David Williams is a contemporary impressionist oil painter dedicated to capturing the natural world through color, light, and form. Beginning his artistic journey as a child, he has drawn inspiration from the Impressionists, particularly Alfred Sisley, as well as contemporary artists Sergei Bongart and various mentors who have shaped his technique.
An award-winning artist, David has received honors such as Artists' Choice and Patrons' Choice for his plein air work. Currently based in Brittany, France, he immerses himself in painting the region's forests and dramatic coastline, bringing its beauty to life with expressive brushwork and rich atmospheric depth.
Statement
My artworks are influenced by a love of nature and our place in it. I explore naturalistic landscapes or places which often evoke a sense of nostalgia. Using a simple composition, with a few major shapes as a starting point, a painting begins. Working with oil paint and a limited palette of five or six colors, a natural color harmony occurs. At first, brushwork is broadly applied, then accentuated with generously layered paint, both capturing a rooms ambient light and often creating a sculptural quality. Color, design brushwork, canvas texture and years of painting on location are employed in the studio, each providing layers of richness to the artwork. Visually interpreting a subject in a realistic, yet relaxed style, the viewer has the freedom to interpret and participate.
CV -
- EDUCATION
2009-2010 Los Angeles Academy of Figurative Art / Drawing
2006-2007 Virginia Museum Studio / Drawing
2007 Richmond Visual Art Center /Drawing
1994 VCU
1989-1990 NVCC
- WORKSHOPS/MENTORSHIPS
Sunny Apinchapong -Yang, Gay Faulkenberry, Sherrie McGraw, Jove Wang, Camille Przewodek,
- 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 “The Still-life”, Gallery of NVCC, Manassas, VA.
1997 “New Paintings”, Gallery of NVCC, Manassas, VA.
- SELECT GROUP EXHIBITION
2025 “Exposition Peintures de David Williams”, Les Térébinthes, Le Fret, FR.
2025 “Peintres de la Presqu’île”, Crozon, FR.
2023 “Salon de Peinture et Sculpture”, Plomodiern, FR.
2023 “Peintres de la Presqu’île”, Crozon, FR.
2019, 2018, 2017, 2015“Art of the Piedmont”, Middleburg, 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, Sperryville, 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”, Three Artist Exhibition, Art Space Cooperative 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.
- 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.