Rendered in careful, nearly photographic realism, Wilde's half-frozen stream winds gently through a light-dappled snowy canyon. The time of day seems to be shifting, with long shadows stretching across the scene. Bare aspens line the bank, and brush pokes through the snow. A few trees glow bright chartreuse and provide a lovely contrast, hinting that the season, like the light, is also changing.
Vern Dee Wilde was born and raised in Coalville. He started oil painting at the age of 39, first finding time for art while recovering from a heart attack while living in California. Wilde was mostly selftaught, learning from books and perfecting his craft through trial and error. Years later, after returning to Coalville, he took art lessons from Jo McGregor in Woodland. A few years later he established the "Oil Wall," an art studio at his home where he studied and taught oil painting. He became a member of the Western Art Guild and exhibited his paintings throughout Utah and Colorado. Around that time he also volunteered to oversee the Summit County Art Show for several years, bringing in judges from the Western Art Guild to judge local artists. Vern also volunteered yearly during the Kimball Art Festival in Park City. His oil paintings and watercolors were exhibited at the Kimball Art Center for years and examples of his work remain in the Kimball's permanent collection. Summit County and the State of Utah also collected Wilde's paintings and continue to exhibit his work.
1993 Council Award Commission
