Gary Whitley, B.A., A.F.C.A.
![Gary Whitley, Artist](/uploads/4/7/5/3/4753519/published/gary-geronimo.jpg?1721328618)
(One of my other passions)
Born: Edmonton, Alberta
Education: B.A., (History), University of Victoria
Gary has been a full time artist for over 45 years and is an Associate Signature Member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, a past Elected Member of the Society of Canadian Artists and a past Associate Member of the Oil Painters of America.
Gary regards his paintings as visual representations of our times and paints with the local colors of our environment so they are immediatedly recognizeable. He strives to pick subject matter that would bring back individual memories to the viewer of a time and place. His mountain landscapes are a result of hours in the saddle in the local area of Vernon and also from years of riding Endurance (long distance races) all over, B.C., Alberta and the occasional trip south of the border. His marine scenes come from living in Campbell River, Vancouver Island, B.C. for 6 years. He also enjoys painting portaits of individual flowers and blossoms from his wife's floral garden, but he only engages in gardening by growing things you can eat - vegetables. He has a plaque hanking on a wall of their patio that states, "Gardening is cheaper than therapy and you get tomatoes". There is something truly relaxing and theraputic about puttering in your garden.
His paintings have been exhibited in commercial galleries from Victoria B.C. east to Montreal, Que. His paintings have made their way to the UK, many European Countries, S. Africa, India, Australia, China, Japan and across both the United States and Canada.
He has also participated in Cultural Exchange Shows in China:
2017 Cultural Exchange Exhibition, Canada-China Friendship, Nanjing, China
2016 Pacific Rim Art Exchange Exhibition, Shanghai, China
2015 Pacific Rim Cultural Exchange Art Exhibition, Tianjin, China.
Plus a Cultural Exchange Show in Taipei City, Taiwan
2016 Group Exhibition of Artist from North America, Taipei City, Taiwan
Gary's paintings hang in many Law Firms and Accounting Firms throughout Canada plus in corporate collections - Sony Inc., Innis & Gun, and The Bryton Marine Goup, which consists of 5 different boat companies, incuding Kingfisher Boats in Vernon B.C.
Awards
2019 1st Place, Arrowsmith Chapter, FCA, Fall Show
2019 Honorable Mention, Arrowsmith Chapter, FCA, Spring Show
2012 Winner – Innis & Gunn National Packaging Competition
2012 Associate Membership Oil Painters of America
2011 Elected Status, Society of Canadian Artists, Ontario, Canada
2011 Award of Excellence Triptych 2011, Penticton, B.C.
2010 Bronze Metal Award, TNSC National Open FCA Show, Kamloops, B.C.
2010 Best in Show, North Okanagan FCA Chapter Show, Vernon, B.C.
2010 A.F.C.A. status with the Federation of Canadian Artists (again)
2009 Award of Excellence FCA Small Salon Show Vancouver B.C.
2009 Award of Excellence FCA Chapters Show, Vancouver, B.C.
1986 A.F.C.A. status with the Federation of Canadian Artists,
1981 Best Watercolour Stockman’s Heritage Show