“My joy is in the attempt to capture what all of my senses are taking in – light, mood and story.  En plein air painting manifests what I am sensing into that captivation.”

            Born and raised in Banff, Alberta, Canada in the heart of the Canadian Rockies in Banff National Park,  I continue to be as enamoured with their majestic beauty as my family has been for four generations. Woven into the fabric of my life are recollections of inspiring people and their stories – heroes and heroines usually involving horseback riding, skiing, hiking and Banff Indian Days. This strong sense of history and belonging was nurtured by my grandfather, Chuck Millar, who was a trail guide and packer. These exhilarating mountain landscapes find expression in every aspect of my life.

            In the spontaneity of painting 'en plein air' or in the precision of developing studio work with layers of transparent glazes, my paintings resonate with a passion for capturing the moment.

            My passion is painting en plein air in watercolours and oils. This passion has taken me to glaciers, lakes, mountain hillsides, forests and meadows here in the Bow Valley and beyond to oceans and old growth forests. Some of my favorite backcountry studios are at Lake O’Hara, Mt. Assiniboine, Bow Lake, the Queen Charlottes, Northern BC and the Yukon.

            I have hiked, climbed, snow-shoed and arrived by helicopter to find a place to stand or sit with my pochade and paints. I paint regardless of the weather, in daylight or moonlight hours and in temperatures to –16 degrees. A painting kit accompanies me on every adventure and I have painted en plein air in Europe and the United States and then using these smaller sketches for the basis of studio paintings.

            Building on a legacy of appreciation for pristine wilderness, natural environs and mountain culture, my journeys continue to carry me into new horizons to explore and to paint.

W J BRADLEY

ARTIST

                                    Curriculum Vitae

EXHIBITIONS

Solo Shows:

2014               ‘W J Bradley: Seasons’

                        An exhibition of original oils

                        Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Banff, AB

2013                ‘W J Bradley: Journeys’

                        The Heron, Victoria, BC

                        An exhibition of original oils

2012                ‘Artistic Journeys with W J Bradley’                  

                        An exhibition of original oils and watercolours 

                        Bison Courtyard, Banff, AB 

2011                ‘W J Bradley: A Sense of Place’

                        An exhibition of original oils

                        Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Banff, AB

2009                ‘Light Up the Night’

                        An exhibition of original oils with Erica Neumann

                        Neumann Gallery, Okotoks, AB

2007                ‘Artistic Journeys with W J Bradley

                       An exhibition of original oils Harmony Lane

                        Banff, AB

2003                ‘Artistic Journeys’

                        An exhibition of watercolours & oils                       

                        Banff Television Festival, Canmore, AB

1996                ‘Summer Gardens’

                        An exhibition of watercolours with a garden theme

                        Pinky’s, Calgary, AB

Group Shows:    

2014-2016     'JOY'

               Canada House Gallery, Banff, AB

2008                ‘Group Show – August 2008’

                        Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Banff, AB

2007                ‘Diversity & Women’, In honour of International Women’s Day

                        Banff Public Library, Banff, AB

2006                ‘Homegrown’

                        Town of Banff, Banff, AB

2005                ‘The Art of History’, In honour of Alberta's Centennial

                        Num-Ti-Jah Lodge Art Show, Bow Lake, AB

2003                ‘Source’,

          In honour of the United Nations International Year of Fresh Water

          Num-Ti-Jah Lodge Art Show, Bow Lake, AB

                       In honour of the United Nations International Year of Fresh Water

2002                ‘Local Colour’

                        Wild Elements Gallery, Banff, AB

                       In honour of the United Nations International Year of Mountains       

1999-2001       ‘From the Heart’

                        Canmore Hospital Art Shows, Canmore, AB

1999-2001       CAAG (Canmore Artists & Artisans Guild), Various Shows           

1998-1999       ‘Twin Peaks’

                        Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Banff, AB

1996                ‘Ginger Tea Room’, Okotoks, AB

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

2011                “Bow Lake, Images in Art’, by Jane Lytton Gooch

                        Reproduction of ‘Blue Notes’ 16 x 20 oil plein air painting

2007                ‘Mount Assiniboine, Images in Art’, by Jane Lytton Gooch
                                       Reproduction of ‘Early Morning at Mount Assiniboine’ 11 x 14            watercolour painting

2003-2007       ‘The Local Lowdown’, Cover, YWCA of Banff, Banff, AB

                        Reproduction of ‘Banff Avenue’ 30 x 40 oil painting

2006                ‘Artistic Odyssey’, Experience Life Magazine, Published by Eden Prairie,

          Minnesota, USA

                        Reproduction of photos & article

2006                ‘The Calendar of Events’,

          Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Banff, AB

                        Featured Plein Air artist

1999                ‘Painting Peaks’, Article

          The Alpine club of Canada Gazette, Canmore, AB    

AWARD with Distinction

2005            ‘Best Heritage Related Experience’, Banff Heritage Tourism Award,

      Banff, AB
                     

      Watercolour paintings for Museo Packs,

      Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies

AWARDS

2005, 2007          ‘Guest Artist’, Canada Day, Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies,

                            Banff, AB

2006                    ‘Artist-In-House’, The Juniper, Banff, AB

2003                    ‘Artist-In-Retreat’, Atlin Art Centre, Atlin, BC

2002-Present      ‘Artist-In-Residence’, Num-Ti-Jah Lodge, Bow Lake, AB

2002-Present      ‘Guest Artist’, Culture Walk/Plein Air Painting, Whyte Museum of the        

                            Canadian Rockies, Banff, AB

2002                    ‘Artist-In-Residence’, CODA (Calgary Olympic Development Association),

                            Haig Glacier, Kananaskis Country, AB

1997-1998          ‘Guest Artist’, (PAPA) Plein Air Painters of Alberta

COLLECTIONS

My works are represented in collections worldwide including;

Num-Ti-Jah Lodge, Bow Lake, AB

CODA (Calgary Olympic Development Association), Bill Warren Training Centre, Canmore, AB

CBC/Radio-Canada, Executive Office, Canada

CTV, Executive Office, Canada

A&E Network, USA

Global Television, Executive Office, Canada

NHK (Japan Public Broadcasting), Executive Office, Japan

RTE, Executive Office, Ireland

BBC, Executive Office, United Kingdom

SATEL, Executive Office, Austria

ABC, Executive Office, Australia

MDA, Executive Office, Singapore

Discovery Networks, Executive Office, USA

LOGO & SET DESIGN & ARCHITECTURAL RENDERINGS

Mountain Homes for Humanity, Canmore, AB (2001)

Grace Community Alliance Church, Calgary, AB (1996)

Red Deer Christian School, Red Deer, AB (1995)

Southview Alliance Church, Calgary, AB (1994-1996)

DONATIONS FOR FUNDRAISERS

Mineral Springs Hospital, Banff, AB

Canmore Highland Dancing, Canmore, AB

Calgary Children’s Hospital (3 years), Calgary, AB

Rotary Club of Banff (4 years), Banff, AB

Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, Gala & Christmas Event, (3 years), Banff, AB

Calgary Rugby Association, Calgary, AB

Valhalla Senior Centre, Calgary, AB

AFFILIATIONS

Rotary Club of Banff (past member)

Alpine Club of Canada

VOLUNTEERING

Canmore Folk Festival (2 years)

Canmore Highland Games (3 years)

Canadian Diabetes Foundation

Canadian Heart & Stroke Foundation