Bahamian Artist Bio

WILLIAM E. TERNES

BILL TERNES’ abilities to see and interpret his environment have been honed by over 60 years of creating watercolor and oil paintings. His affinity for the outdoors is expressed in his direct approach to painting with emphasis on nature’s luminosity. He synthesized various elements of nature into strong, vibrant, visual statements through his use of brilliant highly saturated hues and bold brush strokes. His paintings are thoughtfully planned, yet their execution reflects the willingness to take risks. His images are suggested rather than finely delineated, thus allowing the viewer’s imagination to play a pivotal role in the interpretive process. The paintings of Homer, Sargent, and Sorolla have significantly influenced his painting philosophy.

Bill is a plein air painter whose style is “loose but representative”. It invites viewers to bring their own imagination to the process of interpreting the painting. He says his goal is to make transparent and vivid color marks directly onto white paper rather than to employ a series of washes. Using this direct approach allows him to create a dynamic image. “By making accurate color, value and shape decisions, I am able to interpret the spirit of the objects or scene in a stimulating manner to create an accomplished painting.”