Artist’s Statement:

 

It’s All About the Light!

 

The love of light is my inspiration and informs all the subjects I choose. As a colorist at heart, I make paintings that have been critically noted for their ability to render light; giving them an almost palpable sense of time, realism, depth, and volume.

 

I work primarily in colored pencil on a variety of surfaces and in widely different techniques from ‘tight’ to ‘loose’ yet always with a proclivity toward realism. For me there is no perfect or ‘always’ surface or method. The surface I choose for a particular project depends - on the subject matter, the effect or texture I want and sometimes just what I feel will work. One reviewing author wrote of my work  - "the subject matter and composition always leaves the viewer with a visual mystery - what's behind the door or just out of the field of view?" When I conceive an idea or plan a composition I do attempt a bit of mystery to keep the viewer engaged in the ‘story’. I hold that once the obvious subject has been taken in there should always be something left suggested rather than stated to help the viewer get beyond the what of the piece to the why.

 

I always seem to be pushing the technical envelope of my medium. A frequent comment made by gallery viewers of these paintings is, "I can't believe that's colored pencil! How did he do that?" I enjoy explaining.

 

My works rely on strong composition and design, contrasts, and subtle atmospheric perspective techniques learned from my mentors, among whom I count my earliest mentor, Laura Grande, my artist friends ( Leslie Born, Laura Wambsgans, Lorelle Miller and Ernie Dollman), Artist Michael Ohm Untiedt, and masters Joseph Mendez and Frank LaLumia. My work has always been strongly influenced by illustrator/artists such as Pyle, Rockwell and Wyeth (both N.C. and Andrew although lately I've been developing a better appreciation of Jamie's work).

 

Art critic Brian Sherwin commented on my work, stating, “John Ursillo’s colored pencil pieces are absolutely brilliant. Every colored pencil piece I’ve observed is strengthened by John’s ability to capture light and texture.” Sherwin added, “John Ursillo explores what many describe as a difficult medium with apparent ease…a true master.”

 

The range of subject matter in my work has been rather broad: still life, landscapes, the American Civil War, seascapes, ships, mountains, deserts, people…almost every genre one can put on a surface. Maybe one day I'll get so passionate about some one subject that I will paint nothing else. But I hope not...there's just too much out there given to us to work with.

 

I have over 30 years teaching experience with private instruction, small groups of artists and in workshops in my own studio and local teaching studios where I have had a loyal following of long-term students. Over the years many of my students have gone on to become professional artists and a number of them have become award winning amateurs. It is my goal to share my knowledge and skills...my legacy...passing what I have received to another generation. The 'Ah-hah!' moment when a student gets it is the most satisfying experience an instructor can have. Maybe that student is on the way to becoming an artist and not just a painter...there's a difference.

 

 

 

Curriculum Vitae

I began my art career at the age of eleven with three years of private study in various art media under Laura Grande, the prominent Massachusetts pastel artist. Since then I have worked continuously, furthering my art education with classes, workshops, seminars, and much self-study. I continue to pursue my life-long interests in archaeology, the earth sciences, genealogy and history. The knowledge thus gained produces a final product that has been called 'authentic'.

 

My professional career as an Army officer, engineer and artist has allowed me to live in a number of very interesting and artistically-inspiring places across this great country: Alabama, Maryland, Colorado, New Jersey, New York, California and Washington (Whidbey Island). 

 

I continue to take an active role in local, regional and national artist organizations such as:

 

Colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA) -  National: Life Member, Signature Member, Ten-year International Exhibit Merit Award

Colored Pencil Society of America (CPSA) -  Regional: Seattle and New England Chapters,

American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA) - Exhibiting Artist

Santa Clarita (California) Artists' Association (Founding Member and Past President).

 

AWARDS and HONORS:

 

"Colored Pencil Treasures from Around the Globe", Volume 2, February 2014

CPSA, (Colored Pencil Society of America) Signature Membership - : In 2011 I was awarded coveted Signature Member status in the Colored Pencil Society of America. Approximately 5% of the Society’s membership of nearly 2000 have received this honor.

CPSA, Guest Workshop Instructor, Colored Pencil Society of America: In 2012, one of the two Workshop leaders at the CPSA National Convention in Covington, Kentucky.

CPSA Award of Distinction, 23rd International Exhibition, July - August 2015 - "Hydrangea-scape #2: Last Blush".

CPSA, Ten-year Merit Award: Presented for acceptance in ten CPSA International Exhibitions, August 2018.

CPSA, Five-year Merit Award: Presented for acceptance in five CPSA International Exhibitions, August 2013.

CPSA, "ArtSpectations" (2014, 2015), On-line Juried Show: Honorable Mention in Signature Member Division

Island County Fair 2010: Fine Arts Division, Professional Category, Best in Category Blue Ribbon, August 2010; 

Island County Fair 2011: Fine Arts Division, Professional Category, Best Colored Pencil/Pastels Blue Ribbon, August 2011

Whidbey Island Fair 2013: Superintendent's Award, People's Choice First Place

Whidbey Island Fair 2014: Best in Show, Blue Ribbon - Professional Division, People's Choice First Place

Whidbey Island Fair 2015: Best Drawing - Professional Division, People's Choice Second Place

Lifetime Achievement Award - Santa Clarita Artists Association, Santa Clarita, California

Masters Designation - Santa Clarita Artists Association, Santa Clarita, California

 

RECENT SHOWS, Group:

 

(JURIED, TOURING)  American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA) 17th Annual National Exhibition 2016-2018

(JURIED)  CPSA International Exhibitions: 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 (Five Year Merit Award), 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 & 2018 (Ten-year Merit Award)

(INVITATION)  CPSA, "Small Works of Great Magnitude": 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016

(JURIED)  CPSA Seattle District Chapter 207, "That's Colored Pencil?", May-June 2015, Tsuga Gallery, Bothell WA.

(JURIED)  American Society of Marine Artists (ASMA) 16th Annual National Exhibition 2014-2015

(OPEN)      CPSA, "ArtSpectations", On-line Show, Honorable Mention in Signature Member Division: 2014, 2015

(OPEN)      CPSA Seattle District Chapter 207, "Falling for Colored Pencil", September 2013, Gallery North, Edmonds, WA

(JURIED)  CP Magazine, 14th Annual Members' On-line Show, Finalist, July 2013

(OPEN)      CPSA, Seattle District Chapter 207, "Drawn to Colored Pencil", June-July 2013, Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellevue, WA

(JURIED)  CPSA, Seattle District Chapter 207, "Twentieth Anniversary", October 2011, Semantics Gallery, Edmonds, WA

(OPEN)      Artists of South Whidbey Annual Summer Show - July 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

(OPEN)      Whidbey Island Fair, August 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015

 

SHOWS, Solo:

 

"Colored Pencil in the Old Master Tradition", The Chiropractic Zone, Bayview, Whidbey Island, March - June 2014

"Schooners of Puget Sound", The Braeburn Restaurant, Langley, Washington - December 2011

"Artist of the Month", Sweet Mona’s, Langley, Washington - June 2010

“J. Ursillo Colored Pencil Retrospective”, The Everett Art Annex, Everett, Washington - February 2010

“Lone Canary Presents: John Ursillo”, Lone Canary Winery, Spokane, Washington - May 2009

 

PUBLICATIONS:

 

Please see the "Publicity and Publications" Page of this website.