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WBM october 2020
Detail of Untitled, 8 x 10 feet, acrylic.
P E T A W A N L I S S
THE renaissance is alive and well in the work of Peta
Wanliss. No detail is spared in her intricate ren-derings
that blend the magical and the real
into striking paintings that captivate the
viewer. Every inch of Wanliss’s canvases
is covered with ornate surprises.
At 23, Wanliss is at the beginning of what looks
to be a very promising career. She has already
established herself as a skilled painter, muralist,
and comic book artist. She has no classical train-ing,
but it’s not evident from the work she cre-ates.
While her pieces often have magical themes,
the paintings themselves are well-oiled machines,
complex equations of composition, color, and line-work.
Her dedication to her craft serves as an example
to her generation of just how far patience and hard work
can get you.
Originally from Jamaica, Wanliss now lives in downtown
Wilmington where she is heavily involved in the art and comic book community.
“My dream is to be a professional artist and to make a name for myself in the art
world,” Wanliss said. “I would like to influence my generation to reach their fullest
potential, but I know I have a long way to go.”
Detail of Lunas Paradise, 38 x 16 inches, acrylic.