About Jim Williams

Each year brings further exploration of the media I employ. My paintings are oils on canvas and I use a combination of brush and palette knife technique. Paintings are drafted by brush and the use of layering and glazing methods are used to create effective subtle or contrasting elements as needed. Many paintings include a whimsical element to speak personally to the observer.

Photos (past and present) and some research material from the Burton Library have helped me create some of these themes. Some paintings reflect personal experiences and recollections. This work is a continual growing process which gives me personal pleasure and an opportunity to learn new methods of painting that help me redefine places and events in my life.

Background

Jim is a self-taught impressionist realist painter depicting a style that is partly derived from the study of classical 19th and 20th century American and European artists. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Wayne State University and worked 23 years as a social work case manager in the area of foster care and delinquency services for the State of Michigan.

Since retirement he has been an instructor-creator of inner city art programs for youth at Grandale Presbyterian Church, All Saints Community Center and Southwest Presbyterian Church in Detroit. In recent years Jim has participated in additional studies at the Birmingham-Bloomfield Art Association.

Awards & Exhibits

• Winner of the Go Green 2024 award, E. Lansing Fine Art Show
• Illustrator for Realms of Terswood by Jamie M. Samland
• Illustrator for Trials of Throk'tar by Jamie M. Samland
• Illustrator for Seeds of Farsil by Jamie M. Samland
• Illustrator for Miracle in a Small Mountain Town by Allen Autrey
• Featured at BizzyBuz Artist Shop, Rochester, MI
• Featured at Frameworks, Plymouth, MI
• Featured at Lilacs Gallery, Mackinac Island, MI
• Featured at Northgoods, Petoskey, MI
• Featured at The Art House, Northville, MI
• Featured at Detroit Artist Market & Detroit Historical Museum
• First Place — Allen Park 2014 Street Art Fair
• First Place — St. Clair Fine Art Festival 2014, Members Competition
• 2nd Place — Allen Park 2013 Street Festival
• First Place — 2010 Artrageous Fine Art Show, Sterling Heights
• 2006 Featured Artist — Artrageous (American Center, Southfield, MI)
• 2005 Best of Show — Rochester Heritage Festival
• 2002 Art of Living Award — Winter Art Show, Lake Orion
• "Hudsons, The Real Christmas Store" — Detroit Historical Museum, 1999 & 2000