April 2013

NC Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount, NC, Features Works by Myra Williamson

NC Wesleyan College in Rocky Mount, NC, will present an exhibit of works by Myra Williamson, on view in the Mims Gallery in the Dunn Center, on view from Apr. 5 through May 5, 2013. A reception will be held on Apr. 5, from 7-9pm.

Born in Krotz Springs, LA, a tiny town between Baton Rouge and Opelousas, Williamson grew up drawing. It never occurred to her that she would be an artist one day and her parents did not encourage an artistic career. Because she loved “the way art looks on a bare wall” she began creating fine art paintings for her own home. When friends from New Orleans asked to purchase her art, her life as an artist began. That same friend was soon managing a gallery in New Orleans, Ariodante Gallery and pushed her to create enough art for a show. Reluctantly agreeing to do a show, Williamson kicked off her artist career with a bang. That was 10 years ago and in that decade, life has dramatically changed.

Living in a rural area, St. Francisille, LA, “I was inspired by my beautiful surroundings”. Huge trees with Spanish moss ornaments, moss covered brick patios, old homes that tell their own story without words. That was home for 10 years and a lovely wonderful time it was, but feeling the artist push to see and do more, I moved on and spent a time in the NYC art world. The enlightenment I gained by making that move is why I am where I am today. Although I had some very successful exhibits there, I found that I am not the type of artist who would sell my mother to obtain gallery space there, (besides the fact that a southern girl is not built for month after month of freezing weather).”

Williamson is now living in Enfield, NC. A wonderful little sleepy town about an hour from the Virgina border. Here in this beautiful historic home she and her husband Andrew are restoring, she finds time and space to build the canvas in her mind before even breaking out the tubes of paint. She has no formal training and is self-taught. The drive to create and paint is innate and comes without provocation.

Williamson gets inspiration from viewing Louisiana artists’ work, such as the renowned George Marks, John Drysdale and Lisa Distafano, all from South Louisiana. She tends to gear pieces as to how they will look in an interior. When creating a piece, it is more for the objects around it rather than just the piece, and she gives a great deal of thought to what will work in a particular room.

“For me, becoming an artist was never a conscious decision. It was something that just naturally evolved,” says Williamson. “Falling under the spell of European Masters and local artists alike, I felt I needed to explore my own interpretation of beauty, light, and design. My passion brings me beyond technique in order to interpret the subject in different ways and to expand that interpretation into my own personal statement.”

For further information check our NC Institutional Gallery listings or call the gallery at 252/985-5268.

[ | April 2013 | Feature Articles | Download Carolina Arts' Current Issue | Carolina Arts Unleashed | Home | ]