A sense of mystery and mood envelops the paintings of Phillip Wikoff.  Rooted in a love of history and tradition, his work captures the architectural and emotional richness of America 's landscapes.  Praised for his historical detail and architectural realism, he is widely known for intriguing paintings of historical sites enshrouded by winter's snowbound silence.

Individuals, corporations and institutions throughout the United States , Canada , Australia , Hong Kong , Germany , Belgium , England and Japan collect Mr. Wikoff’s paintings.  The demand for his paintings is such that he has been issuing limited-edition prints since 1983.

Raised on an Iowa farm, where he cultivated his attachment to the land, Mr. Wikoff developed an interest in art as a young boy.  He attended the University of Delaware , where he completed a B.S. degree in graphic design and advertising, along with an equal number of credits in fine art.  After graduation, he continued his studies in a variety of areas, including print-making, ceramics and architectural rendering.  In addition to forging a career as a painter, he has also worked as a graphic designer, art director and illustrator.

This eclectic background has equipped him with the versatility to view scenes and objects from many perspectives, and to work in a variety of media.  "I let every subject determine its own medium," he says, "based on several factors - the light, time of day, weather, season, or atmosphere.  A cold, hard day is an oil painting, but a dewy, soft spring morning is a watercolor.  The medium helps me capture a certain feeling."

Through the study of art history, Mr. Wikoff has been strongly influenced by great American and European artists, whether their works are realistic or abstract.  The dramatic use of light and the textures it creates is one of his unique signatures, enhanced by the challenging dimensions of his works, some of which are larger than 40 x 60 inches.

Mr. Wikoff has exhibited throughout the country and won several awards, such as the New Castle County Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year Award from 1986 to 1993, and Best of Show in several prominent group shows.  He has been chosen to exhibit in shows at the Delaware Art Museum , The University of Delaware, and the Society of Illustrators annual show in New York City .

Such companies and organizations as the DuPont Country Club, the Bank of Delaware, The McDonald’s LPGA Championship and the American Fund for Dental Health have commissioned Mr. Wikoff’s works.  Devoted to the community that surrounds his current home in Wilmington , Delaware , he has also donated several of his paintings to the fund-raising efforts of many charities including the American Cancer Society, the Leukemia Society, the American Diabetes Association, and Girls Inc.