Jon Wildman
Artist Statement

The mysterious passion some artists leave on a canvas, sculpture or even, or even simple lined sketch has always intrigued me. Why do some people paint pictures, and others leave part of their soul on a piece? I have discovered that creativity originates in the primal part of the artist, the core of one’s being from which come hunger, breath and instinctive sense of the spiritual. I ask myself, “What can paint do?” rather than, “How do I paint?” I like the feeling of the panel against my fingers and often “finger paint”. I have moved away from canvas switching to rigid panel and abandoned gesso for the organic textures of Venetian plaster. The figure has become a recurring part of my compositions, and I assign priority to my intuition over reasoning. My intent is to convey subtle emotions and leave my presence on each piece.
Jon Wildman
Bio

The minister stops in the middle of his sermon and says to the small, blond boy who is zealously sketching on a piece of paper in the second pew, “You need to pay attention.” Jon Wildman sets the drawing on the pew and sits up, but he will take out the pencil and paper again as soon as the pastor isn’t watching.

Jon Wildman was born in 1963 in Sterling, Illinois. Because of his childhood speech problems, he latched onto art as a means of self-expression. His parents recognized his abilities, nurtured his art interest in school, took his to shows on the weekends, and registered him for private art lessons. As he matured, the speech problems disappeared, and his interest in school and learning grew. Once he entered High School, an inspirational art teacher, Mrs. Helen, challenged and encouraged him to study art in college. Jon graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1989 with a BFA in ceramics, while experimenting with two-dimensional arts. After graduation, he worked with ceramics and also developed a photograph portfolio.
Meanwhile, the road of life took an unexpected turn, and he found himself working for the well-known Midwest sculptor, Jeff Adams. Drawing from his experience with clay sculpture, high temperature ceramic processes/equipment, painting, and welding, Jon gained experience with figurative sculpture. He recognized how the smallest gesture, line and form can trigger subtle responses. Applying patinas to textured sculptures, he developed he developed a sense of how the surface interacts with color and experimented with different application techniques.
Since 2009, Jon Wildman has been combining his unique experiences with photography, sculpture, and painting to explore how the figure interacts with textured surfaces using alternative application techniques.
His recent work is regularly displayed at Baker Street Café in Dixon, Illinois.
If you have any questions please contact him at: [email protected]
His work can be viewed at: jonwildman.daportfolio.com

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