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BIOGRAPHY
The Canadian wilderness and its wildlife inspire an active fascination
for this Ontario born artist.
His endless compassion for realistically portraying nature's
beauty began at an early age. A great deal of time was spent consuming
the sights and sounds of the world around him, later recording them with
pencil and paper. Since then Jake has established a personal style of painting,
which has become accepted by collectors of fine art in Canada and the United
States and Europe. Today Jake maintains a strong desire for capturing the
serenity of our wilderness, through his talent and dedication.
In earlier years the artist worked in pencil, pen and ink, and
oils, later painting primarily in acrylics. After several years of developing
his style, Jake's work took on a more realistic approach, which to this
day he continues to nurture and refine. Strict attention is given to each
new image through the careful use of colour, lighting and mood. "I want
the viewer to be emotionally involved with the scene, and be given the
feeling of really being there," says the artist about his work.
Being an avid supporter of many conservation groups, Jake's
art has raised thousands of dollars towards the preservation of wildlife
and environment. His work has been both popular and sought after at fund
raising auctions and galleries across Canada. It is through this popularity
that Ducks Unlimited, Canada recently awarded him the honour of being their
1993 National Artist.
Residing with his wife in Southern Ontario, Jake continues to
seek inspiration that the Canadian wilderness is so generous in providing.
It is through his creations that the viewer can share in the artist's vision
and evoke an awareness of the beauty surrounding us, which is ours to enjoy
and protect.
1975 Began working with pencil, pen & ink renderings of mainly architectural
themes
1979 Began landscape painting in oils Sold first original painting
1980 Attended college of architecture
1987 Began publicly exhibiting original oils
1988 Two first place awards in Chrysler Canadian Wildlife competition
Published first limited edition print Began painting in acrylics
1989 Ducks Unlimited Sponsor print artist
1990 Travelled through Western Canada Published three limited edition
prints
1991 First one-man showing of original art and limited editions held
at Fireside Gallery, Kleinburg, Ontario Invited to compete in Wildlife
Habitat Canada stamp competition Ducks Unlimited Canada - Supplemental
Art Print Award Feature artist - Ontario federation of Anglers and Hunters
1992 Ducks Unlimited Canada - Supplemental Art Print Award Ducks Unlimited
- feature artist. Feature artist - Ontario Federation of Anglers
and Hunters, Received diploma of Commercial and Fine Art from Granton Institute
of Technology, Toronto, Ontario, Accepted to show in Buckhorn Wildlife
Festival, Buckhorn, Ontario
1993 Ducks Unlimited Canada "National Artist"
1994 Exclusive publishing contract signed with Buckhorn Fine Art in
Buckhorn, Ontario Invited to show at Prestige Gallery, Mississauga's "Original
Art Showcase"
