One day I decided to look over a print from the original art piece titled "Evening Tow" . As I continued to look over the print, I begin to take notice and appreciate all the details I had placed into the painting and remembered the time it took me to work on the piece in three different state over the course of some 3 years.. First, in Little Rock AR in 2005, and later in Austin, TX in 2006 and finally in Memphis , TN of 2007.
During the course of working on "Evening Tow", I would have a concept in mind of how I wanted to depict the small river town and start the process of implementing the layout only to possess a dissatisfaction on the results and start the process all over again. I would work on the painting for a few days and set it aside to create a new painting and once I have an idea of the town theme come to mind, I would start working on the painting again. It would take me a series of some 3 to 4 tries before I would have a satisfied rendering.
"Evening Tow" is part of the Little River Town Series, in recognizing the importance of keeping small towns that line the Mississippi River alive and consuming a deep appreciation on the beauty of these communities. These painting are intended to keep the "American Spirit" preserved. It is important to know that many of these communities have yet to be discovered. It is also important to note that many of these small towns thrive off the Mighty Mississippi River through commerce and tourism. They are enriched with tradition and history.
"Evening Tow" was submitted in the American Printing House for the Bling "2009 Insight Art Competition for Blind and Visually Impaired Artists", an international art competition held each year in Louisville, KY. The painting placed 3rd out of some 400+ entries and it was my very first time entering the competition for some 17 yearsin existence. Gicless will be coming out soon on this painting with a limited edition of 100.
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Sunday, November 24, 2013
Evening Drive
It's very rare to hear someone say they love traffic, and so, I guess I am among the rare ones to say I love traffic. I find it very interesting to watch as individuals are sitting in their vehicles going nowhere fast, throwing hand gestures and yes, hearing the French that come out of their mouths. Hopefully, prayer for forgiveness will follow. As an artist, I enjoy studying how they go about manicuring their cars and trucks out of one land into another hoping to gain an inch closer to their destination. Of course, I have had my fair share of traffic jams, and believe me, it's no fun. Although, I'm the passenger and I usually find myself getting more frustrated than the driver do.
I decided to create "Evening Drive" as part of a new series titled appropriately the "Traffic Jam" series and will feature many original oil and acrylic paintings and a few limited edition prints. "Evening Drive" was created due an evening trip with a family member and watching the sun peaking through the trees, as well as viewing the traffic. I felt a desire to capture that moment on canvas. The painting took me a few weeks to complete due to the drying time of the oils and layering the painting until I was satisfied that I had the right amount of color in the art piece.
I decided to create "Evening Drive" as part of a new series titled appropriately the "Traffic Jam" series and will feature many original oil and acrylic paintings and a few limited edition prints. "Evening Drive" was created due an evening trip with a family member and watching the sun peaking through the trees, as well as viewing the traffic. I felt a desire to capture that moment on canvas. The painting took me a few weeks to complete due to the drying time of the oils and layering the painting until I was satisfied that I had the right amount of color in the art piece.
Friday, November 15, 2013
Thursday, November 14, 2013
Creative Insight: Creating Wih Stargardt's Disease
Creative Insight: Creating Wih Stargardt's Disease: Being an artist with Stargardt's Disease does have its challenges and getting around is no easy picnic. I've had Stargarddt's Di...
Friday, October 18, 2013
Creating Wih Stargardt's Disease
Being an artist with Stargardt's Disease does have its challenges and getting around is no easy picnic. I've had Stargarddt's Disease since birth and no it's not catching. However, it does affect the macular which starts to deteriorate during your early teens and stabilizes in your mid twenties, in which, no light is allowed to reach the back of the eye and everything and I do mean everything you try to see is blurry, hint mid life crisis. I do have my challenge of moving about in semi dark areas and its also a daily requirement tor me to get in before dark, that's why I couldn't qualify to become Batman's sidekick I often have to poke fun at my situation or go crazy thinking about it. So, poking fun it is.
I always felt different at an earlier age and knew that I could never qualify to play sports like other teenage boys, usually the ball would end up winning, especially in football and basketball, trying to make touchdowns or layups was not a pretty sight and very often became painful with family members. I wanted to try it out with my family members first in order to get a feel for the sports and boy I got a feel alright. Taking shop was quite interesting as well, especially, when you see the first aid kit meeting you at the classroom door and your fellow classmates had already completed your projects for you. Somehow, I felt it was just a conspiracy going against me. However, I did try out for band and played the drums, no comment. I actually enjoyed being in the band. But, the band wasn't in me. In general, I felt the things I were trying out for were not meant for me to accomplish at all. So, while in junior high school, I wanted to take art. Unfortunately, it wasn't a go, for the instructor didn't think I could see well enough to do the assignments and despite how much I would fascinate other teachers and fellow students with my drawings, it was still no go for the art class. It would take me having to transfer to another junior high school to be afforded the opportunity to prove myself and learned new ways to create art.
Later, I would attend high school and really begin to shine and win a few art awards . I would go onto college and never try out for art. I felt I wanted to create my own techniques in painting and not try to imitate someone else techniques. I was never the type to go by the book when it came to creating art. I also believe having the freedom to paint the way I want to paint is truly freedom of expression. Eventually, I decided to take business courses for my degree in business management, I would sell both originals and prints of my art to faculty and students and make a little extra cash to take care of family and buy more art supplies. I did finally obtain a 2 year business degree and wanted to try something else.
As time marches forward, I would win more art awards, conduct a few art shows and make a few appearances on television and in the newspaper, I still felt I wasn't doing enough. I am now working in oils and wanted to see how well I can do. I have produced a few art pieces and it does take a little longer to complete a painting due to the details and small size. I am also planning to create much larger paintings resulting in less straining of my eyes.
I always felt different at an earlier age and knew that I could never qualify to play sports like other teenage boys, usually the ball would end up winning, especially in football and basketball, trying to make touchdowns or layups was not a pretty sight and very often became painful with family members. I wanted to try it out with my family members first in order to get a feel for the sports and boy I got a feel alright. Taking shop was quite interesting as well, especially, when you see the first aid kit meeting you at the classroom door and your fellow classmates had already completed your projects for you. Somehow, I felt it was just a conspiracy going against me. However, I did try out for band and played the drums, no comment. I actually enjoyed being in the band. But, the band wasn't in me. In general, I felt the things I were trying out for were not meant for me to accomplish at all. So, while in junior high school, I wanted to take art. Unfortunately, it wasn't a go, for the instructor didn't think I could see well enough to do the assignments and despite how much I would fascinate other teachers and fellow students with my drawings, it was still no go for the art class. It would take me having to transfer to another junior high school to be afforded the opportunity to prove myself and learned new ways to create art.
Later, I would attend high school and really begin to shine and win a few art awards . I would go onto college and never try out for art. I felt I wanted to create my own techniques in painting and not try to imitate someone else techniques. I was never the type to go by the book when it came to creating art. I also believe having the freedom to paint the way I want to paint is truly freedom of expression. Eventually, I decided to take business courses for my degree in business management, I would sell both originals and prints of my art to faculty and students and make a little extra cash to take care of family and buy more art supplies. I did finally obtain a 2 year business degree and wanted to try something else.
As time marches forward, I would win more art awards, conduct a few art shows and make a few appearances on television and in the newspaper, I still felt I wasn't doing enough. I am now working in oils and wanted to see how well I can do. I have produced a few art pieces and it does take a little longer to complete a painting due to the details and small size. I am also planning to create much larger paintings resulting in less straining of my eyes.
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| "Bountiful Tow" small print By Michael A. Williams
Uniquewanderx Online Art Gallery: http://www.uniquewanders.com
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Tuesday, October 15, 2013
The Creation of Mountain Truckers: A Bling Artist View
When I decided to create the painting “Mountain Truckers”, I wanted to do something to show my appreciation for the millions of men and women who get behind the wheel to transport the goods that make our lives easier everyday. Statistics show that truckers are responsible for transporting 80% of our economy and log in millions of millions each year to get those goods to us.
As I traveled down the highway from Memphis, Tennessee to San Antonio, Texas in 2003, I decided to conduct a little research on my own to see how many eighteen wheelers I could count during our tow day journey. On the first day of my research, I started at 9:00 am and stopped at 7:00 pm that same day. By then, I had already reached 3,000 and that was enough counting for me once we reached Dallas.
The next day, I would start up the count at 8:00 am leaving Dallas. At noon, I had already counted 1,000 rigs and we still had a way to go before we would reach our final destination. after stopping for gas, restroom breaks and resting periods, we finally reached San Antonio around 9:00 pm. I had already stopped counting at 7:00 pm because it was getting dark and my eyesight was preventing me from finishing up the count. Already, I had made it to 6,000. The next morning I would tally up my count and found that I counted 9,000 trucks on the highway and that was from them heading east on the interstate.
I had also counted 2 jackknifed trucks and that was surprising itself for I had never witness a eighteen wheeler laying on its side before. I usually see it on television and that was as close I was able to see them.
I also had truck drivers in my family involving my dad who passed away when I was a teenager and my stepdad who was taking us to San Antonio that year.
It is usually a tradition for the oldest son to follow in the footsteps of his dad and take an interest in his dad’s career. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to do so due to my vision. So, I became a visually impaired artist and begin taking an interest in painting and still feel like I am carrying on the tradition in a different mode.
Uniquewanders Art Gallery and Studios- Online Art Gallery http://www.uniquewanders.com
As I traveled down the highway from Memphis, Tennessee to San Antonio, Texas in 2003, I decided to conduct a little research on my own to see how many eighteen wheelers I could count during our tow day journey. On the first day of my research, I started at 9:00 am and stopped at 7:00 pm that same day. By then, I had already reached 3,000 and that was enough counting for me once we reached Dallas.
The next day, I would start up the count at 8:00 am leaving Dallas. At noon, I had already counted 1,000 rigs and we still had a way to go before we would reach our final destination. after stopping for gas, restroom breaks and resting periods, we finally reached San Antonio around 9:00 pm. I had already stopped counting at 7:00 pm because it was getting dark and my eyesight was preventing me from finishing up the count. Already, I had made it to 6,000. The next morning I would tally up my count and found that I counted 9,000 trucks on the highway and that was from them heading east on the interstate.
I had also counted 2 jackknifed trucks and that was surprising itself for I had never witness a eighteen wheeler laying on its side before. I usually see it on television and that was as close I was able to see them.
I also had truck drivers in my family involving my dad who passed away when I was a teenager and my stepdad who was taking us to San Antonio that year.
It is usually a tradition for the oldest son to follow in the footsteps of his dad and take an interest in his dad’s career. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to do so due to my vision. So, I became a visually impaired artist and begin taking an interest in painting and still feel like I am carrying on the tradition in a different mode.
Uniquewanders Art Gallery and Studios- Online Art Gallery http://www.uniquewanders.com
Monday, October 14, 2013
My Art My Way
Being an artist does have its challenges. But, being a visually impaired artist possesses even bigger challenges itself . For start, its getting the art community to take you seriously as a professional artist. Second, its getting your work out there for the world to see. However, I have taken care of that via the internet and creating my own online art gallery. . It is technology that allows the world to see my creations and enjoy them. But, enough about that, allow me to bring your attention on why I became a visually impaired artist in the first place.
I do art to show individuals how I see the world through my limited vision and how I can utilize my imagination to fill in the gaps. It is my way of creating art and feel the satisfaction of being a professional visually impaired artist who refuse to accept any limits in being creative. I find that when I go beyond the parameters of creating art from within, I'm able to paint or draw freely. There are no need for rules here. I create the way I decide to create and I develop my own techniques to remain original.
Art is like a movie. you are the director whose objective is to create a work of art (the movie) to entertain, tell a story , wow the audience and keeping them interested. My art does that. My aim is to add a little spice to the mix by being visually impaired.
I started off working in pen and ink. Next, I would venture into watercolors, graduating to a bigger challenge of conquering acrylics, and recently, I decided to try an even bigger challenge by working in oil. I am always on the look out for ways to diversify my art, expand my interest and move people into a conversation concerning my disability and creations.
I keep my works inspirational I order to give GOD, himself, the credit for enabling me the ability to work as an artist and continue to move forward with my art. I have so much to be thankful for and so many stories to tell in my paintings. Some painting will have sceneries of places one can recognize and others will be sceneries that I imagine. It is often amazing that I can sit still for a few minutes and an image comes into my mind and I am instantly able to apply that image onto canvas or board .
I enjoy being a professional visually impaired artist. But, I am able to add "award winning" to the tile and feel good about my accomplishments, in which, I will share in another article. I will continue to show my works in art galleries and other public facilities whenever possible and I have my own online art gallery to be proud of as well
Uniquewanders Art Gallery and Studios- online art gallery http://www.uniuewanders.com
I do art to show individuals how I see the world through my limited vision and how I can utilize my imagination to fill in the gaps. It is my way of creating art and feel the satisfaction of being a professional visually impaired artist who refuse to accept any limits in being creative. I find that when I go beyond the parameters of creating art from within, I'm able to paint or draw freely. There are no need for rules here. I create the way I decide to create and I develop my own techniques to remain original.
Art is like a movie. you are the director whose objective is to create a work of art (the movie) to entertain, tell a story , wow the audience and keeping them interested. My art does that. My aim is to add a little spice to the mix by being visually impaired.
I started off working in pen and ink. Next, I would venture into watercolors, graduating to a bigger challenge of conquering acrylics, and recently, I decided to try an even bigger challenge by working in oil. I am always on the look out for ways to diversify my art, expand my interest and move people into a conversation concerning my disability and creations.
I keep my works inspirational I order to give GOD, himself, the credit for enabling me the ability to work as an artist and continue to move forward with my art. I have so much to be thankful for and so many stories to tell in my paintings. Some painting will have sceneries of places one can recognize and others will be sceneries that I imagine. It is often amazing that I can sit still for a few minutes and an image comes into my mind and I am instantly able to apply that image onto canvas or board .
I enjoy being a professional visually impaired artist. But, I am able to add "award winning" to the tile and feel good about my accomplishments, in which, I will share in another article. I will continue to show my works in art galleries and other public facilities whenever possible and I have my own online art gallery to be proud of as well
Uniquewanders Art Gallery and Studios- online art gallery http://www.uniuewanders.com
 |
| "Mountain Truckers" acrylic on canvas By Michael A. Williams |
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