As one foot follows the other throughout the halls of Jesuit, the only repetitions other than the seas of scrambling navy blazers are the walls, the structures of our community that resonate with names of the achieved and artistic masterminds. However, while perusing through the art on the Jesuit campus or reading the Monthly Art Focus, one may falsely assume that the Jesuit Dallas Museum only celebrates accomplished and the most highly valued of artists. Though not visible at first sight, searching through the nooks and crannies of the Jesuit community reveal an impressive amount of rising talent and creativity, but this discovery raises more questions: Where do the current creative students and faculty now emerging as artists fit in? Where are their white plaques with names celebrated in fine black? Will Mrs. Elizabeth Hunt Blanc and the museum ever pair these artists’ accomplishments with the adored white plaque? One candidate likely for success is our Sophomore Counselor and Soccer Coach Mr. David Williams, who was featured in the Jesuit Dallas Museum’s November exhibition, “A Musical Offering.”
“First of all, I think your interview idea is flattering,” Mr. Williams remarked. “I have trouble imagining myself as an artist.” To Mr. Williams, the acquisition of the title, “artist,” requires sacrifice and ultimate dedication, so he views his painting as a hobby. “It’s what we love and enjoy that defines who we are, so I guess that I can consider this legitimate.” However, Mr. Williams has shown sacrifice and dedication to artwork in his student years at Jesuit by taking four art classes instead of the required two, just for an opportunity to express his creativity with his peers. Through the inspiration of his friends and his incredibly creative mind, Mr. Williams has gradually incorporated himself into the movement of abstract art.
“I’ve been drawn to it more and more. The more abstract and more nonrepresentational, the more intrigued I am,” says Mr. Williams. Representational and “ordinary” art plays it safe, so he naturally favors more abstract art. *However, Mr. Williams has never given himself enough leeway or credit to paint abstract art until a particular gathering with his friend Jay Schnitzus ’96 when his artistic future changed forever. At that commune of artists, Mr. Williams admired the style of Jay’s painting (though Jay never became an artist) more than his own. “What he was doing just felt more fun,” Mr. Williams stated, and he finally recognized his abilities in the abstract universe.
Although focusing on abstract art, Mr. Williams still retains connections to representational or realistic artwork. Whenever he initially formulates an idea or paints an image, he doesn’t paint a vibrant, abstract design, but rather a simple representation. From then on, the representation transitions into a series of more paintings that appear more and more abstract. For instance, his favorite designs, landscapes from West Texas, evolve into organic and colorful blends of originality. This (pictured above) remains the proudest of his artistic accomplishments, “brave enough and a definite risk in the real world” since representational art remains safe.
Calling it “A nice release,” Mr. Williams describes his abstract artwork as a “permanent outward expression” of himself. This is a universal truth of art for as the adage states, “the artist dies but the art lives on.” Now painting more than ever, Mr. Williams will pursue his hobby and cherish the abstract life.
