Charles Wysocki portrays the joy of Early America. Whether he is depicting a cozy New England bay or a busy Amish valley, the artist mixes whimsy and warmth; his brush sets flags a wave and spirits soaring, and his paintings of quilting bees, clambakes, country fairs, and one-room schoolhouses of bygone days shine with gladness and innocence.

Some things about Charles Wysocki’s life can be anticipated. For instance, he collected early American toys, tobacco tins, folk art, clocks, crockery, and books. High on the list of favorite places are Nantucket, Martha’s Vineyard, and New England. Other things are a surprise. While he painted typically New England scenes, he lived in California. Yet one only has to look at his work to understand the person.

Born in Detroit in 1928, Wysocki enjoyed an active and happy boyhood, which seems reflected in the spirit of his work. Since early childhood, he had no other desire than to be an artist. After two years in the Army, Wysocki headed west to the Art Center School in Los Angeles, where he met his wife Elizabeth, to whom he attributes much of his inspiration because she grew up on a farm.

The aspects of her life that affected him were the basics: hard work, personal closeness, and contentment with life’s “little things.” Wysocki added, “I hope my paintings revive pleasant thoughts of a bygone era and express a semblance of order and serenity that fills a need in this fast-changing world. I like to add a touch of humor to my work. I see life on the lighter side, in much simpler and more basic forms.”

Wysocki’s award-winning art is sought after internationally and has been published in two books: American Celebration and Heartland. Charles Wysocki died July 29th, 2002, surrounded by a loving family. He will be missed by fans, dealers, and family; he was a pioneer in our industry.

You can still obtain the favored art of Charles Wysocki by contacting our local art galleries in Irvine and Laguna Beach. Featuring the work of dozens of today’s artists, Village Gallery is the choice among California art collectors.

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