Jo Ann Willis

The interaction of amber varnish, the brush, and my gesso board intrigues and fascinates me. I am able to sculpt with his mediums. The ability to paint layer over layer, and not disturb the under layer, without waiting for each layer to dry, allows more to be accomplished in one setting. And, his formulation allows this is all to be done with my canvas or board in a vertical position! The detail achieved using these mediums is amazing! This is important for me since I choose to paint in the manner of the Flemish Masters.

The many layers of colored glazes made with Amber Varnishes, both clear and dark, produce colors which are extraordinarily lustrous, vivid and ALIVE! It truly increases my ability to create a 3D world on a 2D surface. When speaking with other artists, there is no other medium I can recommend. For me, the Alchemist product line is pure LIQUID GOLD!

Additionally, I am so grateful for the wealth of information received from the Alchemist himself. His thoughtful and patient explanations ensured my proper use of his mediums and also enhanced my knowledge of artistic techniques. I sincerely attribute much of my creative growth and success to using the Alchemist product line, his book, “The Lost Secrets of Flemish Painting,” and more importantly, Mr. Fels' generously shared time, knowledge and understanding.

Jo Ann Willis

Biography

Jo Ann Willis is classically inspired and schooled in the techniques of the Baroque and Renaissance masters. In her early twenties, artistic renderings of life’s mysteries and the ancient wisdom teachings became an ardent pursuit, affirming, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”
The teen years provided several venues for designing commercial medical illustrations. Her adult painting experiences include tutoring handicapped children and adults, Private art instruction, and private commissions.
Jo Ann began a formal art education at the School of Visual Arts in New York City and is a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts graduate from the University of South Florida. Years of private instruction include an emphasis on color theory with Betty Blue, an Ecole des Beaux -art trained artist and teacher, and advanced classical academic oil painting with Frank Covino.
Jo Ann’s search for the lost methods of the old masters led to artist and ‘alchemist’ Donald Fels, author of “The Lost Secrets of Flemish Painting.” The following years of tutelage on master techniques and the use of his uniquely recreated mediums, ushered an intense phase of work. This career chapter produced master studies and reproductions of paintings by Peter Paul Rubens, Rembrandt, Michelangelo, Raphael and Bouguereau.
That effort combined with years of studies in Sacred Geometry and the Sacred Science directs her current interest. The extensive project proposes a series of visual statements portraying the human spirit and the states of consciousness encountered during its spiritual journey.

Oil painting reproduction of William-Adolphe Bouguereau’s “L’Amour et Psyché, enfants”
by Jo Ann Willis

Oil painting reproduction of Michelangelo’s “Tondo Doni”
by Jo Ann Willis