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A sense of
mystery and mood envelops the paintings of Phillip Wikoff. Rooted
in a love of
history and tradition, his work captures the architectural
and emotional richness of America's landscapes. Praised for his
historical detail and architectural realism, he is widely known for
intriguing paintings of historical sites enshrouded by winter's
snowbound silence.
Mr. Wikoff's paintings are
collected by individuals, corporations and institutions throughout the
United States, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Germany, Belgium, England
and Japan. The demand for his paintings is such that he has been
issuing limited-edition prints since 1983.
Raised on an Iowa farm, where he
cultivated his attachment to the land, Mr. Wikoff developed an interest
in art as a young boy. He attended the University of Delaware,
where he completed a B.S. degree in graphic design and advertising,
along with an equal number of credits in fine art. After
graduation, he continued his studies in a variety of areas, including
print-making, ceramics and architectural rendering. In addition to
forging a career as a painter, he has also worked as a graphic designer,
art director and illustrator.
This eclectic background has
equipped him with the versatility to view scenes and objects from many
perspectives, and to work in a variety of media. "I let every
subject determine its own medium," he says, "based on several
factors - the light, time of day, weather, season, or atmosphere.
A cold, hard day is an oil painting, but a dewy, soft spring morning is
a watercolor. The medium helps me capture a certain feeling."
Through the study of art history,
Mr. Wikoff has been strongly influenced by great American and European
artists, whether their works are realistic or abstract. The
dramatic use of light and the textures it creates is one of his unique
signatures, enhanced by the challenging dimensions of his works, some of
which are larger than 40 x 60 inches.
Mr. Wikoff has exhibited
throughout the country and won several awards, such as the New Castle
County Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year Award from 1986 to 1993, and
Best of Show in several prominent group shows. He has been chosen
to exhibit in shows at the Delaware Art Museum, The University of
Delaware, and the Society of Illustrators annual show in New York City.
Mr. Wikoff's works have been
commissioned by such companies and organizations as the DuPont Country
Club, the Bank of Delaware, The McDonald's LPGA Championship and the
American Fund for Dental Health. Devoted to the community that
surrounds his current home in Wilmington, Delaware, he has also donated
several of his paintings to the fund-raising efforts of many charities
including the American Cancer Society, the Leukemia Society, the
American Diabetes Association, and Girls Inc.
As an artist, Mr. Wikoff believes
he must always seek to grow by exploring new media, new subjects and new
ways to interpret the world around him. His dynamic compositions,
resplendent colors and excellent media technique assure that he will
continue to evolve as a bold presence in America's artistic landscape.
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