Etsy

TheWillies- Eclectic and Whimsical...

Over the years I have experimented in several art mediums: acrylic on canvas, acrylic on etched wood panels and with gourds to produce mostly vases and masks. The theme to my work had been mostly Southwestern. I have had my work juried into various shows by Knoxville and Oak Ridge Arts Councils. My work has been sold at galleries and shops in the Knoxville,Gatlinburg and Townsend area.


Being a high school teacher afforded me the time during summer break to develop my art skills. Also, we were able to travel to the Southwest and to visit the many galleries in that area. We made these trips through out the 1990s; this is when I was most active in artwork. Then in early 2000 my focus turned from art to bass fishing during the summer months.


In January 2009, after 30 years of service, I retired from teaching. So this winter while it was too cold to fish; I picked up a paint brush and started painting small still lifes. They were fun and a local gallery took a couple of them on consignment. I gave the best one to the biggest collector of my work, Beth. I also started working with gourds again and began to produce gourd flowers and many other objects of art including trees, rabbits, trucks and ponies.

Finally in November of 2009 I discovered an outlet for all my work. ETSY! If it were a “brick and mortar” shop it’s name would be South By Southwest but for some reason I like TheWillies best for the internet.