Bill Wilkinson

 

The Artist
Born in Montreal in 1950, Bill grew up with a passion for sketching, painting and fabricating art objects. He worked for years as a commercial photographer, designer and illustrator, but all the while painting in his spare time. After studying under various Westcoast artists over the years and then experiencing a pivotal painting trip to Italy in 2001, he decided it was time to devote all his energies to painting full-time. He now lives and paints in Tsawwassen, B.C.
Over the years, Bill's painting style has evolved using various media, from watercolor, acrylic and oil, to mixed media. Currently, he feels he has found the right expression with mixed media on panel. His influences are varied, the most significant of whom are Georges Braque, Jackson Pollack and Hans Hoffman. He is an Active Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and has recently won an award for his mixed media work."

Genesis SOLD Mixed Media on Panel 36 x 36 inches

Tuple Pattern Mixed Media on Panel 36 x 36 inches

Ordinates Mixed Media on Panel 36 x 36 inches

Tablet V Mixed Media on Panel 48 x 36 inches

Sparke Mixed Media on Panel 36 x 36 inches

"Transition" June 9th to June 24th, 2007
There is enough familiar understructure throughout my work to allow me a great deal of room to explore when painting. I love to work with the surface that presents itself to me after the plaster has cured and been sanded, the metalwork exposed. As I become more and more conversant with the challenges presented to me I develop new ideas and directions more easily.
Looking over this group of paintings one can see the transitions: in colour, changes from cool to warm and dark to bright; orbs appear and fade; lettering evolves through big monoliths to simple patterns.
It is important to allow oneself room to experiment; continuing to refine … but not keeping too tight a rein.

Tribal Mixed Media on Panel 36 x 36 inches

Two Cultures Mixed Media on Panel 24 x 48 inches

Thither Mixed Media on Panel 36 x 36 inches

Voyageur Mixed Media on Panel 48 x 36 inches

Riff Mixed Media on Panel 12 x 36 inches

Leslunes Mixed Media on Panel 12 x 36 inches

Answer II Mixed Media on Panel 12 x 12 inches	Answer I Mixed Media on Panel 12 x 12 inches

Dangle II Mixed Media on Panel 36 x 12 inches	Tablet VI Mixed Media on Panel 12 x 12 inches

The Art
The major theme in my work is the struggle between randomness and control that permeates everyday existence. In my paintings I try to give these universal powers equal billing; controlling certain elements of the work but welcoming the random factors that inevitably appear.
When I create, I endeavour to have an unfettered joyful experience. The images in my paintings sometimes arrive clearly in my dreams. At other times they are roughly planned or just emerge as the paint goes down. Although I begin each piece with a structure, I like to leave myself totally open to co-create with what Chaos throws at me. It is an important part of my process.
A recent group of my paintings, the Dialogue series, contains a kind of symbolic or encrypted language. The paintings convey the sense that knowledge, wisdom and perhaps personal guidance is at hand, but it is not readily accessible. Interpretation requires our contemplation, our engagement. Can we access the message?
In my paintings, I strive to illuminate the notion that while certain understanding may be elusive it is perhaps only momentarily beyond our grasp.

Snippets Mixed Media on Canvas 24 x 24 inches

OS 143 Mixed Media on Panel 24 x 36 inches

Koan Mixed Media on Panel 12 x 36 inches

Aiden Mixed Media on Panel 12 x 12 inches	Rise Mixed Media on Panel 12 x 12 inches

Code Mixed Media on Panel 24 x 24 inches	The Edge Mixed Media on Panel 24 x 24 inches

Boundaries Mixed Media on Panel 36 x 36 inches	Evermore Mixed Media on Panel 36 x 36 inches

Tablet IV Mixed Media on Panel 36 x 36 inches	Whole Mixed Media on Panel 36 x 36 inches

Tumult Mixed Media on Panel 36 x 36 inches	Ion Mixed Media on Panel 36 x 36 inches

Destiny Mixed Media on Panel 24 x 24 inches	Zenith Mixed Media on Panel 48 x 36 inches

The Process
Prior to applying paint, a lot of work goes into preparing the foundation. First, fortified plaster is carefully applied to a mahogany panel. Hammered metal and organic materials such as tree bark or found objects are then shaped and embedded into the wet medium.
Following a curing period ranging from hours to days, the plaster is etched and sanded by hand allowing the hidden materials to emerge. Exposed metal surfaces start to reflect light or softly fade depending on the viewing angle. Multiple layers of semi-transparent paint washes are then applied to achieve the desired illumination and depth.
The last few layers are carefully polished to create a surface that, while appearing rough and textured, is actually sensuously smooth and soft.

To View Artwork that Bill Wilkinson has sold click HERE