught me the value of living true to one's vision and ideals.

Although much of my work in recent years has been for the National Parks and Monuments and the outdoor adventure/eco-tourism industry, I have completed projects for a variety of clients with varied needs. These include book & magazine publishers, educational institutions, technology companies, the wine industry, arts organizations, non-profits, as well as other design firms and advertising agencies.
 
Classes/Workshops for 2012-13:

1) Mentor, Prescott College, Tucson, AZ. This is an ongoing mentorship program, where I teach drawing, painting, and illustration.

2) "Quick Draw" - Art Institute at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum; This 3-day workshop is offered 3 times in the Winter/Spring 2012-2013:  1) Nov. 30-Dec. 1-2, 2012   2) Feb. 1-3, 2013 and April 5-7, 2013. All 3 workshops run Fri-Sat-Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. This workshop is intended to help students learn to capture a quick study, with the flora and fauna of the Museum grounds as subject matter. We'll explore drawing small (5x7 or 6x9) using pencil and pen & ink, as well as capturing light and shadow using ink washes and/or watercolor. The class is intended for beginners to intermediate students. To learn more visit, please visit www.desertmuseum.org/arts

3) "Scratchboard/Watercolor" - Tubac, Arizona. Every Wednesday, January-April, 2013. Dates TBD.Class meets at Beads of Tubac, 9 a.m.-Noon. $45/per class (all-day session optional: $75). For registration please visit www.beadsoftubac.com

4) "Acrylic Painting" - Tubac, AZ. Every Wednesday, January-April, 2013. Dates TBD. Class meets at Beads of Tubac, 1-4pm. Landscape and wildlife as subject matter. $45/per class (all-day session optional: $75). For more information please visit www.beadsoftubac

5) "Photoshop for Artists" - Tubac, AZ, 2013. Time and dates TBD. A computer class for the artist who wants to maximize quality of an image in order to make scanned or photographed art work suitable for website presentation or digital printing, aka, giclee (gee-clay) printing. We'll be using Adobe Photoshop and/or Photoshop Elements. Class is for PC and Mac users. Laptops required - $90. For more information, please visit www.beadsoftubac.com

6) "Scratchboard/Watercolor" - Art Association of Jackson Hole, Jackson Hole, WY. 3-day workshop. July 23-25, 2012. Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Please visit www.artassociation.org for more information and registration.



Work in Progress, Recent Projects, Upcoming Events:
1) 4th Annual Grand Canyon "Celebration of Art" - September 8 - 15, 2012 - Plein Air painting along the south rim, along with studio work will be displayed at the Kolb Studio, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ, beginning Friday, Sept. 14. This is a fundraiser for Grand Canyon's plan to build a museum for displaying their extensive permanent art collection for public viewing. For more information about this event please visit www.grandcanyon.org

2) ) One-person show - Arroyo Gallery, Santa Fe, NM. October 12-November 7, 2012.

3) "International Society of Scratchboard Artists" - Two of my scratchboard/watercolor pieces have been jury selected to the first annual ISSA art exhibit. The show runs July 1-31, 2012, at the ARThouse Gallery, Glen Ellen, California. For more info, please visit www.scratchboardsociety.com
 

Partial Client List:
Abercrombie & Kent/Sheri Griffith Expeditions, ABsolute Pilates, Arches National Park, Association of Partners for Public Lands, A/M Studios, Canyonlands Advertising, Canyonlands Natural History Association, Castle Creek Winery, Cobalt Fine Arts Gallery, Country Jam USA, Environmental Technology Center/Sonoma State University, Glen Ellen Winery, Glacier National Park, Grand Canyon Association, Hovenweep National Monument, Joshua Tree National Park, JW Morris Winery, Karin Newby Gallery, KC Publications, Kodiak Convention & Visitors Bureau, Men's Journal, Mesa Verde National Park, Moab Folk Festival (Canyonlands Advertising), Moab Music Festival, National Geographic Society, National Geographic School Publishing, National Parks Conservation Association, Optical Coating Lab, Inc.(OCLI), Oregon Zoo (Portland), Patagonia, Pinnacles National Monument, Red Cliffs Desert Reserve, Retail Packaging Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Santa Rita Lodge, Save Our Wild Salmon Coalition, Sequoia Natural History Association, Tucson Musicians Museum, U.S. Marine Corps (Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Division), USS Arizona Memorial National Park, Virgin River Land Preservation Association, Windsor Vineyards, Yosemite Association, Zion National Park & Zion Natural History Association.


Memberships & other sites where my work can be seen:
Artists for Conservation (5-year member) 
www.natureartists.com
Guild of Natural Science Illustrators (16-year member) www.science-art.com/rickarts

Society of Illustrators (3-year member) www.societyillustrators.org
International Society of Scratchboard Artists (first-year member) www.scratchboardsociety.com

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum www.desertmuseum.org
where I'll be teaching in my sixth year at the Art Institute wing of the museum January-April, 2012 (see class listing above).


Gallery Representation:
Seeking additional gallery representation. Inquiries welcome.
Currently representing my work:

Overlook Gallery - Moab, UT (435) 259-3861

Arroyo Gallery - Santa Fe, NM (505) 988-1002
Email: info@arroyo@santafe.com
www.arroyosantafe.com

Zforrest Gallery - Tubac, AZ (520) 398-9009
www.zforrest.com
Email: info@zforrest.com
Mailing: PO Box 4071
Tubac, AZ 85646

In recent years, my work has been exhibited in Arts for the Parks, Grand Canyon 'Celebration of Art' (4 consecutive years), Paint the Parks, Zion National Park's 'Century of Sanctuary' (Juror's Award), and a number of Guild of Natural Science Illustrators member's exhibits, among others.

My work is in the permanent collection of Grand Canyon National Park, St. George Art Museum (Utah), Sonoma State University (California), as well as several private collections throughout the U.S. and Europe.

Please revisit, as I update the site frequently. Thank you.