Visual Language Magazine Contemporary Fine Art Vol 3 no 9

Burke feels that his Western art, more than other subjects, allows
him to include a captivating level of detail that not only
interests viewers, but “evokes emotions in the form of pride—
deep pride earned from hard work, calluses, and lives well
lived,” he says. “If you can make someone proud of themselves
by what you have created, then you have created
something more than art, something you can be proud of. This
is the greatest payoff for an artist.” Though his portfolio covers
a large number of subjects rendered in a variety of media,
these Western graphite illustrations remain Burke’s favorites,
the pieces that readily evoke that sense of pride.
If Burke’s future is uncertain, his sense of purpose has not faltered.
“My hopes are to create works of art of a quality worthy
of being collected by an appreciative audience, and to earn a
living through my art,” he says. “Regardless of what happens,
I will continue to grow as an artist, and creating art will remain
part of my life’s passion.”
Very recently, Burke’s long-lost son was located. Now, in addition
to saving for his own freedom someday, the artist has
taken the long view of helping to put his child through college
and saving for any future grandchildren. With this in mind, he
advises that anyone wishing to support his artistic endeavors
should feel free to write a favorable letter to the Texas Parole
Board.
“I’ve always wanted to live my life as a good father and husband,”
Burke says, “and hopefully someday, when I pass away,
I could do so knowing that I was loved and had loved, and that I
had done my best to achieve things to be proud of.”
A survey of his work—of the open plains of the Old West, as
glimpsed from the cell of a penitent man—shows that he’s well
down that trail already.
http://www.artbyjwburke.com/
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