Meet local Phoenix based artist Jon Wassom, who creates exquisite landscapes, still life’s, portraits, and more that utilize oil and acrylic paints working directly on the canvas with a palette knife.
His passion for art began in high school where Wassom says, “I had the most incredible high school art teachers, and college professors that gave me encouragement and taught me the skills necessary to begin my career as a creative.” Wassom went on to train in painting at Utah State University, in addition to an apprenticeship with well-known artist, Woody Shepherd.
His artwork is shaped and greatly influenced by his extensive and diverse experiences in athletics including gymnastics and most recently figure skating and massage therapy, translating into his handling of movement and anatomy. With a skilled hand and an eye for detail Wassom prefers to work organically developing each painting stating, “I focus on how texture, color, and shape connects with one another within the abstractions while the realistic elements give the viewer a basic platform to draw out their own experiences.” As an artist Wassom is continually exploring different subject matters, experimenting with new techniques and styles within his work.
Previously he has exhibited work in Washington DC, Baltimore, as well as a few galleries in Downtown Phoenix participating in both solo and group exhibitions most recently at {9} The Gallery, Wee Gallery and Shade Gallery at the MonOrchid. Wassom’s debut exhibition at the monOrchid “Palettes of the World” received rave reviews and was inspired by painting the Phoenix cityscape, which evolved into perceptions of places and cultures from around the world.
Currently his work is being exhibited at the Touchstone Gallery in Washington, DC and next up Wassom will have several paintings featured in a small group exhibition titled “Celebrity” on display in Shade Gallery at the monOrchid in December. His work has been featured in several publications both local and national including Artist’s Magazine, Spaces, AZCulture, Phoenix New Times, Valley Spotlight and was most recently featured on the cover of Get Out AZ in the East Valley Tribune. Learn more about Jon Wassom when you visit him online at www.wassomgallery.com and be sure to follow him on instagram at @jonwassom. *Artwork images courtesy of Artist Jon Wassom and monorhcid image by Nicole Royse.
