[ARTIST STATEMENT]
I’m a fine artist who paints landscapes and nostalgic perspectives in watercolor and oils.
Like you, I want to Defy the Limits! We all aspire to be healthy, happy, and strong – to thrive, despite what the cynics and naysayers might claim. There is something profoundly enriching about seeing the world with clarity – a knowing. I revel in the opportunity to communicate through fine art in a deep, rich, and meaningful way, bringing fine art into people’s lives.
Our society is profoundly shaped by history and significant moments that resonate deeply within each of us. Through my art, I strive to encapsulate this individuality, believing that authentic design serves a higher purpose. It embodies the timeless craftsmanship that allows art to endure through generations. My work is centered on the symbiotic relationship between subject and viewer, emphasizing quality, effective composition, and vibrant color. Above all, it is the humble mastery and experience in applying these elements that ensure both the subject and the art itself stand the test of time.
This work comes from real places, with a ‘in-the-moment’ mindset. In many cases I start paintings right on-the-spot. This offers a higher intuitiveness, a spectacular orb of solitude, kind of like setting the rain on fire. When I paint everything goes silent – all the cynics, critics and cringers fade away. The work reflects this. I brutally kill all the fears in my life at the door every day.
Like you, living a good and fear-free life is a high art. For me – this active meditation empowers to that end. A finished painting is merely a brush unto itself, a step-off point to that greater integrity.
For each traveler it is different. You bring your life experiences and apply it to the view, and to the journey. Like it or not, how you and I display our lives offers a reflection onto the rest of the world. As with you, I want my fine art to provide that reflection for others.
I Paint for Devine Peace!
Please understand that the Devine is the root source in my work. I am often left in awe at how and where this art flows from? I am humble enough to see that this isn’t coming from me but through me! May you stand in Devine Peace! It is not about an artist or the art, it is more about breathing clearly and being.
Watch the leaves of the trees and see the unseen breeze. The ebb and flow within fine art leads to and from such places.
William Holbrook - Holbrook.Studio X -Tweeter
This is why I create, why I paint. I only hope you see yourself present in everything you experience. Not through any artists eyes, but directly in your life, with the reflections of your life – in everything you hold dear.
My work proves you can master it. Be brutal in yourself, threaten and cut-off everything outside of the present moment that suggests any kind of fear.
I’m forced to paint without fear; I paint in oil because it’s second nature, though I now risk my life due to allergies to the oil. See my Biography below for details. My plein-air painting kits include Epi Pens – just in case of an emergency. Painting in the studio requires other safety measures; the first measure without doubt is painting in watercolor medias rather than oils, and secondly when I’m feeling cocky, I take special steps to paint in oil. No fear.
Like you, I want to shut down the inner and outer critics and cringer’s; without the high art of our lives, we lose our inner peace, inner peace is a priceless luxury. “Peace and luxury” – at all cost.
My work reflects this primal pursuit – peace. My work is a journey that you are invited to join in on and to enjoy. This work transforms and lights my path. I hope this does the same for you.
– William (Bill) Holbrook
I discovered early on that the timeless principles of hand-craftsmanship could seamlessly blend with modern digital techniques to create truly exceptional designs. While anyone can operate a computer, crafting effective and evocative designs requires a mastery that goes beyond mere technical skill. This understanding of craftsmanship in the digital age earned me the role of Art Director for a multi-periodical magazine publisher, where I had the privilege of working on high-profile sports and entertainment projects.
In this role, I harnessed the power of traditional artistry and digital innovation, creating visually compelling content that stood out in a crowded marketplace. The process was not just about creating aesthetically pleasing designs but about telling a story, evoking memories, and triggering reflections of the adventures that shaped my life. Each project was an opportunity to revisit the paths I had walked, the rivers I had fished, and the trails I had hiked. These experiences became the wellspring of inspiration, infusing my work with a depth and authenticity that resonated with audiences.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my career has been seeing how my work can evoke memories and emotions in others, mirroring the reflections of my own adventures growing up. It has reaffirmed to me that the path I chose, combining my passion for fine art with modern technology, was a natural progression of my dreams. These dreams, once mere aspirations, have become attainable realities, illustrating that with dedication and a deep connection to one’s craft, anything is possible.
I want my art to take you on a journey toward the peace and the luxury that it creates.
Yes I am going to date myself, I have been blessed to live and work prior to the digital age. As a child I always painted and created. I built and dreamt with my hands and heart. Those influences proved to be to my advantage through my entire life.
As a child, I snuck into a local sign shop called S.S. Coe, got scolded and schooled, but my persistence was rewarded every time stock-car season rolled around. The old timers lettered cars day and night, beer and paint. I was 9-10 years old and I learned to hand letter on stock cars. One of the old timers, Ronald Listman was so awesome, he had to be in his late eighties when I first met him. I had a crush on his grand daughter, she and I went to school together. But I didn’t know that until much later.
Turned out Ron had worked for Walt Disney when Walt was just starting out. Ron called himself an pictorial artist and ticket-maker (a term for movie poster maker), designing characters with Walt, hand lettering for the credits of the first Disney movies and of course, many Disney posters where all hand crafted by Ron Listman.
Ron participated in the creation of the characters like Mickey and Minny Mouse, Donald Duck, and many others. ‘Donald,’ Ronald said was jokingly verbally created by Walt originally using “Ronald’s name” while brainstorming in the studio, but morphed into “Donald”while on the drawing board. In fact—Donald as many other Disney characters where created on the very draft board (easel) that he had given me, and I still use.
He had worked at Disney’s studio in to the depression and moved back to Sioux City, Iowa, he said to take a break after the war. Mr. Listman was a spectacular pictorial artist that inspired me to the 10th degree. As did the other old timers including 2nd generation sign sop owner Ned Adams the owner of S.S. Coe sign shop. Ron always said, “speed and skill equalled money!” He proven himself right over and over! Beer and quickness meant for straighter – smoother lines. For me, the years went by and that pictorial line of work was all I had on my mind, and it became my career.
Needless to say I became a pictorial artist and a layout artist in the outdoor advertising business. Working for Avery Brothers Sign Company was a kicker. I was working for a Family Farm Store called Bomgaars. My son was born while working there. I told a co-worker at work that I was very unhappy not doing what I loved. This co-worker was a preacher man named Fred Penner he could play songs with a saw, and he told me to give Avery Brothers a hard time every day until they hired me — make’m mad tired of you.
It toke less than a month, relentlessly-every day at lunch time and it really toke old man Chuck Avery getting so mad at me that one day he put me to the test hand lettering and had me throw paint on a Mexican restaurant pictorial. He barked, I’ll have to redo all the bull-shtuf that Ron and Ned put in your head! But, you are hired, you can start tomorrow.
I got hired- thanks to that fun loving, saw playing preacher man who worked with me at the farm store. I almost got fired at the farm store for being so late after lunch that day. While I was getting chewed out – waiting for the manager to shut up, I give him my two week notice, I thought a bit, it figured out to be an opportune time to ask him if I could leave sooner- since he was already pissed and all. My wages doubled that day. My wife was awesome about it. Thank you again preacher man – Fred!
I witnessed the advertising field convert from hand craftsmanship to the digital age. It was both sad and awesome. I embraced the eventual changes, the very first version of Adobe 1.0, Coral Draw, Spreadsheets, writing, art, movies and advertising — All on a computer, once done by hand.
When the digital age began I jumped right in with both feet! I knew that old school hand-craftsmanship would make for a highly successful combination when thrown into the mix of digital. It still required craftsmanship.
Now that AI (artificial intelligence) has come along, things are changing from digital to an integral pursuit, kind of an Aquarius age. Any real hippie back then might be totally shocked. Yet again both sad and exciting. So, in effect I do believe this will eventually make real red blooded artists even more valuable in the near future, maybe rare — thus even more valuable.
Anyone could run a computer, but not everyone can compose effective designs. That requires real craftsmanship and a whole lot of proper human context. (Mojo) Though, AI will quickly catch up.
Craftsmanship and skill along with the digital revolution earned me a position as a art director for a multi-periodical magazine publisher. Working on national high-profile sports and entertainment projects.
One of the best realizations I received was the memories that were triggered, the reflections of the adventures I had growing up. Visceral hand-made artwork. I realized the path I had taken, only seemed to be a natural one, that dreams aren’t just dreams-they’re attainable. I had also learned to be agile and willing to change when needed.d
As he shares his art with a broader audience, William remains committed to pushing the boundaries of his creativity. His journey is a testament to the enduring power of art to transform, inspire, and connect us to the deeper currents of life. Whether through the serene landscapes of his beloved Iowa or the dynamic interplay of human emotion, William’s work continues to captivate and inspire, reflecting a lifelong devotion to his craft.
Painting, for William, is a journey that continues to this day. It has become a public testament to his private passion, an invitation for others to join him in the adventure. Through his art, he hopes to bring the same sense of wonder and discovery to others that he has cherished throughout his life.