Jon & Jona Van Zyle
Artists’ Statement
Jon Van Zyle
Art is Jon’s life and Alaska, all Alaska, has been his inspiration. Artist Jon Van Zyle has seen more of Alask in a much more unique way than most can ever hope to experience. Jon has twice completed the 1049 miles of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race between Anchorage and Nome. From these adventures he has created the yearly Iditarod poster series commemorating the race ad his involvemnt. In 1979 he was made the official Iditarod artist, a title he still holds today. In 2004 he was inducted into the Iditarod Hall of Fame.
His acrylic paintings go beyond the race though, and encompass so much of the Alaska beauty. Jon is a storyteller through his art. Dog teams, landscapes, wildlife, Alaskan faces from native to newcomer, portray an intimacy with the land and it’s people. He touches on history with the studies of Alaskan pioneers and native traditions and lore recording the Alaskan spirit.
Jon’s art career has spanned over 3 decades. Prolific artist, he produces numerous paintings a year for one-man exhibitions in the United States as well as Europe. Illustrating at least two children’s books a year since 1993 for prestigious publishers has earned him a reputation with a younger audience as well as many awards for his children’ art.
Jona Van Zyle
Jona has had many facets in her art life. Her longtime love of wildlife and sled dogs has greatly influenced her life. From 1985-1997, Jona was the assistant curator of the Balto Sled Dog exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History in Ohio. Cleveland is the home of Balto, the lead dog from the last relay team of the 1925 Serum Run. She continued that work with the Anchorage Museum of History and Art for several years.
Jona’s interest in ceramics, metal casting, and graphic design as well as her work as a sailmaker honed her sewing interest and skills.
By their small nature, beads and art made from beads will draw you nearer to look, inspect and reflect. The word “bead” comes from the ancient word “bede” which means prayer. Each creation becomes a meditation and the creative process is as important to me as the end product. So by creating beaded works of art, I am connected to the work of thousands before me. My hands follow a familiar rhythm from the collective history of beadwork, creating something new, one bead at a time.
Each container is one-of-a-kind, taking 30-80 hours of hand sewing to complete. The lamp-work glass sculpture/bead tops are custom made for each piece and sit on top of two layers of laminated leather with detailed beadwork completing all the edges.