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This was on Martha's Vineyard at Gay Head. The house looked like something out of Teddy Roosevelt's time. All that's left now is the tower. It was on a nice, high perch but from some viewpoints, you could not see the sea. The children were inspired by Winslow Homer because he created them as down-to-earth and charming.
They are symbols of another time . . . monuments of a simpler, gentler era . . . guardians and guideposts for safe passage. They are lighthouses and for years they have been staples of Charles Wysocki's wonderful work. "They
are unique expressions of human creativity,” Wysocki has said. Physically, they represent triumphant solutions to complex engineering problems. Emotionally, they exemplify drama, rescue, poetry, romance, grandeur, nostalgia and artistry.”
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Some things about Charles Wysocki’s life can be anticipated. For instance, he
collects Early American toys, tobacco tins, folk art, clocks, crockery and
books. High on the list of favorite places are Nantucket, Martha’s
Vineyard . . . and all of New England.
Other things are a surprise: while he paints typically New England scenes, he
lives in California. Yet one only has to look at his work to understand the
person. Born in Detroit in 1928, Wysocki enjoyed an active and happy boyhood,
which seems reflected in the spirit of his work. Since early childhood, he
had
no other desire than to be an artist.
After two years in the Army, Wysocki headed west to the Art Center School in
Los Angeles, the city where he met his wife Liz, to whom he attributes much of
his inspiration because she grew up on a farm. The aspects of her life that
affected him were the basics: hard work, personal closeness and contentment
with life’s "little things."
Wysocki adds, "I hope my paintings revive pleasant thoughts of a bygone era
and
express a semblance of order and serenity that fills a need in this fast-
changing world. I like to add a touch of humor into my work. I see life on
the lighter side, in much simpler and more basic forms."
Wysocki’s award-winning art is sought-after internationally and has been
published in two books, American Celebration and Heartland.
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