David Williams is a contemporary impressionist oil painter focused on observation of the natural world. He began drawing at an early age and has been influenced by the Impressionists—particularly Alfred Sisley—as well as contemporary painters and mentors who have shaped his approach over many years.
He has received recognition for his plein air work, including Artists’ Choice and Patrons’ Choice awards. He now works between Europe and the southern United States, painting outdoors and in the studio in response to changing light, weather, and season.
His paintings begin with a simple structure—just a few shapes to establish the composition. Working with a limited palette, building color gradually and allowing natural harmonies to emerge. Brushwork starts broadly, becoming more defined as the painting develops, with layered paint creating texture and depth.
Williams paintings capture the look of a place, but also the feelings evoked by being there. His work remains open, allowing the viewer to bring their own memories and interpretations to the scene.
Galleries
Statement
- SELECT EXHIBITION
2025 “Exposition Peintures de David Williams”, Les Térébinthes, Le Fret, FR.
2025, 2023 “Peintres de la Presqu’île”, Crozon, FR.
2023 “Salon de Peinture et Sculpture”, Plomodiern, FR.
2019, 2018, 2017, 2015, “Art of the Piedmont”, The Plains, VA.
2017 “Piedmont Painters”, Zig Zag Gallery, The Plains, VA.
2016 “Easels In Frederick”, Plein Air Painting Competition, Frederick, MD.
2016 “Paint Annapolis”, Plein Air Competition, Circle Gallery, Annapolis, MD.
2016, 2013 “Artists and Friends”, Middle Street Gallery, Washington, VA.
2013 “An Artful Opening”, Color Wheel Gallery 65, McLean, VA.
2011 “Virginia Gardens”, Warm Springs Gallery, Warm Springs, VA.
2010, 2009, 2008 “Plein Air San Luis Obispo”, San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, SLO, CA.
2010 “Follow the River”, Studios on the Park, Paso Robles, CA.
2009 “Joie de Vivre”, Three Artist’s, Caulfield Gallery, Washington, VA.
2009 “New England Harbors”, Berkley Gallery, Warrenton, VA.
2008, 2007 “Art of Living”, Gallery at Rich Designs, Colorado Springs, CO.
2008, 2007 “Plein Air Easton”, Academy Art Museum, Easton, MD.
2007 “Pride of Place”, Riverbend Fine Art, Marble Falls, TX.
2007 “Oil Painters of America”, Whistle-pik Gallery, Fredericksburg, TX.
2007 “Portrait Exhibition”, Virginia Museum Studio Gallery, Richmond, VA.
2006 “Less Is More”, Laguna Plein Air Painters Assoc., Laguna Beach, CA.
2006 “Land and Sea”, Berkley Gallery, Warrenton, VA.
2006 “Spring Exhibit”, Richland Fine Art, Nashville, TN.
2005, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, “Art at the Mill, Millwood, VA.
2004 “Two Artists”, Galerie Europa, Reston, VA.
2003 “Recent Works” A Group Exhibition, Berkley Gallery, Warrenton, VA.
2002 “New Works”, Gallery One, Winchester, VA.
2001 “The Independents”, Buchanan Hall, Upperville, VA.
2000 “Collected Works”, Jubilee Gallery, Winchester, VA.
1999 “Lewis and Clark Annual Exhibition”, Lewis and Clark Center for the Arts, Lewiston, ID.
1999 “Richmond Artists”, Touchstone Gallery, Washington, DC.
1999 “As the River Flows: An Artistic Journey Along the James River”, Art Space Coop Gallery, Richmond, VA.
1999 “Richmond Artists”, Sycamore House Gallery, Harrisonburg, VA.
1998 “Benefit Exhibit”, Richmond Arts Collective, Richmond, VA.
1996 “Annual Member Exhibit”, Art Association of Harrisburg, Harrisburg, PA.
- SOLO EXHIBITION
2013 “Recent Works”, Lifestyle Interiors, Middleburg, VA.
2012 “A Sense of Place”, Zig Zag Gallery, The Plains, VA.
2009 “California Dreaming”, Berkley Gallery, Warrenton, VA.
2008 “Light Effects”, Berkley Gallery, Warrenton, VA.
2007 “Late Summer Afternoon”, Warm Springs Gallery, Warm Springs, VA.
2004 “Recent Works”, Berkley Gallery, Warrenton, VA.
2003 “The Phillips Collection, Washington Exhibition & Benefit”, Washington, DC.
2003 “From The Studio”, Gleedsville Gallery, Leesburg, VA.
2002 “Alla Prima”, Longview Gallery, Sperryville, VA.
2001 “Still-lifes and Virginia Landscapes”, Longview Gallery, Sperryville, VA.
2001 “New Work”, Preston House Art and Antiques, Gloucester, VA.
2000 “Scenes of Summer”, Jubilee Gallery, Winchester, VA.
1998, 1997 “New Paintings”, Gallery of NVCC, VA.
- EDUCATION
2009-2010 Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art / Drawing
2006-2007 Virginia Museum Studio / Drawing
2007 Richmond Visual Art Center /Drawing
1994 VCU Art Foundation
1989-1990 NVCC Painting
- WORKSHOPS/MENTORSHIPS
Sunny Apinchapong -Yang, Gay Faulkenberry, Sherrie McGraw, Jove Wang, Camille Przewodek.
- CORPORATE COLLECTIONS
Goose Creek, 60x60. Tide Creek, 36x72. Shenandoah View, 36x66. Blue Ridge Gold, 36x48. Annapolis Skipjacks, 30x40. - Norton, Rose, Fulbright LLP, Washington, DC. 2017, 2016
Sunset Marsh, 30x24. - Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN. 2006
Hot-dog Vendor (Penn. Ave and Constitution). 36x36 - HOVDE Financial, Washington, DC. 2004
Tredegar Iron Works, 30x40. - Tredegar Trust Corporation, Richmond, VA. 2001
- PUBLICATIONS
2017, “Shaping An Artist”, Summer Issue, Fauquier News, Caroline Fout.
2016, “Artist David Williams”, December, Middleburg Life, Sophie Scheps.
2014, “Artist Showcase”, Summer Issue, The Piedmont Virginian Magazine,
2013, “Illusions of Reality”, July 23, Middleburg Life, Lauren Giannini.
2010, “Plein Air with David Williams”, September, San Luis Obispo Tribune, Pat Pemberton. 2008, “Inspiration”, June-July, International Artist, David Williams.
2007, “Take It Easel”, July 27, The Star Democrat.
2007, “David Williams”, Winter Issue, Art Galleries and Artists of the South, Catherine Woodson.
2006, “Alumni Notes, David Williams”, October, Élan Magazine, Alice Ross.
2004, “A Simple Palette”, March, Élan Magazine, Donna Cedar - Southworth.
2002, “Alla Prima Paintings”, November, Rappahannock Times, Ruth Bigelson.
2001, “In Touch With the Art Spirit”, August, Rappahannock Times, Barbara Heile.
- TEACHING
2012-2019 Oil and Acrylic Painting Classes
2005-2017 Plein Air Workshops
- CURATORIAL EXPERIENCE
2017 “Piedmont Painters”, nineteen artist exhibition, Zig Zag Gallery, The Plains, VA.
2001 “The Independents”, five artist exhibition, Buchanan Hall, Upperville, VA.