About the Artist
 In the background are partial images of three 36×48 paintings I did as a commission for the Dwight Foster Library in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. |
Jan GilkeyFort Atkinson, Wisconsin Original oil paintings |
Artist Statement
Original Oil Paintings
Animals and Landscapes
2023 Show schedule:
July 8-9 Art Fair Off the Square, booth 63 between the Capitol & Monona Terrace, Madison
August 19-31. Jan Gilkey at the Hoard. A one woman show at Fort Atkinson’s Hoard Historical Museum.
November 5-17 Black Hawk Artist Show, Hoard Historical Museum, Fort Atkinson, WI
November 11-12 Winter Art Fair Off the Square, Monona Terrace Convention Center, Madison
PAINTING THEORY AND METHODS.
I have been working more and more on landscapes–particularly concentrating on color and value. I love the colors act. They push and pull each other. I am working with palette knives–experimenting with different surfaces.
Because animal art requires convincing detail, I do use photographs–always my own photographs–as reference material. I consider my photography part of the artistic process. I organize sections, groups or whole photographs into arrangements of light and dark shapes. I don’t transfer images, but draw directly on the canvas with a paintbrush or hard charcoal. I believe free-hand drawing is essential to learning the subject well enough to paint it decisively–and, hopefully, to invite the character of the animal to show through. I am indebted to friends who raise dairy cattle, sheep and chickens for allowing me to frequently photograph their animals. I photographed the American White Pelicans from my home on Lake Koshkonong. My animal paintings are always founded in part on the direct observations I make from watching the animals during visits.
Although I remain devoted to painting animals, I’m drawn more and more into experimentating with landscapes using palette knives–small spatulas of various shapes. The paint is pressed on to the canvas or wooden support rather than brushed on. I try to create paintings that put me in a place I love.
I focus on the artistic elements: line, shape, value, color, texture and edges. In Ewe Viewing, for example, I’m not so much painting sheep as I am painting textures, hard and soft edges, and value contrasts. I try to make the brushstrokes and the build-up of paint important aspects of my work.
I feel the work is successful if solid drawing, specific shapes, strong value arrangement, color harmony, varied textures and sensitive edge work combine to create an intriguing composition.
All of my works are originals. I don’t do reproductions except in personal cards. I paint correctly–fat over lean–and use archival materials so that my works will be durable. I generally use linen or wooden supports and high quality paints made by Utrecht, Rembrandt, Gamblin and Winsor & Newton.