May 21, 2008

Introducing...


Hiram Williams, 1969

So there we were, our forth day of museum/gallery hopping around mid Florida, enjoying the whole process, but don't ask me to pinpoint exactly where we were (I don't do details anymore, just overviews!) I was immediately drawn to a small exhibition of large, near minimal paintings. You could tell something was there but it would take a couple of seconds to sort out an image... tree paintings were simply two shapely vertical lines with a background of pale flowing strokes suggesting palm frons. Said everything you needed to know about those trees.

Figures in this exhibition were handled much the same way. Wish I'd taken a few candid photos, but I was too busy looking. The alligator at the left is much the same style. The top image is part of a series of figures seen from above.

Linda mentioned that Hiram Williams had been one of her college art teachers. I noticed that he'd written a book and asked if she had a copy... she did and suggested I borrow it. "Notes For A Young Painter" is out of print but available through Abe Books. No need to quote from it as the words I latch on to are meant just for me and my particular puzzles but Painter's Keys has a few quotes. Thanks to Linda for finding this article for me... great overview.

Now... why would someone who is wondering how to wind down a long career be interested in 'notes for a young painter?' Well... funny you should ask... also funny that a young art student from Tulane recently emailed me for an answer (for a paper he was writing) as to how someone without a 'formal' education actually managed to have an art career! Just luck, maybe... or maybe a formal education is merely the beginning... a place where you go to learn how to learn. Maybe I still wish I'd had the advantage of instructors like Hiram Williams... maybe I'm still playing catch-up... maybe there's more... to learn...

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Karen,

Thanks for featuring H W. He was a wonderful teacher, and inspiration for so many---Seeing his work again has me thinking of changes in mine----

Linda S.

Annie B said...

WOW! These examples of Williams' work are wonderful! Of course, being overhead views, I see them as "maps!" Thanks for the introduction.

CMC said...

wow...I'm sure he is in my local art museum collection. Will have to check it out at the THEN AND NOW exhibit coming up this year as he will more than likley be invited to show his new work vs. the work from the past that is in the collection.

Sounds like a great trip, Karen.

Martha Marshall said...

Sorry I missed that! Nice introduction, Karen. Much food for thought here.