A Painter’s Life “TO BE CONTINUED!”

The Unstoppable Journey of Bill Abel, Artist and Instructor

Bill Abel began painting watercolors as a child and continued off and on throughout his schooling.   During his last year in college he realized his true calling was to paint but elected to finish out his degree in Biology at Florida State University.  This late realization was not enough to dampen his enthusiasm for painting, and he continued taking art classes while working at a college bookstore. 

Eventually, Bill was asked to teach mixed media art for kids at the studio where he had been taking classes.  He found he loved working with kids but that he had a lot to learn about teaching art.  It was around this time that Bill took a watercolor workshop with acclaimed artists: Tony Van Hasselt, A.W.S. and Judi Wagner.  The experience of painting with Tony and Judy was profound and provided much needed validation to the idea of living a painter’s life.  Of course, the differences between “living the life” and actually “making a living” at art are enough to squander any such grand schemes.  The reality is that success in art cannot be measured solely in financial terms.   And, through the past 15 years, Bill’s desire to learn and grow as a painter and teacher has carried him through the many ups and downs along such a career path. 

Bill took an additional weeklong workshop with Van Hasselt and was then asked to come along as his assistant for future workshops.  This was a true highlight for the aspiring artist/instructor.   Serving as Tony’s assistant for three such workshops inspired and motivated Bill to continue to teach art to children and adults.  While living in Tallahassee, Florida, Bill eventually opened his own art school, My Creative Niche, contracting with a dozen local artists in various art media, each teaching art classes to all ages.  While this was a terrific success and well-received, the tasks as both sole proprietor and stay-at-home father of three proved to be too much for Bill to maintain. 

Getting back to basics, Bill began teaching art at the Tallahassee Senior Center and after two years became the Art Program Coordinator for the center.  While working there he taught two adult classes a week and acted as curator and organizer for a number of juried student art exhibits.   Around this same time, Bill was elected to serve as President of the Tallahassee Watercolor Society and served for two years at that post.  

Opportunity knocked for his wife, Carol, when she landed a job as Director of Education for the American Pharmacist Association in Washington, D.C. and in May 2004 Bill and family moved to Falls Church, VA.   Bill has not wasted any time connecting with the arts in Falls Church, while also working for Falls Church City Public Schools as a substitute teacher and a special education paraprofessional.  These jobs served as a reminder to Bill that teaching and working with children is a natural and rewarding job for him.  While at Thomas Jefferson Elementary, Bill also had the opportunity to lead a summer enrichment mural project with rising 4^th graders.  The resulting painting of a James River vista now adorns the 2^nd Grade hallway. 

Bill has also enjoyed teaching parent/toddler, pre-school, and after school art classes at Stacy’s Ice Cream & Coffee Parlor in Falls Church.  To make ends meet and purchase a home in Falls Church, Bill found it necessary to take on additional work and found a job with the City of Falls Church as a school crossing guard, which he half-jokingly cites as a pinnacle career move since he finally had a corner-office with a view—a street corner that is!  That same year after working a summer with Tom Gittins at Art and Frame of Falls Church, Bill had a strong urge to follow his heart and work back into teaching and painting on a more full-time basis.  He has taught his Pushing Paint Art Class under the umbrella of Creative Cauldron for the past year and is looking forward to branching off into additional art adventures and most of all returning to his studio and doing what he loves—PUSHING PAINT!

Over the years Bill has been fortunate to sell a lot of paintings to both private and corporate collectors.  He continually paints commissioned paintings and murals.  Watercolor portraits of people and homes have been a mainstay for him.  Bill has also had his share of one-man exhibits that have been well received.  His work is currently on exhibit at Art and Frame of Falls Church.  Bill Abel can be reached at 703-283-6260 or on the web at www.WhereArtHappens.com.