An American Celebration: The Art of Charles Wysocki - Softcover

Warm, heartfelt, unabashedly American, the paintings of Charles Wysocki - one of America's most beloved and successful artists - celebrate the hard work and quiet pleasures of American country in its early days of gladness and innocence. No artist, writes The Boston Globe "captures the warmth and charm of early American life" like Wysocki. And today that appeal is stronger than ever. AN AMERICAN CELEBRATION, the book that sold 118,000 copies in hard cover is now in paperback, with a new introduction by Thomas Kinkade. AN AMERICAN CELEBRATION's 200-plus paintings portray the joys of America. Whether depicting a cosy New England bay or a busy Amish valley, the artist mixes whimsy and sentiment. His brush sets flags awave and spirits soaring. His paintings - of quilting bees, clambakes, country fairs and one-room schoolhouses - are a testament to the charm of small towns and good neighbours, and the resilience of Yankee ingenuity and pioneer pride. The text by Betty Ballantine embellishes the artist's sense of time and place, and offers a further look into the lore, history, innovations and accomplishments of America.

I feel the greatness and beauty of America, and in it an endless source of inspiration for my paintings. -Charles Wysocki

In over 200 glorious full-color works, Charles Wysocki portrays the joy of Early America. Whether he is depicting a cozy New England bay or a busy Amish Valley, the artist mixes whimsy and warmth; his brush sets flags awave and spirits soaring, and his paintings-of the quilting bees, clambakes, country fairs, and one-room schoolhouses of bygone days-shine with gladness and innocence.

Rejoicing in the hard work and quiet pleasures of nineteenth-century life, Wysocki fills his canvasses with quaint bridges, plowed fields, horses and sleighs. He delights in detail-"Caleb's Buggy Barn" shows carriagemakers involved in every aspect of their crucial trade, "Fawn Dell" finds farmers tending to the painstaking process of maple sugaring.

An American Celebration is the first album of Wysocki's art. Packed with images of comfort, order, and promise, it is a memorable vision, a testament to the charm of small town and good neighbors and the resilience of Yankee ingenuity and pioneer pride. Text by Betty Ballantine embellishes the artist's sense of time and place, offering a further look into the lore, history, innovations, and accomplishments of our great country.