Garry Wheeler

Biography

My name is Garry Scott Wheeler and I am a self-taught, multi-award winning international abstract acrylic artist, author and entrepreneur from southwest Florida. The heart and soul of my paintings emanates from vividly seeing colors and shapes in my daily life and from the adventures and inspiration that I have found from my travels to over 100 different countries around the world. Fans of my work have told me that looking at my art is comparable to lying on their backs, looking up at the clouds and trying to interpret the shapes that they see. I don’t know about you, but that sounds like a whole lot of fun to me!

What’s your background?

I am a self-taught abstract artist who dabbled in painting as a hobby for many years. My demanding career in high tech companies prevented me from having the time to become a professional artist. That changed in 2017 when I retired and embarked on an 2 1/2 year trip around the world with my wife. The trip inspired me to dedicate myself to painting when I returned to the U.S. By the end of 2020, I had created enough work to participate in many art shows and to launch my own art business and online store in earnest. 

What does it mean to you to win the Collectors Art Prize? 

An award like this helps to validate my work. I believe all artists doubt their own work as soon as the paint dries on the canvas. This award inspires me to continue to create and to make my work broadly available. I am looking for more exposure and I am hoping the award will also provide for that.

What do you think is the role of art in the world today? 

Art today serves the same purpose that it has always has. It entertains, it soothes, it emotes passion and curiosity, it brightens a persons' day and it adds life and energy to any home, office or public space. The give and take exchange between what the artist meant to convey with their work and the viewer’s interpretation of it, makes for a very enjoyable and rewarding experience.

What would it be if you could change one thing about the art world?

I would like for children to be more exposed to art hands on at an early age. It seems that when schools need to save money, they cut art programs. This is shortsighted. A well rounded education will include art and music. I can tell you first hand that art and music have stayed with me my entire life while many of the other facets of education have long since been forgotten. 

What are your most significant professional achievements? 

Being chosen as a featured artist several times, exhibiting internationally, serving as the President of the Art Council of Southwest Florida and selling my work to strangers.

What do you wish to tell viewers about your work that might not come out explicitly? What do you hope to inspire with your artwork?

Most of my work is very bright and colorful for a reason. My motivation comes from my travels to over 100 countries in my lifetime and from the adventures that I have taken part in. Just since turning 58 years old, I have skydived in Fiji, gone on an African safari and seen the big 6, crawled through the Pyramids, repelled waterfalls in Costa Rica, swam in a shark cage in Hawaii, ziplined over the rainforest in Panama, paraglided off the cliffs in Madeira, watched the sunrise from a hot air balloon in Cappadocia, Turkey, observed the stars from the Dark Sky Reserve in New Zealend, hiked the Rainbow Mountains in Peru and even worked at an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I hope my work creates a sense of curiosity and wonder that can only be satisfied by living life like you really mean it.

What advice would you give to the upcoming generation of artists? 

Paint for yourself and not for others. Escape by immersing yourself in your work. Learn from others and expirement. There are tons of free online videos available these days. Find something that you are passionate about and express your feelings in your work. If your work doesn’t sell, paint something even better over it!

In what direction would you like to see your career go in the next five years? 

I aspire to follow in the footsteps of other late bloomers in life such as Colonel Sanders, Grandma Moses, Paul Cezanne and Frank McCourt. I don’t want to sit around and allow myself to get old. My goal is pretty simple. I would like to sell enough of my work to allow me to continue to create without the need for acquiring additional storage space.

Country United States

Website www.garryscottwheeler.art