October 6^th, 2025

 

A few thoughts on the importance of authenticity and story.

We each have a story, and as visual artists our story influences both how we paint and what we paint. Viewers and customers, including buyers and gallerists, are most often drawn to our work through how we understand and lean into that story. 

I’ve heard many artists suggest the need to avoid some subjects, primarily those that elicit strongly held opinions; political and religious themes are typical examples, however, environmentalism and concern for basic human rights are sometimes seen as equally problematic. I’ve also seen incredible works of art that draw me in without insult or lecture. Digging into the artists’ story behind these works usually reveals a human who has dug deeply into themselves for inspiration and meaning. Sometimes these artists give their viewers a detailed map for their painting’s meaning or leave interpretation and understanding up to their viewers. Myself, I prefer work that is obviously deep but not fully exposed or explained, leaving room for my own responses and considerations.

As a landscape painter, my work usually appears to be simply pretty paintings of beautiful scenes. However for me, my paintings express the contradiction between my feelings of deep loneliness tempered by my connection to the land. Whether my viewer understands my personal concerns doesn’t need to be spelled out. The more I paint the more I understand about myself, and I think this understanding, including my concerns for how land is being used and how that often excludes others from belonging, is coming through in my work and that is what connects to viewers.

I recently started working in series and have just finished two very different bodies of work, each leading to a solo exhibition. Working this way has allowed me to reflect on story and explore the direction inspiration leads me.

If I could offer a new artist any advice, I would recommend they begin by digging into themselves. We all have a story. Finding that story isn’t easy however the effort will show up in the work and the journey involved will lead to greater authenticity and uniqueness.

Autumn is here and I hope you get out and enjoy this season in all it’s splendor.

 

Theresa Williams, Artist