Press release

William Welch Exhibit at Custom House Nov. 16 to Jan. 5.

“Here, There and Back Again,” Key West artist William Welch’s exhibition of his new Key West paintings, mixed with his works from Mexico, France, Cuba, Italy, and New England. Opening reception for KWAHS members and friends on Nov. 16, - 5:30-7 p.m., at the Custom House, 281 Front St. “This is the first time Bill’s Key West works, many of them new, have been shown with his collection from other areas,” said Curator Norman Aberle. “The works are fabulous and it is a challenge to choose those to hang.”
“Many new works, finished this year, are featured along with paintings I feel are significant examples of my art from personal and private collections,” Welch said from his Key West home. “I wanted to paint a few of the island’s architectural icons as a series. I also worked on a series of travel scenes.”
Welch received his art education at Ohio University with further study at the Philadelphia College of Art. He refers to himself as an "academic impressionist,” drawing on his training in realism and expressive passion for light and color.
From miniature watercolor scenes of extreme fine detail to large and expressive oil murals and screens, Welch’s style evokes the romance of color and light in the true impressionist’s spirit. He has spent the last decade following a nineteenth century painter’s path throughout Europe, concentrating in Normandy, northern Italy, Provence, and Portugal. A frequent visitor to Giverny, Claude Monet's legacy of floral and natural beauty, he was even interviewed by a French television crew while he painted in the garden with other artists from many countries. As the impressionist discipline advocated, Welch considers his best studio to be outdoors in front of ever-changing nature.
Welch’s current honors include recent inclusion in the new book, “The Best in Oil Painting,” a Rockport Publications book. He is a contributor of work to the United States Department of State’s Art in Embassies Program, and has been honored by President Clinton and Secretary Christopher for his support.
“As an open-air artist, I will travel with my easel most anywhere, set up and paint the scenes that appeal to me. Usually architectural subjects are featured or included, but light and color are truly my passion,” Welch said.
“My work, primarily in oils, involves a palette of six colors very like those used by Claude Monet. It is, however, a delicate balance of just the exact pigments from perhaps several manufacturers to produce the spectrum I need,” he said.
“My work has changed greatly over the years, but the evolution seems so natural that I don’t pause to analyze it. I have no idea where my technique will lead me in years ahead. This is the nature of the artist’s journey in the world,” Welch said.
Aberle said he has 45 paintings, some very large, to chose from.
“I hope to be able to have at least 30 in the exhibition,” he said.
For more information about William Welch, go to www.williamwelchgallery.com or to Gallery on Greene, Key West.

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