Celebrating Dataw Artists – Bill Tremitiere
Meet Bill Tremitiere, who, with a twinkle in his eye, describes his art as “either an experiment or an accident.” A talented yet self-effacing artist, Bill has been the driving force behind VAC’s quarterly exhibits for many years. We hope you enjoy learning about Bill’s passion for art and his genuine compassion for people.
By Marie Doyon and Bill Riski
Where are you from and what do you make?
I am from Pennsylvania and attended Grove City College, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. I then went to the University of Pittsburgh, receiving a Master of Social Work in Community Organization. I took a few art courses but didn’t learn much. My primary career was in human services: program administration, advocacy and resource development for children, refugee resettlement, mental health counseling, and working with people who are developmentally disabled.
As a boy, one of my favorite gifts was a Kodak Brownie camera which sparked a lifelong interest in photography. I saved my grass-cutting money to make my first serious purchase – a 35mm camera.
In the early 60s, I entered my first photography contest while stationed with the army at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, Texas. I took first place with an unusual view of the Alamo. I decided to stop while I was ahead and didn’t enter another contest for fifty years. I did make stained glass for a while until I was satisfied with that interest.
I especially enjoy travel photography; capturing the scenic beauty of nature, architecture, and candid shots of people engaged in ordinary life activities. Of course, if they are doing them in places like Paris, Provence, Tuscany, Greece, or the Low Country, I find them even more interesting to document. One of my projects a few years ago was to produce a hardcover book, Paris to Provence, a collection of my photos and paintings with narrative comments and historical perspectives on our travels to France.
How long have you seriously been pursuing art?
My first art teacher was my mother. We started with finger paints and crayons. I must have dabbled with watercolors, too, because my mother saved a picture that I did as a seven-year old-of an anatomically correct mermaid. That is, if you can have an anatomically correct mythical figure. But she saved the painting and gave it back to me when I was over fifty years old.
As a teenager, I graduated to “paint by numbers”- a new fad in the 50s for artist wanna-bees. My mother also taught me to paint walls and hang wallpaper. Those lessons served me well when, years later, I created a part-time business in remodeling and decorating called “Happy Hammer.” This allowed me to paint what I call “monochromatic murals” (i.e., paint walls with rollers!).
My late wife and I raised fifteen children (three “homemade” and twelve “pre-fab”-adopted) while both working full-time and part-time jobs. That did not allow much time for pursuing art. However, for many years I worked part-time in several art galleries and frame shops, which allowed me to work with a wide variety of art. I now enjoy framing my artwork.
This is one of the only collages I’ve ever done. It was the house in York, Pa, where we raised our children. I probably did this in the 1970s, using wallpaper, fabric, trims, and I sketched the house.
The house had 25 rooms but looked like a cottage. The houses on either side of ours had over 30 rooms and were much grander. Lots of great memories there!
What inspires you to create?
I paint whatever catches my eye and intrigues me. After retiring to Dataw in 2007, I finally decided to try watercolor. I took classes with Pam Hagan, Jennifer Kassing-Bradley, and Ted Jordan. Their patience and encouragement kept me painting. Later, to my surprise and delight, I received commissioned work and earned awards for some of my paintings and photographs. I also created a small business, Favorite Place Images, to sell my photos and artwork and provide art installation services.
Several years ago, I became prolific at preparing and painting gourds, which I call “Real Gourd Art.” Lately, I’ve been creating “Pottery Portraits.” I’ve always loved pottery-especially of the arts and crafts period. But I’ve never actually worked with clay. So, I’m creating two-dimensional paintings of pottery on foam panels, trying to make them appear three-dimensional. (Author’s note: three of these unique creations are currently on display in VAC’s summer 2023 art exhibit, “Anything Goes”)
Which artists have had the most impact on your creations?
What do they do and in what way do they influence you?
I especially like the work of the French and Pennsylvania’s Delaware Valley impressionists Andre Bourrie, Elizabeth Estavalet, and Joseph Barrett. Also among my favorites are John Singer Sargent and local artist Mary Segars. While I haven’t come anywhere close to emulating their work, I do enjoy the challenge of trying different techniques to achieve various visual effects. Frequently, I’ll start a painting with a subject in mind. But, the image becomes something entirely different. For example, I started a painting several years ago of the Atlantic coast, and it ended up being a scene of Texas Bluebonnets. Much of what I do is an experiment or an accident.
Is there a work of art that has changed your life or how you view the world in some way?
There is no singular piece of art that has impacted my worldview. I’ve been influenced by many artists of differing genres, especially by those from whom I’ve taken classes and workshops. Art has always influenced my visual and aesthetic appreciation of life. Color, design, and composition are particularly important to my appreciation of art. In fact, I could spend time just looking at color charts or an exciting view.
As a member of VAC, what do you like most about us?
Shortly after moving to Dataw, I joined VAC and was excited by the various educational programs and artistic opportunities. I began by helping to install the art exhibits and participated in the fall arts and crafts markets. Then in 2015, I was “accosted” by Dale Martin in the Publix dairy aisle and asked if I would be willing to serve as President of VAC. Even though I had not even served on the VAC board, it was virtually impossible to say “no” to Dale Martin!
So for the next two years, I served in that role with the tremendous support and guidance of Barbara Carakostas, the outgoing President, and Marj Shymske, who served with me as Vice President. Marj brought valuable business and management experience and a creative perspective to the VAC Board team.
Since then, I’ve continued to be involved with VAC’s art exhibit team, currently serving as co-chair with Anne Clements, a talented and amazing artist! Over the past two years, we’ve been fortunate to have the technical talents of Bill Riski, who, among other things, created the online registration process for our quarterly art exhibits. Bill’s efforts have significantly helped to bring VAC exhibits into the 21st century.
I am constantly impressed by the talents of our VAC artists in all media and the commitment of our many volunteers.
