Joe Ferrante

Joe Ferrante is a Maltese artist living in British Columbia, Canada. From an an early age, Joe has been portraying his love of art through his landscape paintings, and then went on to become one of Canada's top wildlife artist.

Born in Sliema, on the island of Malta, Europe, in 1951, Joe studied art at St. Patrick's school in Sliema, and after graduating with a diploma in art and degree in printing and design, Joe found employment with a local printing establishment as a graphic artist. While still residing on the island, Joe sold his early works, mainly landscape paintings, to tourists from his art gallery in Valletta.

In 1974, Joe and his new found wife Irene immigrated to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, where he continued to work as a graphic artist in various printing shops. Then in 1981, Joe and Irene decided to move up to Prince George, in northern British Columbia. Immediately, Joe started construction on his new home and studio, after purchasing twenty two acres of land in the rural area on the outskirts of Prince George. He immediately fell in love with the magnificent natural habitat and its abundant wildlife.

Joe was soon busy with his paint brush, and soon gained recognition, especially with the local collectors, for its detailed realistic approach. Living in British Columbia has given Joe Ferrante ample inspiration for his paintings. Joe has been painting wildlife for over 30 years working in an impressive array of mediums including oils, watercolors, gouache and his preferred acrylic.

He has won several awards from organizations such as Ducks Unlimited Canada, British Columbia Wildlife Federation, Guides & Outfitters of BC., and Chrysler Search for Canadian Artists.

Joe was selected the BC Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year for 2000 and 2005. "Chickadees and Crabapples" and was picked for 2000. "Red Breasted Sapsucker". He was also voted Artist of the Year 2004 by the Guides and Outfitters of BC for his stunning portrait "Eyes of the Hunter".

In the meantime Joe continues to paint during his spare time.

BC Wildlife FederationArtist of the Yearhttp://www.bcwf.bc.ca/documents/s=224/bcw1086717524702/

The Sportsman Guidehttp://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=232671

Art in Canadahttp://www.artincanada.com/cgi-bin/aic/aic.cgi?overlord=Search&aic_category=Canadian+Artists&page=10

AbsoluteART.comhttp://www.wwar.com/categories/Artists/Painting/Subject_Matter/Animals/Ants/index12.html

Artists In Canada.comhttp://www.artistsincanada.com/php/~wildlife.php

http://www.joeferrante.com/

ee also

*List of wildlife artists