Slade Wheeler

Acquired directly from the artist

In the collection of the Art Renewal Center, 2023

New York,Sotheby’s, 16th International ARC Salon Exhibition, Best Trompe l'Oeil, July 14 – 24, 2023

S.Peralta, Lunar Codex: The Polaris Collection, enclosed in cultural time capsule on the Griffin lunar lander, launched by SpaceX, and placed on the Moon in perpetuity, launch scheduled November 2024, illustrated

Various authors, International Realism: 16th International ARC Salon, ACC Art Books, Woodbridge, Suffolk 2023, (Best Trompe l’Oeil), illustrated p. 60

“After visiting a gallery and seeing a ‘Don't Touch’ sign hanging with my trompe l'oeil paintings, I realized that there was a missed opportunity; people wanted to touch and interact with my work when their eyes were deceived by the trompe l'oeil effect. After thinking about it for a number of years, it occurred to me to add interactive elements into the framing. Things that could be held and felt, with weight and texture, and I could make the painting and the frame so important to each other that they wouldn't make much sense if they were separated. So I set out to explore the idea further... I landed on the concept of love because I knew that a piece with so many parts would be a lot of work, it would take a long time, and I would have to be patient because I wanted every element to be handcrafted. I would need to learn other art forms, like wood carving and silversmithing. I needed a concept that would keep me excited over the long haul. Exploring the symbolism of love, and knowing how important the symbols are to us as people, was the idea that could carry me through. This piece took about 3½ years from start to finish. I hope you enjoy it.” – Slade Wheeler

Slade Wheeler, born in 1970, grew up in a family of artisans and musicians. He both heard and saw the beauty that they created. From them, he learned that excellence of technique and depth of emotion are the heart of any artistic work that strives to be a masterpiece.

At the age of 13, Slade was recognized for his artistic aptitude and was offered an apprenticeship. In exchange for art lessons, Slade cleaned and organized the painter’s studio and began building the artistic foundation that would guide him toward the traditional representational painting that he practices today. In college, Slade followed instructors who specialized in classical forms of teaching. After years of study in anatomy, composition, and two-dimensional design, he began the extensive study of past masters. Over time, Slade discovered his love for the minute details and the use of symbolism that realism and trompe l’oeil styles offer. His work is often laced with allegory and contemporary references, narrated by the use of everyday objects and icons, placed in near-surreal settings. He remains dedicated to the traditional approach and the close observation that is required for the precise execution of his paintings.