CHARLES WYSOCKI

Love, patriotism, celebration and the good old days are vibrant descriptives of the whimsical and spiritual art of Charles Wysocki. He is a prime example of the "American Dream".

A first generation American of Polish heritage, Wysocki was born in Detroit in 1928. He describes the early years in Detroit as "tough times" and says, "I didn't have a perfect childhood. Nobody does because it's not a perfect world. I did have a wonderful childhood because I made it a wonderful world."

The community that Charles grew up in consisted mostly of immigrants who took great pride and pleasure in celebrating the traditions of their homeland. These joyous opportunities and celebrations offered by American freedom became the theme of what Charles would remember and portray in his artwork.

Wysocki's father never liked the idea of Charles becoming a painter. He wanted him to be a mathematician. Charles graduated from Technical High School in 1946, enlisted in the Army and did his duty as a sign painter. In 1954, utilizing the GI Bill, Charles enrolled at the Art Center School of Design in Los Angeles. After graduating, he returned to Detroit and worked as a commercial illustrator. Within a few years he decided to return to the sunshine and palm trees and make California his home. Shortly thereafter he met and married Wlizabeth Lawrence.

In 1960, during a family vacation in New England, Elizabeth urged him to change career direction from commercial to fine art, and, with her steady encouragement, Charles began to paint. He took some of his work to a gallery and was offered a one-man show. Within a month all 40 paintings submitted were sold.

Wysocki portrays cheerful, positive feelings in his work. He always paints clean snow, clean fields, clean skies ... not broken-down barns and buildings. He says, "There is a positiveness to neat and clean. It is idealistic."

Wysocki has many "patriotic credits" to his name. He has been designing and painting an award-winning annual Americana calendar since 1971. He contributed his painting, 'The White House Fourth of July Picnic", to the presidential art collection in 1983 during the presidency of Ronald Reagan. In 1987 he was awarded the Medal of Honor from the Daughters of the American Revolution for artwork that "exemplifies our heritage and for the values that have made our country strong". The Richard Nixon Library's exhibit of Wysocki's work drew thousands of visitors. Included in this display was his commissioned piece entitled "The Young Nixons", and his open edition print, "Home Sweet Home."

US ART named Charles Wysocki one of the top ten most influential artists since he first entered the print market in 1979.

Charles Wysocki died on July 29, 2002 at the age of 73. Ironically, this was also the day of his 42nd wedding anniversary.