William B. Evans – 50th Reunion Essay

William B. Evans

PO Box 353

12984 NYS Rt 9N

Jay, NY 12941

wbevans38@gmail.com

518-586-1660

Spouse(s): Katy Greene (1979-1985)

Education: Munson-Williams-Proctor School of Art (1974-1977)

Career: wbevansart.com

Avocations: Hiking, World history

College: Branford

I put the brushes down and start writing. It’s a welcome change from painting and trying to get a facial likeness of a friend in Santa Fe, her face in sunlight and partial shadow.

Using the template of Monhegan, the artist island, for the voyage of life (think Thomas Cole) I figure I’m about 7/8 around the circumference trail, or being more optimistic maybe 13/16. And that’s a fraction nice to avoid when making picture frames. Something I’ve been doing all these years being committed to the visual arts since age 26.

Along the way there have been the usual ups and downs and missed directions: treading through a Yale major not carefully chosen, teaching school to avoid Vietnam, and writing unresolved poetry while driving a cab in NYC.

After my father’s untimely death I proctored and attended a new full-time art program at MWP Museum School, Utica, NY. Later on I managed and maintained a live-in studio gallery downtown, John St. Studios, for 31 years participating in the Central NY art scene.

Now I find myself living in the Adirondacks not far from Lake Placid where both sides of my family have historical connections. The old farmhouse I live in is built with first cut red spruce, very strong but light, and featured in many assemblages. I also continue with landscapes, some abstractions, and something I’m calling “still life landscapes.” Painting remains as challenging and humbling as ever, but I can’t imagine myself doing anything else.