Richard Wong Watercolors

 About the Artist

Richard Wong is a professional wildlife artist living in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.  His watercolors on Japanese art paper are popular.

Richard has always loved wildlife and the outdoors since his early childhood in Saskatchewan, and then on the West Coast in British Columbia later in life.  He started painting in 2010 after he retired from a career with the Provincial Government of British Columbia, and has participated in international residency and exchanges in Australia and the United States.

Richard’s vision is to connect people and communities through art.  He is a full time artist and instructor.  His classes are relaxing, stress free and professionally guided, with a focus on empowerment (fun, patience, kindness) so you can enjoy all the benefits that art can offer (relaxation, stress-release, sense of community and mental well-being).


Art Festivals
  • Esquimalt Arts Festival
  • Moss Street Paint-In
  • Gorge on Art
  • Creatively United for the Planet Festival
  • Saanich Peninsula ArtSea Festival

 Awards

  • International Artist Showcase, Mar, 2019; May 15 - 31, 2017, "Light, Space, Time" Online Gallery.
  • Special Recognition, "Poppies", 2016 Botanicals Art Exhibition, "Light, Space, Time" Online Gallery.
  • Special Merit, "Roses", 2016 Botanicals Art Exhibition, "Light, Space, Time" Online Gallery.
  • Special Merit, "Pomeranian," 5th Annual Animals Online Art Competition, "Light, Space, Time" Online Gallery
  • Special Merit, "BC Forest," 4th Annual International Landscape Art Competition, "Light, Space, Time" Online Gallery
  • Special Recognition, "Koala," 3rd Annual Open International Art Competition, "Light, Space, Time" Online Gallery
  • Special Recognition, "Stardust," 3rd Annual International "Figurative" Art Competition, "Light, Space, Time" Online Gallery
  • Special Merit & Special Recognition, "Seabirds," 3rd Annual International "Seascape" Exhibition, "Light, Space, Time" Online Gallery
  • Jurors Choice, "Geraniums 2," SPAC Spring Show
  • Honorable Mention, "Black & White Orchid," 14th Annual Victoria LOOK Show & Exhibition
  • 3rd place, "American Ghost Orchid," Victoria Orchid Society Spring Gala
  • Honorable Mention for 10th placing, "Raccoon," 3rd Annual International "Nature" Art Competition, "Light, Space, Time" Online Gallery
  • Special Recognition, "Orca Killer Whale," 3rd Annual International "Nature" Art Competition, "Light, Space, Time" Online Gallery

Exhibitions

  • "Grey Jay", 2017 Sooke Fine Arts Show
  • Karen Tam and Richard Wong, "With Wings like Clouds, Hung from the Sky" 2017 Exhibition, Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
  • "Rooted in History" - Celebrating the Garry Oak Ecosystem, Robert Bateman Centre, Victoria
  • "Group of Six" Art Show, Esquimalt Recreation Centre
  • James Bay Coop Health Centre
  • Oak Bay Marina Restaurant
  • Serious Coffee on Cook
  • Government House, Cary Castle Mews
  • Art Gallery on Douglas, Sotheby's International
  • Scattered Artist's Tour, Saanich
  • Victoria Bug Zoo
  • Brentwood Bay Art Gallery, 849 Verdier Ave., Brentwood Bay, BC
  • "Reflections," Solo Exhibition, English Inn, Victoria
  • "Inspired by Nature," Group Exhibition, Goward House, Victoria
  • "Sidney in Cairns," Solo Exhibition, Tulista Art Centre, Sidney, BC
  • "Canadian & Australian Endangered Species," Solo Exhibition, Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns, Australia
  • Solo Exhibition, Genesis Hair Studio, Vancouver
  • "Canadian Endangered Species," Mary Winspear Centre, Sidney
  • April Feature, "Celebration of Spring & Nature," Sooke Harbour House Art Gallery, Sooke
  • Solo Exhibition, Acacia Integrative Health Clinic, Victoria
  • "Paper Exhibition," Cairns, Australia
  • Solo Art Show, Hotel Grand Pacific, Victoria
  • "SPAC Spring Show", Mary Winspear Centre
  • "Bloom 5," Coast Collective Gallery 
  • "3rd Annual International Nature Art Exhibition," Light, Space, Time Online Gallery 
  • Solo Art Show, Saanich Municipal Hall  
  • "Fair Fauna - A Benefit for Wild ARC," Metchosin Art Gallery 
  • "Coming Together," Coast Collective Gallery 
  • "Portals," Coast Collective Gallery 
  • 14th Annual Victoria LOOK Fine Arts Exhibition
  • "Small Treasures V," Coast Collective Gallery
  • "Artisan's Christmas Gift Gallery," Tulista Art Gallery
  • Solo Art Show, "Songbirds of Victoria," Island Blue Art Store, Victoria, BC
  • Coast Collective Gallery, Pendray Collection, Victoria, BC 
  • Cafe Gallery, Cedar Hill Recreation and Arts Centre, Victoria, BC
  • Island Blue Online Gallery, Victoria, BC, Featured Arti

Residencies

  • English Inn, Victoria
  • Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns, Australia
  • Greater Victoria Public Library
  • Hotel Grand Pacific ArtiShow, Victoria
  • Fort Rodd Hill & Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites  
  • Abkhazi Gardens, Victoria 

Window Art Commissions & Licensed Designs

  • Private and corporate clients include the English Inn, Huntingdon Manor, the Camelot, Esquimalt Recreation Centre, Amica House, and Victoria Bug Zoo.
Other Commissions
  • Pet portraits and illustration contracts.

Teachings

  • Ongoing Online watercolour classes and programs on zoom - current.
  • Ongoing In-Person watercolour classes at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific (HCP) - current.
  • Watercolour classes on zoom for ELLA (Edmonton Lifelong Learners Association), fall 2021.
  • Watercolour classes, Esquimalt Recreation Centre, James Bay New Horizon, Panorama Recreation Centre, SHOAL Centre in Sidney, Coast Collective Art Centre in Colwood.
  • Watercolour workshops, Greater Victoria Public Library. 
  • Shaw TV "Healthy Living" series #12, Township of Esquimalt, on YouTube.
  • Pender Islands Art Society, one day workshop, oriental watercolours.
  • "Kid's Program," watercolour lessons, Royal BC Museum.
  • "Introduction to Oriental Brush & Watercolour" workshop, Greater Victoria Public Library.
  • Adult & Children's "Watercolour Workshops on Masa Paper," Tanks Arts Centre, Cairns, Australia.
  • "Oriental Brush & Watercolour on Masa Paper," Esquimalt Recreation Centre (ongoing).
  • "Fun with Watercolour" for children, Esquimalt Recreation Centre.  YouTube Sample.
  • "Exploring Watercolour on Masa Paper," Opus Victoria.
  • "Fun With Chinese Brush Painting," workshops, Fort Rodd Hill.

Speaking Engagements

  • "Business of Art - How I Built a Successful Art Business, Part 1 & 2", Coast Collective, 09/19 and 10/19; SPAC, Sidney, BC 12/14
  • "Awakening of an Artist", Victoria, 09/19
  • "Cairn's, Australia artist-in-residence," Sidney Sister Cities Association, Sidney, BC 10/14
  • "Cairn's, Australia artist-in-residence," Anacortes Sister Cities Association, Anacortes, USA, 10/14

Membership

  • Township Community Arts Council
  • Sidney Sister Cities Association
  • Community Arts Council of Greater Victoria
  • Community Art Council of the Saanich Peninsula

Publications/Videos/TV Shows


Letter of Reference

Pender Islands Arts Society had a very successful workshop with Richard on May 31.  Our members and visitors really enjoyed his introduction to his style of Oriental watercolour painting, and his ability to take the fear out of the process.  In no time we were experimenting with the wet-on-wet technique by spraying water and then paint to the magical masa paper and watching the paint flow, creating a free expression of a tree, right in front of our eyes. This was followed by the wet-on-dry technique, where we learnt to scumble and tease the paint.  Richard brought humour, fun and expertise to our class and our day of fun and learning just flew by.  We shall look forward to welcoming him back again in the future.

- Pender Islands Arts Society (June 12, 2015)


Letter of Reference

Tanks Arts Centre

Cairns Regional Council

Cairns, Australia


21 August 2014


Re: RICHARD WONG RESIDENCY 16 JUNE - 16 JULY, 2014


To whom it may concern,


This letter of reference for Richard Wong is written with gratitude and affection. Richard enthusiastically responded to an invitation from Cairns Regional Council to artists in each of our seven sister cities around the globe, to come to Cairns and undertake a residency hosted by the Tanks Arts Centre. Richard’s application had a strong theme of endangered species of the region of Far North Queensland and of his home in British Columbia. It was clear that this exchange was going to be enlightening and informative for both the communities of Cairns and Sidney.


Prior to his residency Richard worked with us to develop a program of artist’s talks, community meetings, workshops and an exhibition launch. I introduced him to academic staff at James Cook University and the Cairns Botanic Gardens and Richard developed a good working relationship with those people who would be able to inform his artwork during the residency.


Richard arrived in Cairns already having completed the British Columbian body of work, illustrating endangered species of his home region. At his welcoming event, he was able to explain the environmental issues that were threatening these animals and engaged the audience in a discussion about the work he intended to do during his residency.


Richard settled into the local community and academic circles quite quickly, visiting many people and places where he could study his subject matter. The rest of his time was spent in the studio, producing watercolour paintings of native species and talking to visitors who had come to meet the artist and see his work.


Richard gave a series of oriental brush workshops to children and adults, which were very well attended and very much appreciated. His generosity and enthusiasm was evident and several participants remarked that they would like him to return to Cairns and teach some more.


I regard Richard’s residency in Cairns to be a model for future residency exchanges with our sister cities. He has been an ardent ambassador for his home town and I know that he will remain an advocate for Cairns, our community and especially our native fauna.



Yours sincerely,


Chris Stannard


Curator