Blog, Robert Wyland- A great artist on a mission
“The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul."
Robert Wyland”
Robert Wyland
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Wyland in 2019
Wyland painting a mural on a former military barracks now part of the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge
Wyland's signature on a mural at the Long Beach Arena
Wyland (born July 9, 1956), is an American artist best known for his 100 Whaling Walls, large outdoor murals featuring images of life-size whales, and other sea life.[1]
Contents
1 Life and career
2 See also
3 References
4 External links
Life and career
A native of Madison Heights, Michigan, Wyland began painting as a child and attended Detroit's Center for Creative Studies in the 1970s.[2] Wyland's connection with whales began when he was 14 on a visit with his family to Laguna Beach, California where he saw the ocean for the first time and witnessed several gray whales migrating down the California coast towards Mexico.[citation needed] In 1977 he moved to Laguna Beach and in 1981 painted the first of his 100 Whaling Walls at a Laguna Beach parking lot.[citation needed]
By 1997, his commercial work (sold through 25 Wyland galleries) and licensed merchandise sold at zoos and other outlets had become a multimillion-dollar business.[3][4] His artwork has been used on specialty license plates in California and Florida and for a series of four United nations stamps issued in 2010 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission.[5][6]
In 1993, he founded the non-profit Wyland Foundation "to help children rediscover the wonder of the ocean through art" (according to Steve Creech, the foundation's Executive Director)[7] and to finance his Whaling Wall murals.[8] Wyland's 100th and final Whaling Wall was painted in Beijing in 2008.[9] His foundation has since expanded its work to include other environmental initiatives such as sponsorship of the National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation.[10]
In 2018, Norwegian Cruise Line launched their newest cruise ship, Norwegian Bliss. Wyland designed and painted a massive mural on the hull of the over 1,000-foot-long ship, featuring his trademark images of life-sized whales.[11]
Wyland lives in Florida Keys, California and Hawaii.[12]
See also
List of Whaling Walls
References
Gould, Whitney (9 June 1997). "Whaling Wall' Project Offers A Lot To Ponder, As Well As See". Milwaukee Sentinel. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
Arrellano, Christopher (24 April 1983). "Artist In Town To Check Out His 'canvas'", pp. A1, A8. The Day. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
Reese, Joel (30 September 1997). "Worshiping at the Whaling Wall His New Mural in Downtown Chicago Thrills His Fans, but Critics Say Wyland Is a Better Self-Promoter Than an Artist". Daily Herald (Arlington Heights). Retrieved 11 September 2014 via Questia Online Library (subscription required).
Pfister, Darlene (5 September 1997). "Artist Wyland creates whale of a mural". Star-Tribune. Retrieved 11 September 2014 via HighBeam Research (subscription required).
Skirble, Rosanne (6 June 2010). "Marine Artist Receives Stamp of Approval". Voice of America. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
Rosenblatt, Susannah (25 June 2008). "Artist's whale request causes a flap". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
Creech, Steve (June 2013). "Wyland: Artist and Conservationist". Arts and Activities. Retrieved 11 September 2014 via Questia Online Library (subscription required).
Tobias, Lucy (25 October 2000). "Crowds Gather To Watch Artist At Work In Homosassa", pp. 1B and 6B. Ocala Star-Banner.
ENS (27 June 2008). "Wyland to Paint 100th Whaling Wall Mural in Beijing". NBC New York. Retrieved 11 September 2014.
City of Tucson (2014). "National Mayor's Challenge for Water Conservation". Retrieved 11 September 2014.
"Norwegian Cruise Line Reveals Wyland's Visionary Hull Artwork for Norwegian Bliss". www.ncl.com. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
Connelly, Laylan (January 25, 2015). "Wyland offering art lessons for kids". The Orange County Register. p. Sports 11.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Robert Wyland.
Wyland's official website
Wyland Foundation official website
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Vast Oceans That Stir Deep Waters Within Our Souls
Earth its core a hot, melting molten mess
lands majestic imagery to behold
mankind refusing, its evils confess
greed, always in search of oceans of gold.
Yet gifts of its beauty each splashing gem
From ancient times, have birthed well sea-sung hymns
Under midnight moon, swelling of the tides
sweeping watery hands that shorelines wrap
golden treasures under immense depths hides
as a man claws, hits, and foolishly slaps.
Yet gifts of its beauty each splashing gem
From ancient times, have birthed well sea-sung hymns
Dare we ever to ask, are we to blame
as oceans sadly eat our castaway
while we think, our advancements just a game
heedless of truth that somebody must pay.
Yet gifts of its beauty each splashing gem
From ancient times, have birthed well sea-sung hymns
Shall we, ignore our wasteful, trashing feasts
as wisdom reveals some do suffer so
for our oceans hold some majestic beasts
one is the world's vanishing whales, so you know.
Yet gifts of its beauty each splashing gem
From ancient times, have birthed well sea-sung hymns
Before the tale of one fierce Moby Dick
born with intelligence and power too
Neptune blessed whales, their size not a trick
death comes ending, nothing really new.
Yet gifts of its beauty each splashing gem
From ancient times, have birthed well sea-sung hymns
Now this modern age, we slaughter for greed
as it brings on rage, with thoughts to deny
men seeking profits who kill without need
set to weeping Nature and moaning skies.
Yet gifts of its beauty each splashing gem
From ancient times, have birthed well sea-sung hymns
Will we such darken wickedness destroy
light fires of burning flames to erase
teaching life, ocean's whales are not a toy
or with our vanity, seek to save face?
Yet gifts of its beauty each splashing gem
From ancient times, have birthed well sea-sung hymns
Robert J. Lindley, August 7th, 1982
Rhyme, ( Sad Reality Of Mankind's Destructive Greeds )