Established March 2, 2021

Art is a way to tell a story with pictures instead of words. It is a language that describes ideas. The artist speaks through the work that maybe develops a dialogue with a viewer. If the image causes that mental conversation, it might be understood, but perhaps not, so the effort to refine the message continues. My influences include every painting I have ever seen. Sometimes, it is a study of brushwork, sometimes as a measure against my own efforts. I paint because I must. My work has been figurative, representational in some way. The use of identifiable subject is probably more of a guidepost to measure results. The occasional episode of abstract t work is probably more as an exploration with the medium. I have read that creativity is the conscious choice to allow oneself to play. There may be something to it. As when I paint, I find myself going to a place I compare to the sandbox and toys of my youth. Art for me is an intense, adrenaline-infused process. When people ask if I find painting relaxing, I can say very clearly that the answer is no. So much time has been wasted but perhaps that is part of the process. The work is ready when it is ready. I AM PUSHING PAINT IN A HURRY NOW, TO CATCH UP. I USE ACRYLIC PAINT BECAUSE THOSE DRY RAPIDLY AND CAN BE HANDLED. MAYBE THE WORK WILL BE READY SOON. IT IS TIME My Art History I grew up in the Chicago area and high school art class started the discovery. It was then that I realized there were colors like Alizarin Crimson and something called linseed oil. I owe much to Leonard Madura, my high school art teacher who was filled with a passion for his field that I had never seen in a teacher, in any subject. My college major was Art at Augustana College where I studied under Egon Weiner and Clayton Gorder. I exhibited in the Container Corporation of America Show and provided campus drawings for various publications. After college that was a time of teaching art in a public a school. Responsibilities intervened and I began a career in banking. I earned an MDA from the University of Iowa. There were showings in the Quad Cities and participation in the Beau Arts Fair, but art became an occasional thing for so many years. I lived and worked in the Ravenswood area in Chicago for several years and had the opportunity to Take CLASSES at Lillstreet Art Center. During that time, I was invited to serve on the advisory board of ARC Gallery. My work was shown in Around the Coyote and Chicago Art Open. The Ravenswood Art & Industry Walk drew my participation. It was during this time that the group incorporate, became a 501c3 and I had the good fortune to serve as Charter President. My professional life required travel across the country. Small, easily transportable canvas that allowed me to document those travels with landscape paintings. There was a showing of them in Kansas. In addition to the painting, I was able to serve as a Business Volunteer for the Arts, with the Arts and Business Council of Chicago. This allowed me to work with many groups to develop their internal processes. Thank you to everyone who has helped me to improve my skills, see you again soon. Bill