Wyland: Artist, Conservationist & Entrepreneur!

The Wyland gallery in Sarasota was packed Oct 5 & 6 for the unveiling of Wyland’s newest works and book signing.  Even Gary Puckett, the musician, was among his fans.  Hopefully, you were lucky enough to meet this down to earth artist.  He is very approachable and willing to talk with everyone.  He enjoys people, especially children and it was very evident as he talked with fans, posed for photos, and signed books.  The children watched in amazement as he created a lion’s face in minutes, with a technique called Sumi-e, he learned in China. 

Wyland is an avid diver.  He loves to dive everywhere.  Wyland’s inspiration comes from swimming the oceans, viewing reefs and marine life close up.  He is a member of the international Scuba Diving Hall of Fame and was recently inducted into the Explorer’s Club.  Diving allows him to study the intricate designs of sea life.  He unbelievably comes away with much more than that…  In essence, he captures the spirit of the animal.  You can feel the life force in his artwork.  A glimmer of light from within the animal, caught in a moment.  Wyland not only captures the marine life but the viewer as well.  His colors are vivid and real.  His works are mesmerizing.  He grabs the spark in the eye of his subject matter, as he captivates his audience with its beauty.  His marine life artwork is brilliant and it transcends our emotions.  His goal is to bring awareness to the magnificent marine life that we would otherwise rarely see.  Wyland states that “Art is powerful!”  He uses art to educate and inspire people to get involved in keeping our waters and sea life healthy. 

He has created 100 Murals all over the US and other countries.  His works are lifelike and produced in actual size.  In less than 30 years he completed them all.  Many were done in just a week.  

Wyland has painted with over a million kids in 50 states and many other countries.  By bringing the sea to life in a child, he promotes a love of saving the ocean and sea life in the future.  Wyland believes, “If you want to protect the environment today, talk to an adult, if you want to protect our environment in the future, talk to the kids.” He believes if you inspire children, then you inspire the next generation.  He encourages them to be Ambassadors for marine conservation efforts. 

Wyland works with oil, watercolor, acrylics…and more.  He creates contemporary art, abstracts, fine art photography, sculptures, murals, Sumi E brush, Chinese brush, etc.

He made a documentary called Blue Planet Sound and is scheduled to release a film called Blue Planet Hope on Earthday 2013.  The next will be released 2014 on Earthday, Blue Planet Future. He composed the music for the films and has written 60 songs with the message of protecting our waters, he has written a book called “Hold Your Water” about water conservation and tips to save the planet.  He is the official Olympics artist.  He has hosted many television shows. The Wyland Cellars include award winning CA wines, He created FL and CA license plates with a whale tail, a portion goes to support coastal and marine education and research programs.

His non-profit, called the Wyalnd Foundation, was founded in 1993. Its focus is to encourage environmental awareness in children and families and the importance of healthy waters.  It offers many art programs, science education and events.  http://www.wylandfoundation.org/

Wyland also has a facebook page. Check it out! His emphasis is on Art, Conservation and Community.

He is an inspiration! What an impact one man with a love for marine life and art can make!

To learn more go to www.Wyland.com

Wyland lives one third of his time in the Keys, a third in the north shore of Hawaii, and the same in California.  

He is an environmentalist making a difference to protect & preserve our waters!

See more photos of the gallery event:

http://laurenbates.photoshelter.com/gallery-slideshow/G0000I.oHBc5faw0/?start=

Visit the Wyland Gallery on St. Armands Circle to see more of Wyland’s works and also check out the Dichroic Glass Art pieces by David White - Tsunami Wave: 

http://laurenbates.photoshelter.com/gallery-slideshow/G0000.EOYp4oPB1k/?start=