BIOGRAPHY OF WES NEWTON
Early in life Wes A. Newton was identified as the artist among his family and peers. Newton started drawing when inspired by watching his dad sketch and paint. A paper pad would often become his playground. Even in school he might draw things in the extra space on his paperwork. His teachers couldn’t help but notice his ability and encouraged him to pursue it.
In 1985 Newton received his Bachelor Degree in art from the University of Science and Art of Oklahoma in Chickasha. He attended U.S.A.O. on a scholarship that he received as a reward in an art competition for high school students. While attending college he won numerous awards from around his home state of Oklahoma as well as regional. He was awarded a special scholarship to attend the Art Student’s League in New York. In the fall of 1985 he attended the Art Students League and studied under David Leffel and Dick Geotz. Newton made it to the top 200 of the Arts for the Parks national exhibition in 1991, 1996, 2001 and was selected for the top 100 in 1998, 2003, and the top mini 50 in 2005. He has participated in the American Art in Miniature exhibitions at the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, OK in the 1998-2002 exhibitions. He has also participated in the “Western Visions Miniature Show” at the National Museum of Wildlife Art in Jackson, Wyoming in the 2000 and 2001 exhibitions.
In recent years Newton has painted with nationally known artists Wayne Wolfe, Jim Wilcox, and Scott Christensen. He says to interact with other artists is important. “Each artist that I have spent time with has shared knowledge that is invaluable to my growth as an artist. In many of my paintings I see a little influence of each,” He states that he has also learned a lot from the exhibits that show in the Cowboy Hall of Fame and Gilcrease Museum, both an easy drive from where he lives. “ Most people enjoy paintings for their subject and beauty. I also enjoy stepping right up to a painting to see the process of the artist. I want to know how they achieved what they did. To an artist the execution of a painting is as important as the final product. “
With his wife, son and daughter Newton resides in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma . He frequently takes trips to the northwest to paint on location and to gather reference material. He says, “It is very important to observe the colors and values that nature provides. The studies on location furnish that in the studio.”
His paintings are represented in these fine galleries: The Hole In the Wall Gallery, Ennis, Montana; Howell Gallery, Okla. City, OK.