Written by BERNICE TRICK
Citizen staff
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Sunday, 30 November 2008 |
Citizen publisher Hugh Nicholson and artist Joe Ferrante with the Citizen's Eagles in the City project. (Citizen file photo)
It wasn't a new experience for him after portraying nature and its creatures for the past 30 years.
Even as a youngster on the island of Malta, his math teacher told him to forget math and just draw, he said.
On the seven-foot high Citizen eagle, he has captured the beauty of the North.
"I think it's appropriate for our area with the Northern Lights and a moose and a cougar," said Ferrante, who spent six weeks painting the white sculpture in acrylic.
He said it was lucky it could be done during the summer.
"It's so big it took two men to move it and I was able to put it in a shed to work on it. The weather was good and so was the light," said Ferrante, who was able to take his time painting. He started with the eagle's head and progressed to other northern features.
He said it took a lot of "mixing of colours to find the right tones to complement the outdoors."
"As an artist, I'm never really satisfied with my work, but people who came by to look at it said they liked it and that it well represented the North. My best critic is my wife, Irene, who tells me the way she sees it and makes sure to point out little things I've missed."
In the mid-1970s, when he and Irene decided to move from Malta, the couple had a choice between Australia and Canada.
They chose Canada because Irene's sister lived in Vancouver, and for the next seven years Joe worked in the printing industry.
In 1982 he had the opportunity to come to the Prince George Citizen. He's been here ever since in the press and composing departments.
He lives in the Hart Highway area on acreage where he has abundant wildlife to observe and capture on canvas, along with his landscapes.
Although he can only paint in his spare time, he's thankful to have a steady job.
"As far as making a living painting, my guess is it would be pretty tough. I think my situation is perfect," Joe said.
He's won many awards for his art. In 1999, he was selected as B.C. Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year for 2000. His winning composition, Chickadees and Crabapples, was also issued as a limited edition print. That same year his painting, Evening Song:Timber Wolves, was chosen by Ducks Unlimited for its National Art Print Portfolio, one of 10 from more than 350 entries from across the nation. Ducks Unlimited issued 750 prints for sale for fund-raising projects across North America.
In 2003, his Vantage Point - Dall Sheep was chosen to grace the cover of the B.C. Wildlife Federation's CORE Hunter's Manual for five years.
In 2004, Joe was names B.C. Ducks Unlimited artist of the year for 2005 with his Red-breasted Sapsucker, and was also named Artist of the Year by the Guides and Outfitters of B.C. for his On The Prowl - Cougar.
His works begin with a concept that's sketched on paper and experimented with until he's ready to paint them. He pays special attention to detail without cluttering his subjects.
He uses rich colours and realism, spending long hours on each before applying his signature.
His works have been sold to collectors in Canada, United States, Europe, Australia and Japan, and he is often commissioned to render special works for individuals, companies and corporations.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 30 November 2008 )
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