Check out Toni Williams’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Toni Williams.

Toni, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
Creative parents equal creative children! When being raised by my “pioneering” parents (born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y.) that decided to try the country life by moving to upstate New York, one’s little head is filled with seeing the beauty of the countryside. They were either modifying our old farmhouse, stripping furniture, creating dresses, landscape vignettes, starting an antique store, farming, raising small animals… you get the picture.

My talent emerged in my ability to draw for them when they needed signs made; authentic looking wooden signs reminiscent of old American and English taverns. From there they were able to help me get a college education, graduating from UCSD La Jolla, earning a BA in 1974.

The landscape of Southern California being fresh, new and exciting to my East Coast eyes filled the senses with scenes already painted by Maurice Braun, Charles Fries, Alfred Mitchell and a myriad of other California Impressionists.

Studying these Masters and joining local plein air groups offers great opportunity to expand the visual knowledge of our land, sea and SoCal light…. regular, diligent study for 12 years of dedication. Prior training in murals, faux finishes and color consultation paid the bills until age set in. That propelled the journey into plein air painting and the heightened competitive world of art associations and trying to garner status and recognition.

One can pick and choose and decide on how to manipulate through the worlds of organizations and still continue to grow as a painter. Carry on

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
-Traditional landscape, seascape, figurative oil impressionist painting.
-Emotion through brushwork, and mood of the day.
-Always to touch the senses in the eye of the viewer and let them make the final decision on what happens next.

How can artists connect with other artists?
Best resource by far will be your local Art Guilds:
-COAL Gallery
-Offtrack Gallery
-Rancho Santa Fe Art Guild
-Within these frameworks will be found resources for learning, joining and interacting with other creatives

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
-Marston House Gift Shop, San Diego
-Represented by Ivanffy_ Uhler Virtual Gallery, Slusser Gallery
-Participation in American Impressionists Society
-Laguna Beach Plein Air Painters
-San Diego Plein Air Painters
-California Art Club, San Diego Chapter

Contact Info:

• Website: www.toniwilliamsart.com
• Instagram: stonig
• Facebook: Toni Williams

Getting in touch: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.