Art by Wayne Meineke

 
Besides this page, more of my work may be seen by going to the links listed in "my complete profile", just to the left of this post, or by clicking here:   More of Wayne's art.
 

Becoming Modern

 
I have only recently become a modern man by purchasing this modern machine--a computer. I wish that I had done this years ago. I have been living a third world sort of existence of land lines and snail mail.

I am gradually building a gallery and I hope that you will come back to see the paintings that I will be hanging (or should I say posting). Thank you for visiting. Wayne

Many of the places that I paint continue to resist becoming modern. If you don't hear from me right away, it's only because I'm still looking for the portal [ free wifi in my tent?].

Beginnings

 
If I were to choose (personally), there is one painting that has always stood alone in the entire body of my work. When other professionals list decisions, opportunities, or accomplishments that have shaped their lives and careers, I only have this one small painting as credential. Today, as when I painted it for my Grandmother years ago, it remains the North Star for my vision. I was born with a gift that GOD gave me, and it has always been my pleasure. Beauty continues to be the exclusive subject of my brushstroke, because it was evidence of GOD'S creative hand in my heart and in the face of every other adversity that would strive to say otherwise. My talent was not inherited (there are no other artists in my family tree), nor am I a self-made man as this small painting, done at age 5, makes obvious.
 

More about the artist

I have been painting pictures professionally for 30 years. The most prestigious exhibition of paintings that I have had the honor of participating in was a group show of paintings for ART FOR THE PARKS. My painting of Mather Point, Grand Canyon, was exhibited in the SMITHSONIAN to begin a year long national tour of museum venues.

      I have had the privilege of being a part of several group shows that took museum tours nationally, but only this show began with an exhibition in the Smithsonian.

My Photographic Team

 

Some of the views that I have chosen to make a painting of are at the top or bottom of a very challenging commute, after which I'm totally out of breath; but the view from my office is always incredibly breathtaking as well. AM I BLESSED OR WHAT? WHAT A JOB! I'd rather be painting a picture than swinging a golf club (you don't want to see my golf swing, it's not very pretty), or holding a fishing pole (although I think I can tell a story about the fish that got away with the best of them). I hope you find the view from Wayne's world interesting.

I would like to thank the excellent photographers that I have met along the trail; they make everything much more interesting.

Painting in the Grand Canyon

This photograph of me painting Bright Angel Trail was taken by the most entertaining man from Chenle, AZ. He was such interesting company walking down the trail. I was carrying my gear; he was carrying a huge cooler of cold lemonade for the young men that he had brought to the Canyon for a vision quest. They had begun at the top of the Kaibab Trail that morning, walked to the river's edge and came back up the Bright Angel that same day. When I got to where I was painting, he decided to wait for them there. If anyone came up the trail without complimenting my work, he would ask, "So, how do you like his painting? I'm his coach." I think some paintings are more difficult, a cheering section helps, and sometimes I need a coach bringing lemonade and a sense of humor to finish the really tough ones.

My favorite girls

 




These are some of my favorite paintings that I've made. Some of them were commissioned, some are paintings that I made for myself. Each of them became precious to me. They are my "favorite girls".

FAQ

As I paint my pictures in public streets, beaches, and parks, the most commonly asked question is "Did you start that picture today?" When I answer that some of my paintings require more than one season to complete because the weather has not cooperated, the most frequent comment that I get is, "Why didn't you just take a picture?" Painting a picture is a challenging endeavor every day, but some days more than others. I hope that I was friendly when we met, but if you did find me on a more artistically-challenged day, thank you that you saw something that was of enough interest that you decided to find this website. I really do enjoy talking to people most of the time. The cloistered studio existence holds very little appeal for me.