The family that paints together: Morgan Weistling; his wife, JoAnn Peralta; and their daughter, Brittany Weistling.
JoAnn Peralta
Born and Raised
Fourth-generation Southern Californian on my father’s side, third-generation on my mother’s. I was raised in in Downey, California.
Grace
First Artistic Inklings
My kindergarten teacher told my mom I was going to be an artist because I only wanted to paint while the other kids played. I paid attention to details in the human form. I drew fingernails, with actual fingers, and eyes with pupils, etc. while all the other kids did stick figures.
Mentors and Influences
My mom took me to the public library as a young girl. My favorite was van Gogh, then Caravaggio, da Vinci, and Michelangelo. In high school I knew more than the art teacher so he let me do whatever I wanted. I stopped my art class in junior college because he also wasn’t as informed or able to draw as well as myself (which wasn’t saying much). So [my influences were] mainly masters from books and art history books. Later I learned illustration techniques from Morgan Weistling, but mostly the great illustrators of the golden age of illustration and Andrew Loomis. Also, a few good teachers in the art trade school that taught perspective and color theory. I had two classes with Burne Hogarth, which was incredible.
Best Advice
“Don’t get caught up in entering art contests to win awards. Just focus on doing great paintings.” — Morgan Weistling
My Art
My style is Western Americana with a Spanish or European flair. My fine art genre: contemporary, impressionist realist (CIR).
Spanish Shawl II, winner of the Artistic Choice Award, Masters of the American West show, Autry Museum, 2019
Studio
Presidential, mini-barn with custom loft, large custom north-light window; very Spanish, pirate, Western/European feel.
Process
My process varies depending on the desired look.
What do you hope people see and experience in your art?
My goal is to communicate to the viewer the sense of wonder I experience as I study the subjects I am painting. From the historical significance to the beauty of how light can bring a story to life, my hope is that others will enjoy living with a painting for many years.
Cherished Gift
Current Work
Epic paintings mostly, and delving into sculpture.
The West and the Work
I have always, only painted the West as it has pertained to my heritage contributing to Western culture. The West is eclectic and always has been. It’s the blending of cultures that have contributed to the American story throughout the generations.
Plein-Air Preferences
Many, but focusing on Southwestern territories.
Peace in the Valley, Treaty Between The Kitchens Ranch, and Cochise, Tucson, 1873
Gallery Representation
Trailside Gallery, Jackson, Wyoming; and InSight Gallery, Fredericksburg, Texas. Maybe another soon.
Upcoming Shows
Autry Masters of the American West Exhibition & Sale 2021; and Small Works, Great Wonders at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma CIty; Fall Auction in Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Trailside Galleries Summer Show in July, 2020 Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Parting Thoughts
I paint under my grandmother’s surname, Peralta, to pay her homage. I have so much gratitude for my collectors who have allowed me the opportunity to express my talents in this way and I am forever grateful and keep them in my prayers. I also am blessed with an amazing family.
Heart of the West
Find Her Online
You can visit her website, or find her on Facebook and Instagram.
Brittany Weistling
Born and Raised
I was born in and have lived in Southern California my whole life. I grew up in a family of artists, so the greatest art schooling I could have received was being an “apprentice” to [my father] Morgan Weistling and [my mother] JoAnn Peralta. When I was 16, I was invited to be in the Masters of the American West Art Exhibition and Sale and have participated in it every year since. That was my first step into the professional world of fine art. Since then, I’ve been invited to participate in other annual shows: Small Works, Great Wonders at the National Cowboy Museum in Oklahoma and The Great American West show at Settler’s West Galleries in Arizona.
Fall Traditions
First Artistic Inklings
Parents can only influence their child to an extent to take their same path, but in my case, I naturally gravitated toward drawing, painting, and sculpture without any push to do so. I was certainly lovingly encouraged by my parents, and taught artistically at a young age, but it was ultimately from my natural passion for creating art that I pursued it immediately. My first creations as a kid I can remember were tiny miniature sculptures of animals, cartoon characters, and objects. I was probably around 5 or 6. Growing up, I would carefully draw whatever I was into at the time, whether it be horses or fantastical characters from books and movies. Oil painting came along as a young teenager when I got more serious about making a career out of it. I’m 25 now.
Mentors and Influences
Like I said, my parents were my greatest art teachers, but I’ve done my own share of self-teaching as well. The best places to learn are found in good old-fashioned art books. I use Pinterest as a tool to gather inspiration too, but art books by artists like Andrew Loomis and Richard Schmid have been invaluable. A few of my greatest influences have been Johannes Vermeer, John Singer Sargent, Rembrandt, John Waterhouse, and Alphonse Mucha all for different reasons.
Best Advice
The best painting advice I’ve been given is “Squint when you’re painting!” That’s more of a technical tip. Another would be to make sure I like my reference even before I start painting, because if you’re not excited about your subject, it’s not gonna get much better when you start painting it. You’ll lose steam and motivation immediately. Find a subject that inspires you for whatever reason and the process will be fun and more likely end with a painting you’re proud of.
A Quiet Morning
My Art
I would describe my art as Old World and depicting beauty in antiquity. Technically speaking, my art is representational realism.
Studio
I work in a room that isn’t the size of a full studio, but as long as I have an easel, palette by my side, and loads of drawers for oil paint and brushes, I’m just fine. I work surrounded by open art books, reference images, and sketches I’ve done for each piece I’m working on.
Process
For still lifes, I take plenty of time to set the still life up to get everything just right before I start painting. I always have music playing while I work, since I don’t like to work in silence for hours on end. I collect vinyl records and have placed my turntable at the other end of my studio to play whatever LP record I’m in the mood for: plenty of Hans Zimmer, classical, and ’70s folk and progressive rock.
Bed of Gold
What do you hope people see and experience in your art?
I would hope when someone sees my art, they would feel a certain mood from the color palette and lighting I choose for each piece. I want to evoke a strong sense of mood and drama even if it’s just caused by how the light describes what’s going on in the painting. I would say my art usually pays homage to classical works in some way.
Current Work
I am currently working on multiple still lifes, each with its own unique elements and color palette. I never get tired of arranging beautiful flowers and finding objects and fruit that pair well to give the painting a strong harmony. I also plan to delve more into the historical and literary side of my work and make use of authentic costumes and objects I’ve collected.
The West and the Work
I like to find creative ways to incorporate my love of Western art and Americana into my work. I may not be overt about it in every painting, but for paintings of mine like Nana’s Recipe and Three Sisters as an example, I like to tell stories about the Old West in my own way by using objects and foods in a still life, or by using clothing and props in my figurative paintings.
Plein-Air Preferences
One of my favorite places to visit is the Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens [in San Marino, California]. I’ll take a sketch book or do a watercolor sitting amongst my favorite gardens. I also love painting in Carpinteria and Monterey overlooking the coast.
Patricia's Roses
Gallery Representation
InSight Gallery in Fredericksburg, Texas.
Upcoming Shows
InSight Gallery's Annual Fall Show 2020, and the Masters of the American West sale at the Autry Museum in the beginning of 2021.
Find Her Online
My website is brittanyweistling.com. You can contact me from there with any inquiries about available work or questions about commissions. Follow me on Instagram to see the latest paintings I’m working on and for updates about upcoming shows.
Images courtesy the artists
