Nelson Mandela Painting

The artist/author was born in rural, North Carolina. His interest in the visual arts developed early when he attempted to duplicate a drawing which his brother had bought home as a school assignment. While attending public school there, he was also exposed to the power of books and the written word. These experiences later inspired him to pursue writing as well as the visual arts. As an author/illustrator, he self-published his first children’s book in 2006, entitled “The Adventures of Joey Zee.” His second children’s title; “O’ Mista’ Whadda’ Wata’ Bug” was published in 2009. His latest title, "Little Carly: The American White Pelican" was recently published in e-book format and may be downloaded at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other distributors under the pseudonym W. O. Wainwright. As a self-taught commissioned artist; his life’s work covers a span of over 40 years. And while he has worked with a number of different mediums in this time, today he prefers to work with acrylics and oils on canvas. As an illustrator, he is an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and The Writer's Guild of America.