Ron's Bio

Ron Wilson - Bio February 2009

BODY OF WORK: Realism and impressionism in pencil, pen and ink, watercolour and oil. Portraits, figures, wildlife, landscapes and marine subjects.

EARLY BACKGROUND: I was born of British parents in South Africa in 1939. I painted part-time working full-time for the South African Broadcasting Corporation (much like the CBC) for over 30 years -- first as a radio announcer and later as the Head of TV1(English).

CANADA: In June 1992, I moved to Canada with my wife and daughter and turned to painting professionally. In 1996 we became Canadian citizens.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: In the year 2000 I showed wildlife work at the Return of the Orcas Festival at Roche Harbor and later at The Whale Museum in Friday Harbor. The San Juan Gallery in Friday Harbor Washington State exhibited my work in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

EDUCATION: I graduated with a BA degree from the University of South Africa in 1969 and received private tuition in painting from Giuseppe Cattaneo, senior lecturer in fine arts at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg; with additional private tuition from Dino Paravano of Tucson and Paul Bosman of Sedona, Arizona, USA. I admire the work of Bill Reese, Sergei Bongart, Ovanes Berberian, Christopher Blossom, David Curtis, Kevin MacPherson, Sargent, Stobart, Zorn, Sorolla, and the Group of Seven.

LECTURES/TEACHING: As "visiting artist" I taught art at elementary and secondary schools in Canada such as The Princess Royal School and Forest Park School in Nanaimo; and the Davisville Public School in Toronto; in addition to teaching my own classes from a studio at the Kirkwood Academy in Nanaimo, Vancouver Island. Currently I give art workshops and demonstrations and have started publishing art in the form of Giclee reproductions and cards.

PUBLICATIONS: Book : "Directory of South African Artists" by Grania Ogilvie, published by Everard Read 1988, the USA magazine "Wildlife Art News" November/December 1992 edition, and more recent press articles.