Featured artist: Janice Williams

Picture of Janice Williams — **Janice Williams**

BIOGRAPHY

I am a retired marketing communications professional. I am married and have two daughters and one son. I have three beautiful grandchildren (and one on the way). Along with my husband, I run a community arts organization (Roslindale Arts Alliance) that represents and promotes local artists. We also raise money to provide youth with art scholarships. For twenty years, I co-produced a live television show called, “It’s All About Arts”, shown on local access TV stations. I spend my time writing and doing art using a variety of media. I am a lifelong resident of Boston MA.

INTERVIEW

confetti: Art takes many forms. Painting, sculpting, digital, and even writing and poetry. Which form(s) do you work in?
Janice Williams (JW): I write, and do art in multi platforms – digital, painting, drawing, collage and decoupage.

confetti: Who or what inspired you to write or create art?
(JW): My 7^th grade teacher (a nun) who said I could never be an artist.

confetti: How would you characterize your artistic style?
(JW): Colorful and Eclectic.

confetti: Favorite artist or artistic style?
(JW): Vincent Van Gogh.

confetti: Who is your favorite poet and why?
(JW): Maya Angelou – writes with deep passion and humanity without bias.

confetti: What are you currently reading?
(JW): My Sister’s Grave by Robert Dugoni.

confetti: What are your three favorite books?
(JW): The Red Coat by Dolley Carlson, 1984 by George Orwell, The Sound and the Fury by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

confetti: What are your three favorite movies?
(JW): Dr. Zhivago, Aquaman, Magical Mystery Tour.

confetti: What is your favorite song of all time?
(JW): “Imagine” by John Lennon.

confetti: What advice would you give to young artists?
(JW): Create for yourself and do not seek acceptance for your art from anyone but yourself.

GALLERY

Picture: "Autumn Glow" — **Autumn Glow – digital image**

Janice Williams: "Day Dreamer" — **Day Dreamer – paper collage on canvas 10 x 10**

Janice Williams: "Autumn Glow" — **The Red Birdhouse – acrylic on canvas 16 x 20**

Picture: "Golden Apple Tree" — **Golden Apple Tree – acrylic on 10 x 10 canvas**

POETRY

By My Side

He sings with such enthused intent
I love that I know just what he meant
Sweet melodic words that fill the air

I hear those words and tunes as they begin
I know the source is from deep within
I never tire of watching him create

The final song is worth the wait
These treats of sound from my mate
Forever holds my heart in place

Again, he sings the song “By My Side”
His feelings for me cannot be denied
I feel at peace and happy too

The Dash

Waiting for the bell to ring
A finality to close it out
A minute, an hour, a day, a year, a lifetime

The journey has been intense and full
Every step and misstep eager and expressive
Sometimes happy and sometimes woeful

Love in abundance and even love lost
Grief and bliss walk side by side
Tears of joy, laughter, and heartbreak

The total distance to travel is not revealed
So little for some and an eternity for others
The time however long passes quickly

Grateful for life and all its experiences
Accepting of more and more
Yet full well knowing how it ends