Bill Scherbak: Watercolor / Acrylic / Oil

The arts have always been an integral part of my life and as a child I would take time from a busy play schedule to draw and color. I disliked coloring books because they required me to stay in the lines limiting self expression. I preferred the freedom in my own creations. I worked as a musician in Cleveland Ohio for 6 years playing with several different groups. Jazz and Blues was and is my favorite musical form because of the freedom of expression. Sales and Marketing was my chosen profession and provided me with an opportunity to explore a different creative side. After many years in the corporate world my artistic side reawakened and in my early 60s I started painting again. I retired in January 2008 to paint and pursue life. After 69 years, I find that I still resist staying inside the lines.

I initially began working with watercolor and still enjoy working with it. However, I find that I like the strength, boldness and flexibility of oils. I start a painting with a basic idea or plan but many times during the process, a very different path or direction opens up. Oils give the flexibility to make dramatic changes in color, tone and shape as the piece developes. The theme can be maintained while the feel or emotion of the work can be altered.

One of my instructors described me as a narrative painter in that many of my works tell a story or provoke thought. I believe that a painting should communicate with and touch the viewer at some level. It’s gratifying when an individual personalizes one of my paintings with their own story.

Being a fun loving guy, I also enjoy doing whimsical works that are fun for me to paint and hopefully for others to view.