THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 3, 1994 TAG: 9407020127
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Rebecca Myers
LENGTH: Medium: 87 lines
For two out of the last four years, Chesapeake artist Willie Williams Jr. has won the ``Best In Show'' award at Portsmouth's Seawall Art Show, making him about $2,500 richer.
``It's not going to be the last time either,'' said a self-assured Williams, who exhibited 18 works in this year's show.
Williams, 28, is an abstract expressionist, which means he turns to his own feelings and emotions to create a work of art. He paints, he said, ``to show my expressions of what the moment is like.''
For example, one of his works, ``Fly, Fly Away,'' was created after he watched a snake trying to catch a baby bird in his grandfather's back yard. He donated the painting, which was awarded a ribbon in the Seawall Art Show, to the Portsmouth Museums.
During Operation Desert Storm, Williams created another award-winning piece, called ``Stars and Stripes.''
``It was red, white and blue, but there was some light blue in the painting, too, which represented the water, as well as the U.S. Navy,'' he said.
In a work called ``Bird's Nest,'' Williams put into the painting real feathers, pieces of grass and pine straw, ``just like birds build their nests from,'' he said.
``The media that I prefer to use are pastels, and I like to mix that up with watercolor and acrylic. I like to go outside in the back yard, go to the park, pick up things off the ground, bring those home and see if they can add something to a painting,'' he said.
Williams' interest in art dates back to ``the day I was born.''
``When I was a little boy, my mother told me I used to draw a lot. I enjoyed art when I was a little boy, and as I got older, I just continued to enjoy art.''
An art teacher at Brighton and Port Norfolk elementary schools for the last three years, Williams said his life without art ``wouldn't be as good as it is now.''
``The art keeps me motivated, just like teaching. I think if I didn't teach art, I wouldn't stay at school as long as I do,'' he said.
``Like I say, Brighton and Port Norfolk (elementary schools) are like a hangout. I stay after school working with children because it's fun. I don't get tired. I don't get sick. It doesn't bother me. The children love it. The parents enjoy it. It just makes my life wonderful.''
Name: Willie Lee Williams Jr.
Grew up: ``I grew up a lot of places. My father was in the Army and we were stationed several places. But Chesapeake is my hometown. Wilbur Chadwick was my art teacher at Indian River High School, and that's where I graduated.''
Birthplace: Portsmouth Naval Hospital.
Birthdate: April 21, 1966.
Occupation: Art teacher at Brighton Elementary School and Port Norfolk Elementary School in Portsmouth.
Marital status: Single.
Fondest childhood memory: ``Traveling overseas to Germany and other wonderful places in the United States while my father was in the Army.''
Hobbies: ``I like to draw, paint, bowl. I'm also a professional photographer, and I enjoy doing that.''
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you would buy? ``My mother and father a new home.''
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? ``The Rev. Jesse Jackson. The reason is that he makes speeches to people of all ages telling them what it takes to be successful. Plus he preaches and tells individuals why it is important to have faith in God. When you have faith in the Lord, he will provide.''
Biggest accomplishment: ``Earning my bachelor's degree with honors at Norfolk State University in 1988.''
Most embarrassing moment: ``In March 1993, I walked out of my house, dressed up like a clown for `Circus Day' at Brighton Elementary.''
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? ``Nothing. I'm happy the way I am.''
Perfect way to spend the day: ``Teaching art and motivating students to do the right thing - following instructions, listening to the right people, being a winner and thinking big.''
I can't resist: ``Working on a project until it's completed.''
Favorite Chesapeake restaurant: Applebee's.
Last smart thing you did: ``I'm pursuing my master's degree and in fine arts education.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
Willie Lee Williams Jr.
by CNB