“l love to paint.

I don't mean the puppy licking your face kind of love. I'm talking about the screaming downhill thrill, on the fulcrum between fear and ecstasy, of the rollercoaster... like jumping naked with your lover into a vat of semi-liquid dark chocolate covered ginger, to hell with the consequences kind of love.

I was aware of my visceral connection with paint almost from the beginning. I remember "helping" my grandfather paint and varnish various pieces of furniture as a young child and watching, hearing, smelling and occasionally feeling the brush dipping into the can, into this magic liquid, then withdrawing the brush, bristles covered with glistening richness and sliding it across the freshly prepared surface, transforming an ordinary piece of wood or furniture. I was mesmerized by the whole experience. My grandfather knew. He got this special look when he asked "Hey Bill, ya wanna help me paint a table?" I could not and did not try to control my enthusiasm.

This passion drives my work.

People are the central expression of this passion. I work with other subjects but sooner or later human characteristics emerge.

I frequently introduce geometric shapes and somewhere along the way I realized the importance diagonals can have. They can be strong, supportive, elegant. Bring everything together.

HOWEVER!!!!!

The real reason I paint is the paint. I get into the lusciousness and gooeyness of the paint as I slather it around, mixing with the others, complementing and struggling with them all in a process I refer to as SPONTUITIVE.

I want the paintings to feel alive. You look at the painting and it feels as though the artist could return any moment and continue working. Not because it isn't complete, rather the aliveness is beckoning. STAY WITH ME, please.”

William Park was a beloved Portland artist, instructor, and friend to the Northwest art community. He began his career as a commercial sign painter, before eventually fully committing himself to art at the age of 41. He maintained a collaborative studio in Northeast Portland where he worked and held workshops for the last 35 years of his life. William “Bill” Park passed away in March of 2025, leaving the entirety of his estate to his family. We are dedicated to sharing his story and his artwork with as many people as possible, as we know he would have wanted.

You can follow along at @williamparklegacy