ELMORE WILLIAMS JR.

Elmore finds painting a way of living. It is not only the hours spent in front of an easel putting paint on a canvas, but a way of thinking , of continually searching, constantly exploring and discovering innovative ways of expressing himself. He is concerned with an interpretation of ideas or moods or things. Painting is a kind of language to him whereby he can communicate his most inner thoughts and feeling on canvas. He is responsive to those things by which he is deeply moved and inspired. He does not capriciously limit himself to one period of art and life but seeks his inspiration everywhere, in the past, in the present, and in the future. When he borrows something from an earlier civilization, he transforms it through his emotions and imagination so that it emerges as something new with a life of its own.

There is no particular system he follow when he begin painting. Each painting has its own way of evolving. One may start with a few color areas on the canvas; another with a myriad of line; and perhaps another with a profusion of colors….as he work, or when the painting is finished, the subject reveals itself. A painting usually has a subject, it is often far from reality but the subject exists in some form.

According to the artist, there is little more to say about his work except look at it; art speaks to each of us differently. The nature of art becomes a personal concept. We can gain insight from works or statements by others, but each of us must ultimately make his own interpretation. Whatever else could be stated, would do nothing more than distract from the essential realities that the work may or may not contain. He does not pretend, through painting, to defend popular or unpopular attitudes but rather hope that his efforts are true to himself alone, and that his paintings must speak for themselves.

Elmore was born in Georgetown, S. C. where he spent his childhood. He completed liberal art studies at Allen University in Columbia, S. C. where he majored in Art Education, graduating in 1966. Following graduation, he taught school at East View Elementary and Staley High schools in Americus, GA.

His teaching was interrupted in 1967 by being inducted into the U. S. Army. After an eventful tour of duty as a soldier, he returned to civilian life in 1969 and took permanent residence in Seattle, Washington.

He now lives in Renton, Washington and retired as a teacher and an administrator of Seattle Public Schools. He and his wife, Barbara, are parents of two children.

Elmore took courses in painting at Allen University, Seattle University, Western University, the University of Washington and Green River Community College. His personal style was developed after experimentation with styles of Picasso, Brague and Kadinsky.

His work has been exhibited in the Seattle Urban League Annual Art show. Bellevue and Renton Art Shows, Holman Library at Green River Community College, The Museum of History and Industry, Seattle University, Elks Cascade Lodge, Black Community Festival, The Bon: Centennial Tribute to Northwest Black Pioneers, Festival Sundiata, Northwest African American Fine Art Exhibit, C Art Gallary, Ethnic Heritage Art Gallery, and One – Man Art Shows.