"Impressionistic realism - The Countryside comes alive with a flick of Roger Witmer's brush"
For Roger Witmer, becoming a professional artist was something he'd always wanted.
"I've been painting or drawing as long as I can remember," he said.
Today, Witmer is well known for his distinctive oil paintings, depicting local heritage and rural life. However, he was in his late 20s before he began selling paintings.
Born in 1944, Witmer grew up in Waterloo. His family has deep roots in Waterloo Region, having settled in the area in the 1800s.
At the age of 14, he took a two-year correspondence course in commercial art. His ambition was to be another Normal Rockwell. That did not quite work out as he'd planned, but he continued to enjoy art.
Witmer later took painting lessons from artist Mike Roth, and started doing weekend shows. When people started buying his paintings, Witmer began to take a serious look at art as a career.
"I always wanted to be an artist, and I saw the potential," he said. "And I saw that Roth was making a living at it."
That was in 1971. Witmer spent ten years doing weekend shows before he opened his first gallery in Kitchener in 1981.
Eventually, he realized that he could not keep up with the demand for his paintings, and began to sell reproductions as well.
In 1991, Witmer opened his second gallery in St. Jacobs. After one year of operating two galleries, he knew that the St. Jacobs location was enough.
"It was such a good spot, we closed the other," he said. "People had to find us in Kitchener, but here, they're falling over us."
The Witmer gallery continues to attract visitors from around the world, many of whom are looking for a momento of their visit.
Witmer's work is steeped in the traditions of Waterloo County. He enjoys painting rural scenes, horses, and Mennonites.
"That's my heritage, so I like painting that," he said.
Witmer also finds much inspiration in architecture, and has painted many fine old local buildings.
Whatever the subject, a good deal of thought is required. Witmer is always doodling, and sketching things that catch his interest. His paintings typically begin as a rough idea sketched in pencil. Some ideas never get further that this.
Once he knows what he wants to paint, Witmer will look for reference material, searching his files for photographs and even going out to take pictures and make sketches.
"There is a lot of research before I start painting," he said.
Witmer describes his painting style as "impressionistic realism." His work is detailed, but in a "painterly"way, without too much tight detail.
Roth taught Witmer a more impressionistic style of painting, and a great deal about colour and texture. Gradually, Witmer was able to integrate this with his own drawing skills to perfect a unique style of his own.
He was not even aware of what he had done until people started recognizing his work as a "Roger Witmer painting." People were also seeing his influence in the work of his students.
Witmer has given lessons in oil painting since 1978, after friends had suggested it. He was hesitant at first.
"I didn't think what I was doing was unique," he said.
Witmer still teaches, although he has cut back on the time he spends doing it.
He has experimented with other ways to teach, however. In 1994, he produced his first instructional video, called Anyone Can Learn to Paint, something Witmer truly believes. He understood that one of the things preventing more people from taking an art class was the fear that they couldn't paint well, and would look foolish.
"With the video, they can prove to themselves they can paint a picture at home, by themselves, without anyone being around."
In his video, Witmer instructs three students in painting a simple monochromatic landscape, giving those painting along an opportunity for comparison.
Witmer is continuing this type of work with instructional booklets.
Anyone can enjoy oil painting for pleasure, but for those who wish to make it a career, Witmer offers one piece of advice.
"Make sure you have a market before you get into the business," he said.
Witmer was fortunate to become an artist when there was not so much competition. Today, artists are everywhere and marketing is everything. Witmer has seen good work marketed poorly and poorer work marketed extremely well.
"I sure wouldn't want to get into it now," he said.
Roger Witmer's work can be viewed at his downtown St. Jacobs gallery.
(Special thanks to Andy Campbell for giving his permission to reprint this article on our website.)