Keith Wicks: Coming to a wall near you

Call it kismet, or a series of fortunate events. Whichever the case, local artist Keith Wicks was astonished to discover one of his paintings displayed in renowned anime director Hayao Miyazaki’s Ghibli Studio – where such acclaimed films as “My Neighbor Totoro,” “Kiki’s Delivery Service,” “Princess Mononoke” and the Oscar-winning “Spirited Away” were brought to life.

Often dubbed the “Walt Disney of Japan” – and one of Wick’s personal heroes – Miyazaki’s studio is part of the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, west of Toyko.

Wicks says the painting was originally purchased as a gift for Miyazaki by John Lasseter, himself a Wicks’ collector.

“Seeing ‘Old Green Truck’ hanging among the magical anime and zoetropes in the fascinating Ghibli Museum, and as part of Hayao’s permanent collection, made my day, my week, my year,” said Wicks.

As Wicks readies himself for an art show at Bump Cellars and the 17th annual Sonoma Plein Air Festival – an event Wicks helped found – he reflected on all that’s happened since 2002 when the Sonoma Plein Air Foundation launched its annual outdoor art festival that raises money for art education in public schools.

“We’ve raised and paid out $1.5 million for art in our schools,” Wicks told the Index-Tribune.

Indeed, there are literally hundreds of local school students who would have been either without – or with very little – art instruction if it weren’t for Wicks and Sonoma Plein Air.

“It’s especially gratifying to have one of the students speak at the (festival) gala and talk about how art has changed their life for the better,” said Wicks.

For some kids, he says, art helps them fit in and feel worthwhile.

“For all students art appreciation, be it painting, drawing, music, etc., teaches them to work from the heart as well as the brain,” Wicks said.

Sonoma Plein Air funding supports art education for students in all schools throughout the Sonoma Valley – as well programs at the Sonoma Community Center, the Sonoma Valley Museum of Art and more. According to festival officials, 40 percent of the purchase price of each painting sold at the festival goes toward art education.

This year’s festival takes place from Sept. 10 through 14 and will bring 35 nationally acclaimed artists to Sonoma for one week to paint, show and sell their work. The festival culminates with its annual gala, this year at the Barn at Tyge William Cellars on Friday, Sept. 13, starting at 5:30 p.m.

Wicks is also currently the featured artist in a show at Bump Wine Cellars. The show features new works from his recent visit to Tokyo and Kyoto. There is a meet-the-artist reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21 at Bump at 521 Broadway.

Wicks’ work can be found on walls near and far. Local residents Gary and Marcia Nelson commissioned a series of paintings of the Smuin Ballet for their dance studio; the Ronnie Lott Foundation purchased Wicks’ work to give as gifts to the performers; and singer-songwriter Jackson Browne has a painting of himself performing in Cuba.

And in the U.S. Capitol hangs a painting of Wicks’ cousin – House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

Despite his success, Wicks prefers to keep it all in perspective.

“In the end, it’s about students and art in our schools,” said Wicks. “Right now, I’m excited about the Bump show, this year’s Plein Air, the gala and, of course, the students.”