About Us

History

Richard Pranulis and Vivian Reynolds began silk-screening in 1971, designing and printing a 1972 calendar inspired by the beauty of the West Virginia mountains. They printed the calendar by hand in small editions each year until a silk-screen press was purchased. Screen printing continued for over twenty years, with Richard and Vivian sharing art work and production. Richard managed printing as well as the growing business with the help of a skilled and loyal staff.

A switch was made to four-color process printing in 1993, and calendar images were then based exclusively on Vivian's oil paintings. In 2011, artist Rhea Knight was invited to assist in creating artwork for the calendar. When Richard and Vivian decided to retire from the business in 2018, they sold Wolf Creek Printery to Rhea and her husband, Jason, though Vivian continues to paint and contribute her beautiful work to the calendar.

2024 Calendar Artists

Vivian Reynolds

Born in Charleston, West Virginia, Vivian has been drawing and painting since childhood. While studying nursing at Alderson Broaddus College in Philippi, West Virginia, she had the good fortune to take art with Herbert Waters, master wood-engraver, who was a great source of inspiration.

After working as an RN for a few years, Vivian decided to pursue her calling as an artist. It was then that she met Richard Pranulis, and they began working together to create Wolf Creek Printery. For many years, Vivian's oil paintings have been the basis for the Wolf Creek Calendar.

Contact: www.vivianreynoldsartist.com

Rhea Knight

A lifelong resident of rural West Virginia, Rhea has always felt drawn to the wilderness, and this love of wild places is reflected in her artwork. An avid hiker, she gains inspiration for her landscape and wildlife paintings through backcountry travels in her native Appalachia.

Rhea's work has been exhibited in numerous national and international juried shows. She is a signature member of both the National Oil and Acrylic Painters' Society and the National Society of Artists. Galleries showing her paintings include the David L. Dickirson Fine Art Gallery at Tamarack "The Best of West Virginia" in Beckley, WV.

Contact: www.yessy.com/rheaknight

Janet Ripper Chambers

Janet grew up beside the easel of her wildlife artist father, Chuck Ripper, and accompanied him on field trips throughout the country and to the mountains of her West Virginia home. Her love of painting led her to earn the first Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Marshall University. Janet's work ranges from award-winning miniatures to large-scale public art projects. Time spent outdoors inspires her to create paintings of landscapes, birds, and wildflowers.

Janet's passion for art enables her to foster creativity in others. She conducts workshops for both adults and children.

Contact: janetchambersartworks@gmail.com

Mike Lieving

Mike Lieving discovered his love of art at a young age. Completing his first painting around the age of 10, he continued to paint for many years while engaged in a successful banking career. Now retired, he has more time to explore his creative side, producing artwork inspired by the wild and bucolic nature of his home state of West Virginia.

In addition to painting and drawing, Mike enjoys fishing, being out in nature, and spending time with family, which includes his wife and high school sweetheart, Holly, their two children (and spouses), and four awesome granddaughters. He divides his time between New Haven in Mason County and Samp in Webster County, WV.

Dinah McCloud

Dinah McCloud grew up in the southern coalfields of Logan County, West Virginia. Loving the outdoors and nature, she has been drawing animals since childhood. After her children were raised, she began painting seriously and spending time traveling through the wild wonderful hills of West Virginia in search of subjects, sometimes finding them in her own backyard!

Dinah has had numerous paintings of her wildlife subjects published in the West Virginia DNR wildlife calendars through the years. Her artistic endeavors are greatly supported by her loving, minister husband.