Botanical artist delivers program to PEO
Botanical artist and longtime Philanthropic Educational Organization (P.E.O.) member and supporter Susie Williams shared her artwork and creative process with P.E.O. Chapter GC, Wilmette, at its recent meeting.
P.E.O. is an international organization that provides education grants, scholarships and loans as well as operates Cottey College, an independent, liberal arts and sciences college for women in Nevada, Missouri.
Williams, a Wilmette resident, has shown and sold her art at juried exhibitions across the county over the past 10 years, most recently at the Union League Club's Member Art Exhibition, Chicago, and the esteemed Filoli's 21st Annual Botanical Art Exhibition in Woodside, California.
Though she majored in art in college, Williams spent her career over decades of teaching in the learning disabilities field, most recently at DePaul University, Chicago. It was only after she retired from teaching that she returned to her love of art.
She began taking watercolor classes at the Lake Geneva Art Foundation, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and studying with Heeyoung Kim, an internationally-known botanical artist, at the Brushwood Center in Riverwoods. Having always been drawn to nature, she focused her art on botanicals.
"I enjoy the details that they require," Williams said. "It is important to note the difference between what I do - which is botanical art (that) focuses on details and accuracy and can include imperfections - and botanical illustration, that has a scientific purpose and acts as a record of a plant specimen."
During her presentation to Chapter GC, she explained her process for creating each painting. First, she finds a specimen that appeals to her, which can come from a garden nursery or the grocery store. Then, after making a series of drawings that she transfers onto watercolor paper, she begins to paint from both photos she has taken and the live specimen.
"The most difficult stage is to start!" Williams said. "First, I decide on my palate, mix my colors and try them out on a watercolor scrap of paper, comparing them to the actual specimen. Then I delineate form on my painting by using lights and darks first. If the form isn't right, the painting isn't right. Lights and darks give the specimen depth, preventing a flat painting."
Williams can take up to three weeks - painting around four hours a day, five or six days a week - to complete a single painting. Her paintings range from flowers and bulbs to birds' nests to fruits and vegetables. William's original paintings and drawings can be seen on her website: https://www.susiewilliamsbotanicalart.com.
Williams has contributed her art in several ways to support P.E.O. fundraising efforts - including creating cards featuring P.E.O.'s official flower, marguerites, to sell to members - and donating paintings for fundraising auctions.
When she moved from Fontana to Wilmette, Williams offered a sale to Chapter CS Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, to reduce inventory of original matted and framed paintings. The members' purchases, totaling $1,000, was donated to P.E.O.
Williams is providing 100 greeting cards, showcasing two of her original paintings, to benefit the P.E.O. Wilmette chapter's 75th anniversary rummage sale. It will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 13, and Saturday, Sept. 14, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the home of Julie Busse, 1133 Hunter Road, Wilmette. Cash-only purchases will benefit the P.E.O. Foundation.
"Susie stunned us all with her watercolor botanical art," said Julie Schmidt, Chapter GC president. "Susie's work is juried throughout the USA and is extraordinary in its beauty, detail and use of color."
Williams' art will be on exhibition at the Winnetka Community House in September during the North Shore Art League's 95th Annual Members' Art Show. The show kicks off with the Opening Benefit Party on Sept. 6 and will run through Sept. 30 in the first- and second-floor galleries.
In addition to the exhibits, new this year, the benefit is offering lectures and demonstrations from guest artists. Visit http://northshoreartleague.org for more information.
P.E.O. is celebrating 150 years of supporting women's education. Since its inception in 1869, the nonprofit organization has helped more than 109,000 women reach their educational goals, by providing nearly $345 million in grants, scholarships, awards and loans. P.E.O. also owns and supports Cottey College, an independent liberal arts and sciences women's college in Nevada, Missouri.
What started with a bond of friendship among seven women at Iowa Wesleyan University, Mount Pleasant, Iowa, is now one of the oldest women's organizations in North America, with close to 6,000 chapters.
Through membership, the P.E.O. sisterhood has brought together more than a half million women in the United States and Canada who are passionate about helping women advance through education, while supporting and motivating them. In addition to the educational philanthropies, the P.E.O. sisterhood provides a framework of support and community for all members.
To learn more about P.E.O., its educational philanthropies and to view stories of women who have benefited from the programs, visit http://peointernational.org.