Type Of Business:
Art gallery
Expertise:
Watercolor painting
Major Product/SVS:
Creation and sale of art, including illustrations, watercolors, oil paintings, prints, commissioned art, and greeting cards
Hobbies/Sports:
Playing golf; Gardening; Creating art in her studio; Spending time with her family
Education Degrees:
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration, Rhode Island School of Design (1958)
Affiliations Awards:
Copley Society; New England Watercolor Society; Cape Cod Art Association; The Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, FL; Arts & Humanities Council of Charlotte County, FL; The American Artists Professional League; American Society of Marine Artists
Throughout the duration of your career, what was the one highlight that stood out the most?:
The highlights of her career include being one of 15 artists who was selected to paint an egg for the White House Easter Egg Hunt during President Ronald Reagan's second term. After the eggs were displayed on the White House grounds, they were displayed in the Smithsonian Museum, where they remain to this day. Another memorable highlight for Ms. Wyckoff was being one of 100 artists whose work was chosen from among 12,000 entries for inclusion in the 2005 Arts for the Parks juried exhibition in Jackson, Wyo.
Charity:
Annual Scholarship Donor, Hyannis Rotary Club; Annual Scholarship Donor, Rhode Island School of Design; Art Donor, Karen Wyckoff Rein in Sarcoma Foundation; Art Donor, Heart Association, Hospice and Various other Charitable Organizations
Number Of Years In Profession:
50
Number Of Years In Current Position:
22
What Does He/She Attribute Success To:
She attributes her success to hard work, diligence and excellent marketing. She credits her first husband, who set up a five-year plan for her to follow, allowing her to establish her career as a marketable fine artist.
Why did you become involved in your profession or industry?:
She became involved in her profession through her natural talent and love of art. When she was four years old, Ms. Wyckoff began tearing blank pages out of her parents' books to use as drawing paper. Her father, who was artistically talented himself, realized that if they wanted to preserve their library, they would have to get their daughter some better art supplies. Both her parents encouraged Ms. Wyckoff to continue writing and drawing.
Extended Bio Profile:
Ms. Wyckoff's love and passion is watercolor painting. Saying, "I was born with 'art' in my blood," she fondly recalls the sense of excitement she felt during the hour-long art class she had each week in grammar school. She received a great deal of encouragement from her father, who had attended art school, as well as from her teachers. Ms. Wyckoff won her first award for her painting when she was 11 years old, and after winning several additional awards during her teens, decided to study illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design. Ms. Wyckoff subsequently worked as an illustrator for books and magazines and held an advertising post for Liberty Mutual Insurance. Nevertheless, she found herself increasingly drawn to subjects in nature and the challenges of watercolor painting; thus, she came to specialize in realistic depictions of tranquil landscapes, seascapes, people and animals. Her career spans more than 50 years and her works can be found on the walls of private homes and major corporations. Her art has also been published in several books and periodicals. She has had her work showcased in numerous exhibitions and galleries, with venues including the Karol B. Wyckoff Gallery, Left Bank Gallery, Sailor's Valentine Gallery, Cape Cod Museum of Art, Powers Gallery, Savannah Art Gallery, Cape Cod Conservatory, World Trade Center, Smithsonian Museum, Wisconsin Maritime Museum, White House, Cultural Center of Cape Cod, Art for the Parks, Coos Art Museum, Hudson Valley Art Association and Allied Artists of America. Ms. Wyckoff donates yearly art scholarships to the Hyannis Rotary and Rhode Island School of Design, both of which gave her scholarships when she was in need of them. For the past 26 years, she has also donated a painting to a hospice in memory of her children's deceased father. In addition, Ms. Wyckoff donates framed prints to raise money for Rein in Sarcoma in St. Paul, Minn., a worthy organization that provides information and support relating to a little-known type of cancer. Ms. Wyckoff recently had a painting accepted into the 15th American Society of Marine Artists juried national exhibition, which is scheduled to travel to various museums around the country through the end of July 2013.
Position Responsibilities and Duties:
Working on projects seven days per week; Loaning her work out in travel exhibits; Participating in various local competitions
Awards/Honors:
VIP, Worldwide Who's Who (2012); Award, Copley Society; Award, Naples Art Association; Award, New England Watercolor Society; Multiple Awards, Cape Cod Art Association; Multiple Awards, The Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda, FL
Where Will You Be In 5 Years:
In five years, Ms. Wyckoff envisions continuing to create, paint and market her artwork.