Indulge in some summer fun at the Gardens. "Sunflowers" bring happiness and are always enjoyable to sketch and paint. Follow Richard Wong's gentle guidance to help you experience the joy of creating your own sunflower painting. Choose to work from cut Sunflowers grown at HCP with Richard's guidance, and/or from Richard's class image. All levels are welcome.

Supplies (if students are bringing their own):
- masa paper (8x10" piece).  Option: regular 140lb watercolour paper
- winsor newton watercolours: neutral tint, indian yellow, prussian blue, quinacridone gold
- paint brushes, pencil, eraser, paper towels

Class Fee: $80 not including supplies/$90 includes all supplies
Register ONLINE or call 250 479 6162

Richard Wong, Artist Statement & Biography

“How I Became A Wildlife Artist”

This great adventure of mine started fairly innocently.
I spent a glorious 25 years with the provincial government of British Columbia working in finance and policy (Ministry of Environment). During that time, I came to appreciate our wildlife and natural environment, all so delicately balanced! Then it came time to retire. So I did.
My life as a wildlife artist started soon thereafter. With time on my hands, and a Christmas gift of art supplies (from my wonderful spouse), I enrolled in art classes (2010). First it was traditional watercolor classes. Then it was Chinese brush lessons. I soon discovered Japanese art paper, and my career (second) as a professional wildlife artist began. Learning to paint, especially watercolor, allows me to capture the very essence of wildlife and nature like no other medium. Much of our wildlife is affected to the point where we are losing them rapidly. So I do what I can to spread this message of awareness: to paint and capture our wildlife in beautiful, vibrant watercolors; to teach others how to do this; and along the way, to engage and connect people and communities through my love of art. This love has taken me to Australia and the United States, where I've taught, presented and shown my work (Watercolor on Japanese Art Paper). I now paint (professionally), teach and sell from my lovely home base in Victoria, BC, Canada.
Wishing everyone a very lovely journey as we embark on yet another wildlife/art adventure full of wonder, excitement and discovery!

Sincerely,
Richard Wong
Professional Wildlife Artist
Watercolor on Japanese Art Paper