Artist Ronald Williams capturing images on canvass

Reported by Bob Townsend – bio |email

LELAND, NC (WECT) - Artists like to paint pictures of the Cape Fear area because of the beauty.  But for local artist Ronald Williams putting scenes of Wilmington on canvas also captures memories of growing up here.

Williams had quite a scare a couple of years ago.

While at the Brunswick County Aquatic Center, he was on the walking trail and passed out. It turned out he had suffered a heart attack and wound up needing a double bypass.

After a recovery, Williams is creating many more beautiful watercolor paintings of the Port City.

In a small building behind his house, Williams remembers how Wilmington used to look.  And he has been working to capture old Wilmington on canvas.

Williams' work can be seen at most of the major art galleries in the area. He started painting professionally in 1970, with a watercolor painting of Wilmington.

And as Williams continues to paint, including some of the same scenes because the city continues to change.

"We have the best of all worlds," said Williams. "Between the river and the ocean and the historic district, it's just large views we have to paint."

Williams likes to paint scenes in along the Cape Fear River because the city has a certain color, a pastel look created by the heat and humidity. But Ronald does not limit his art work to scenes of Wilmington.

He has also created works from the coastal cities of Charleston, SC; Savannah, Geo. and even St. Augustine, Fla. But his memories of growing up in Wilmington remains his favorite.

"People come in and look and say I've got that one, and I've got that one, and that one," said Williams. "I have to make sure that I paint new things so they will have the challenge to buy something new."

Copyright 2010 WECT. All rights reserved.