Artist William Welch received his art education at Ohio University with further study at the Philadelphia College of Art. A Cleveland native, he developed his love and skills in painting under the able instruction of prominent American watercolorists and master oil painters. He refers to himself as an "academic impressionist", drawing on his training in realism and expressive passion for light and color.
From miniature watercolor scenes of extreme fine detail to large and expressive oil murals and screens, Mr. Welch's style evokes the romance of color and light in the true impressionist's spirit. He has spent the last decade following a nineteenth century painter's path throughout Europe, concentrating in Normandy, northern Italy, Provence and Portugal. A frequent visitor to Giverny, Claude Monet's legacy of floral and natural beauty, he was even interviewed by a French television crew while he painted in the garden with other artists from many countries. As the impressionist discipline advocated, Mr. Welch considers his best studio to be outdoors in front of ever-changing nature.
His indoor studio in Nantucket, however, is the focus on many private and corporate art collectors who flock to the island resort for its charm, beauty and renowned artists' community.
In addition to teaching activities, William Welch is a member of painting societies - among them the National Watercolor Society, the Philadelphia Water Color Club (Signature Member), the Artist's Association of Nantucket and the Copley Society of Boston. His works are also represented in many prominent galleries in the East - including the Chadd's Ford Art Gallery, Chadd's Ford PA, the Robert Wilson jGalleries of Sarasota, FL, and the Gallery on Greene Street, Key West, FL.
Mr. Welch's current honors include recent inclusion in the new book, "The Best in Oil Painting", a Rockport Publications book. He is a contributor of work to the United States Department of State's Art in Embassies Program, and has been honored by President Clinton and Secretary Christopher for his support.
