PAW PRINTS

The Art of John Salsnek

Original Paintings, Giclées & Limited Editions

Nestled in a country valley, between two popular Okanagan, British Columbia cities, Oliver and Pentiction, you will find the hobby farm of renowned artist John Salsnek, his wife Stephanie and their four-legged family.

Their cedar-lined drive leads directly to a traditional country barn, which to the delight of their frequent visitors is home to a complete Gallery and John’s working studio. With an ongoing and always changing collection of original pieces and ever increasing portfolio of limited edition images the Salsneks have created a charming and comfortable atmosphere for their guests. Their clients also enjoy the option of choosing from a framing collection specifically selected for John’s art. Although their home is but paces away, they do have a ‘sometimes open, sometimes not’ policy and encourage their visitors to call their convenient toll free number. This accommodate their travels throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alberta.

John has regular collectors who like to keep on top of new works and clients who are introduced to his work through  gallery and specialty locations throughout western Canada and the Yukon. The Salsneks participate in numerous professional art exhibitions each year and John’s work has an increasing following of private and corporate collectors across Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Born in Graz, Austria, in 1947, John came to Canada as a child, moved across the provinces and after numerous relocations finally settled in the Okanagan Valley with his professional career in shopping centre management.

By 1990 John had developed a devoted clientele for the original works he created and decided to become a full-time artist. Within the next several years he had been honoured by such prestigious organizations as Ducks Unlimited and published in several coffeetable books. Limited edition prints followed, and with them, an increasing demand from collectors.

Always the artist and outdoorsman, John was first inspired by his Mother’s artistic talent and foremost his love of the outdoors. These two passions have created a unique ability to capture on canvas those moments in nature that evoke a range of emotional responses  including humour and familiarity. A limited edition print entitled ‘Learning the Ropes, Too’ a sequel edition featuring a family of saw-whet owls, invariably garners a chuckle of delight and its resulting popularity is a testament to John’s ability.

Although primarily an artist who depicts nature, John’s work cannot be specifically designated as wildlife or landscape. His canvases will take you on a walk through the woods, or atop a mountain, he has a keen eye for colour and light and has a very recognizable style...until perhaps you meet ‘The Beetles....really’, a whimsical quartet of brilliantly coloured, you guessed it...beetles...named with due respect, John, Paul, George and Ringo. His versatility is evident in his personal favourites. His studio is a collection of works finished and in process ranging from incredible realism......a vision from the forest depths, to detailed scientific illustrations of tortoise shells and exotic frogs.

John’s painting process has always begun with massive amounts of subject research, he claims his treasured quarterhorse is his finest research assistant and her saddlebags are always well stocked with film, sketching tools and  binoculars. Although preferring to do as much of his own research as possible, John  relies on his extensive library to insure that the integrity of his work is not compromised by something as insignificant to most as an inappropriate moss. This stage is followed by a collection of individual sketches that evolve into the final composition.

The original painting is sketched onto canvas or board and layered with several base coats to establish the desired preliminary values and overall direction. Each painting goes through the process of alternating darks and lights, gradually refining, eventually creating the remarkable shades of lighting, depth and detail  that are so prominent in John’s works.

Completing a piece is often a longer process. John says, “ I frequently put a piece away, totally out of sight for several weeks to get a new prospective on it....then I’m able to discover what it needs to be complete. I have to be totally satisfied with it before I apply the final varnish.” John acknowledges that he has taken years to complete some works to his  own satisfaction.

The limited edition print is a valuable feature of the Salsnek collection. John recognizes that not all of his clients are able to invest in original art work for every room in their homes and office, and to that end he considers the popularity of certain images  and the subsequent affordability to his art collectors.

John maintains strict controls on the entire publishing process, he begins with an extensive opinion poll on the proposed image, researches the quality and style of stock and follows the program through each step until he is totally satisfied. Although he has been commissioned to develop limited editions in larger numbers for corporate clients, his ‘Paw Prints Collectibles’ are rarely above a series of 295 individually signed and numbered prints.

  John is very proud of the successes that he has enjoyed so far and always has ‘so many’ paintings in his sketchbook and yet to be imagined that he is rarely far from his studio. Imagination aside, John’s commissioned pieces keep him firmly grounded behind the easel at any time. Stephanie handles the administrative and promotional operations of ‘Paw Prints’ and together they determine their working calendar  for each year. They also make it a priority in their hectic business schedule to participate in fundraising programs for the causes aiding children and animals.

“ We are so fortunate to be able to be creative, and to have developed careers together that we totally enjoy.” John & Stephanie Salsnek

  Some highlights:

2008 - Oliver Community Arts Council 25th Anniversary Art Show
~ "All Aboard" - Acrylic~
First Prize Peoples' Choice Award
First Prize Participants' Choice Award

"Riding the Rails" - Acrylic~
Second Prize People's Choice Award
Second Prize Participants' Choice Award

2007 - Oliver Community Arts Council - Fall Art Show
~ "Traditions" ~
First Place Peoples' Choice Award
Best Interpretation of Theme

2006 - Oliver Community Arts Council - Fall Art Show
~ "Fuschia Fantasy" ~
First Place Peoples' Choice Award

2005 - Honoured by the Penticton & Wine Country Chamber of Commerce
~ Home Based Business Award ~

2003 - Best New Artist - Jurors’ Choice - Calgary Stampede Western Art Exhibition

2000 - Voted Best Artist in the Okanagan, Okanagan Life Magazine

1999 - Blue Ribbon ( 2 Dimensional ) Spokane Western Art Show

1998 - Published - Wildlife Art

1997 - Published - Best of Wildlife Art - Northlight Books - Detroit

1996 - Published - Naturescape - Province of British Columbia

1995 - Published - Brushes in the Sun - coffeetable edition

1994 - Artist of the Year - Ducks Unlimited

1993 - British Columbia Wildlife Federation - Honours 

1992 - Art Award of the Year - Ducks Unlimited

1990 - Began painting full time

          - established a working studio and Gallery 

  Annual programs have included exhibitions at:

          Canada House, Art Gallery of the South Okanagan, Osoyoos Art Gallery, Summerland Art Gallery, Stephen Lowe Galleries ( British Columbia and Alberta), Tumbleweed Art Gallery, Ponderosa Art Gallery, Tinhorn Creek Vineyards Art Gala, Leir House, Harrison Hot Springs Art Walk and others.