Featured Artist P. K. Williams

Artist P. K. Williams creates mixed media abstract collages that explore themes of nature and personal memories. Visit her website to see more of her work.

 

 

I first started working as a professional artist ten years ago, though I have always been an artist at heart. As a child, I consistently signed up for art classes whenever they were offered. To me, a box of shiny, new, sharp crayons was better than gold.

 

 

My father introduced me to the art world by showing me work by his favorite artists. He told me stories about the artist’s life or stories behind their work. I also spent countless hours sitting on his knee as he drew his little cartoon creations and taught me how to recreate them.

 

 

My parents encouraged me to further my skills and pursue my interest in art. They gave me drawing books and art supplies as birthday or Christmas gifts.

 

 

While attending college, I took art classes but my goals had changed. I pursued a degree in education, which was another passion of mine. Teaching was my first career and I stayed in that profession for several years. Ten years ago, we moved to New Mexico. I had the opportunity to trade my chalkboard for a canvas, so I did! I took some refresher workshops and was on my way.

 

 

When I first began to create art full-time, my work was realistic. Over time, it has evolved into something different. I now paint from the heart and my inner intuition rather than reference material, although realistic elements do appear periodically.

 

 

I’ve worked on many different series while exploring my abilities, various media and techniques. Additionally, elements from nature continue to appear in my work.

 

 

My most current series, Roots, is closest to my heart. In this series I combine two things in my life that are of great importance to me—nature and family. In this series, I explore the idea of roots or beginning—the beginnings in my own life and in those of all humankind.

 

 

I’ve learned many different techniques throughout my career, and have experimented with a combination of these varied techniques. My newest work is a synthesis of all these processes. I’ve created these pieces incorporating everything from paper staining to adding rust, epoxy resin or even cyanotypes.

 

 

I relish the idea of creating these unique “new-vintage” pieces and incorporate collage along with paper excavation, paint layering, sanding and glazing. The effect of these combined processes is exactly what I have strived to achieve during my short, ten-year career as an artist. I will continue to use a combination of these techniques as I explore other subjects.

 

 

I used to worry about not having a distinct “style” but have now allowed myself the freedom to explore and experiment using a variety of media. I’m excited to have developed the ability to create something new and exciting based on my memories, experiences and emotions. Since I do put so many of my personal connections, experiences and renderings into my work, my goal is to have the viewer appreciate the piece based on their personal interpretations and connections.

 

Artist P.K. Williams invites you to follow her on Facebook, Instagram and on the New Mexico State Committee of the National Women in the Arts site.

 

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