Bunker artist Sheila Williams is gaining national and international recognition this year for her nature scenes and intimate portraits.
Her painting “Orphan Bobcat Kitten” will be featured at the Oil Painters of America Second Show of Traditional Oils at the Beverly McNeil Gallery in Birmingham, Alabama, Oct. 8 to Nov. 5.
Williams is one of 261 artists from the United States, Canada and Mexico to receive this honor.
Earlier this year Williams’ paintings of the Mark Twain National Forest were also selected to the international Paint the Parks competition of the Coutts Museum in Eldorado, Kansas. The winners of the competition will be announced Oct. 25.
“When I am painting I want people to sense or feel what I feel when I am out there,” Williams says. “So when I paint the forest I don’t want you to just see a photograph of the forest, I want you to be able to visually walk into the forest with me and see and hear what I feel. Essentially what I try to do is manipulate a two-dimensional surface into a three-dimensional experience.”
“Orphan Bobcat Kitten” is composed of Windsor-Newton Oil on a cotton canvas. It is a monochromatic rendering of Williams’ second cousin Harley Narramore at age 12 holding a small bobcat kitten. Narramore today is 22-years-old and is a mother of two.
“When I do a portrait I am not trying to do a likeness in anyway,” Williams says. “I want to capture their personality and character. I want to evoke more of a sensory experience of what it’s like to meet that person and to be in their presence.”
Another one of Williams’ portraits which has received recognition is of US Senator Roy Blunt. Blunt met Williams and her family earlier this year when the Senator presented her father Roy with long-delayed service medals he earned during his service in the Korean War. It was then Williams was struck by inspiration.
“I asked Senator Blunt if I could do a portrait of him and my dad together and he said sure, but I told him I would have to do a practice run because I don’t know you. I have to learn the face and personality,” Williams says. “So I took a four-minute video of Senator Blunt and I was able to study the video and make the portrait based on that. I figured I would give it to them and it would end up in one of their field offices, but then I looked at the address they gave me and it was for Washington.”
Senator Blunt’s office confirms that the portrait is proudly hanging in the front room of his official Washington, DC office.
“I did manipulate the pupils so his eyes will follow you across the room,” Williams says. “I heard from one of his staffers that it was kinda creeping them out.”
In gratitude for his painting, Blunt wrote a handwritten message to Williams which reads:
“It was so good to be with you, your dad and your family and to recognize his service. The painting you sent was so thoughtful. It’s great to have an example of your artistic skill. Even made me look good. Thanks for your painting and your family for its service.”
The portrait of her father receiving his service medals from Blunt will also be forthcoming.
Although the current year has been full of accolades for Williams, her success has been years in the making. Her artistic career began when she was still in grade school and has been bolstered by years of extensive studying and research.
“My paintings are created from moments I capture on video,” Williams says. “I have thousands of hours of flowers, leaves, water and bark. When someone asks me how long it takes me to paint the water I ask does that include all the time I spend recording and studying the footage I captured of it?”
Even though Williams’ paintings are getting attention across the country, her skill can also be a handicap when entering some competitions.
“In the past I have had paintings disqualified for being too realistic,” Williams says. “They told me they were too photo real and polished.”
In addition to their realism, Williams’ paintings also offer a layered experience to those taking a keen look at their depth.
“There are hidden images in all my paintings,” Williams says. “It’s a little game I play with my dad. I don’t talk about or try to publicize the embedded images, it is just a thing between me and my dad.”
Among those who have scanned her work and marveled at their depth is Williams’ mother Sug.
“With Sheila’s paintings the closer you the more you see,” Sug says. “The closer you look the more details you see.”
