By Audrey Anderson
Hometown Weekly Reporter
On Wednesday, February 7, The Walpole Public Library (WPL) held an opening reception for “Impressions” A Retrospective-William “Bill” St. George, 1939-2015. The reception was attended by family, friends, and fans of the Walpole artist, who admired St. George’s large-scale, impressionist, bright, oil-on-canvas paintings of horses, people, still life, and landscapes, all framed in shining gold.
Family and friends were eager to share that St. George was an engaging, warm, humorous, well-rounded man and a great father of two boys. He worked as a graphic artist at a large advertising agency until the 1990s, when he devoted himself solely to painting. He was a man-about-town in Boston, who was well-known and liked. His St. George Gallery was on Newbury St., and he had a studio in Boston. He also hosted a TV show called “Impressions” on Walpole Cable for over 20 years.
St. George was born with an artistic gift. From the age of 4, he was always seen with a sketch pad. He drew cartoons and excelled in art in school. Later, he continued to take lessons at the MFA and with a Polish painter in Sharon. He also taught his own students. He loved to travel to Maine, Paris, and Provence to paint landscapes, sometimes along with his students.
According to his wife, Jean, St. George painted quickly from a preconceived vision in his mind. Jean also noted that painting was therapeutic for him. St. George’s son Mike said that his father was a lighthearted, encouraging teacher, who told his students not to be afraid, but to dive right in to painting.
At the entrance to the Community Room, St. George’s own palette was displayed, along with his brushes and other tools. Toward the back of the room, a video showed him painting and taking part in a video project in Boston. His large, bright paintings lined the walls of the room. At the back of the room, a portrait of a laughing, vivacious Cameron Diaz drew visitors. A painting of the original Cheers bar linked St. George solidly to Boston. Other paintings featured portraits, landscapes, vases of flowers, horses, and buildings with beautiful lighting and nuance.
When viewing the St. George exhibit, it was easy to get a feel of the artist behind the paintings. Through the warm memories of the attendees, the personality of the man was clearly apparent. The exhibit was a beautiful tribute to a beloved local artist.
