The BC Wildlife Federation has chosen Michael Jell as its 2012 artist of the year for his “Great Grey Owl” painting. The painting was chosen from 30 entries submitted to the annual competition which is intended to raise the profile of resident BC artists whose work exemplifies the beauty of the fish, wildlife and habitat of British Columbia.
A jury selected three finalists based on composition, creativity, originality, technical proficiency and overall appeal. They were displayed at the BCWF’s 55th Annual General Meeting and Convention in Surrey and the 175 delegates who attended the meeting chose the winner. The other two finalists were Wendy Schmidt and Diana Jensen Vestergaard.
Mr. Jell attended Sheridan College of Art in Ontario and is a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists. He has worked in a number of different mediums, but over time has found that oil and acrylic suit his work best. He has entered several juried shows where he has won both People’s Choice and Best in Show. A print of his “Red Tail Hawk” painting is hanging in the House of Commons in Ottawa.
Mr. Jell has an appreciation for the natural world and spends much of his time exploring the Okanagan area. His ambition is to create art that expresses the delicate balance in nature and the preservation of the world around us.
BCWF’s “Artist of the Year” program was developed in 1992 with the goal of honouring an artist whose work celebrates the beauty of BC’s fish, wildlife and habitats. The sale of the artists’ limited edition art prints fund BCWF conservation projects throughout the province while also recognizing the talent of BC artists. Signed, limited edition prints of Mr. Jell’s winning entry will be on sale in early 2012.
