The Art of Billy Williams

In early December of 2010, Billy Williams set up his table with prints of his original art work at the Missouri History Museum. On easels, Williams displayed paintings of African Americans with green tones and letters scrawled in the background that almost spell out beatiful. One piece caught the eye of the assistant director of community education and events, Alex Detrick. It was a portrait of Coretta Scott King with her husband’s image faintly present. She quickly approached Williams about showcasing his piece at a Martin Luther King celebration at the Museum on January 16th.

On Williams’ work, Detrick said that “it’s colorful, with energy that reflects spirit and an understanding of people.”

Williams describes his work as contemporary figurative. “I like to play with contour lines” Williams says. He prefers making images flat and using “shading to give it depth”

Raised in Kansas, Williams refined his skills at Kansas State University before moving to St. Louis and developing into the artist he is today. His first delved into contemporary figurative work around 2001.

“It started with sketches of faces that I morphed to together then grew into paintings” Williams said before adding “It’s been a nice journey.”

Admittedly, the journey began long before settling down in St. Louis. His first grade teacher nurtured his interest in art by giving him extra paper with which to draw. Teachers played a critical role with Williams’ development. They supported his interest and bought him extra materials for art class. In ninth grade, Williams experienced painting for the first time, and had been committed ever since.

Williams finds inspiration for his art in everyday people. “I may see someone with nice lips or an afro” he said when explaining his creative process. At times, Williams surprises himself with art that he thinks is conceived in his mind before its born out on canvass. Yet, like his inspiration, his art might walk past him on the street.

“I think that I made these images up but then I’m out at a store and see that person. I’ve never met them before but I painted them,” he said.

Another inspiration of Williams is C’Babi Bayoc. He recounts his first encounter with the artist.

“I went to an exhibition where C’Babi work was featured and I saw these pieces. They were images of African Americans but they were blue. I had been doing similar work and I hadn’t met him before then. I found it refreshing,” Williams said.

In addition to his work at the Missouri History Museum at their Martin Luther King Celebration at 2 pm, Williams is featuring his work at Legacy Books and Café at “Slam + Art,” an exhibition and poetry slam on Friday, January 28th from 8:30pm to 11:30pm.