Renaissance Cowboy Bill McGinnis exhibits paintings at South Jefferson Public Library

Author: ITP News Desk | Published: 07/31/2012 | 160 Views | Short URL: http://itpwv.com/local/n/9013

W. S. McGinnis, who is known as Bill by his friends and acquaintances, is the featured artist for the South Jefferson Public Library in Summit Point, WV, for the months of August and September.  This is the first showing of his paintings, which are mostly abstracts in acrylic. McGinnis, who is 78 years old, a former Marine, was a cattle rancher by profession for most of his work life and didn’t start painting until after he moved to West Virginia after his retirement—and a heart attack—to be closer to family and grandchildren. 

Photography was the primary medium for McGinnis’s creative impulse over the years, and his family benefited from his desire and ability to “capture the moment” as his children and grandchildren grew up.  His camera was always at hand, and he captured thousands of images from extensive travels for work and pleasure.  He especially loved the Western landscapes of Montana and Arizona.  His photo “Daylight’s Burning” was published on the cover of Western Horseman.Besides his work in photography,

Bill is adept in woodworking, welding and carving, skills that he learned for his work life but that were put to creative use when the time allowed. He has created pieces of art in fired clay scuptures, gourds that he burned designs into, yard scuptures with “found” objects, and furniture.

He is also self-taught in all of his art projects.  His interest in painting was fired when he toured the Picasso Museum in Paris in 1995.  He observed that Picasso experimented in art continually in multiple forms.  He took to heart Picasso’s observation that it took him a lifetime to paint “like a child.”  Seeing that Picasso was influenced by African art and other painters he admired gave McGinnis the freedom that he wanted to borrow and adapt to his own work the styles of painters he admired and from art wherever he found it.  A gift from his daughter of a book of Australian aboriginal art inspired a whole series of paintings.  He discovered that artists Joan Miro and other well-known contemporary artists could help him develop his own style.

The South Jefferson Public Library is located on the corner of Summit Point Road and Church Street in Summit Point, WV.  The exhibit is open for the public for viewing in the months of August & September during library hours when the meeting room is not in use by another group.  Library hours are: Monday thru Thursday - 10-7, Saturday - 10-5, and Sunday - 1-5.  You may contact the library at 304-725-6227 or go to our website, http://www.sojeffersonlibrary.com/home.html, or Facebook page for more information.

A reception will be held for Mr. McGinnis on August 11, 2012, from 2-4 PM at the Library.  Refreshments will be served.  All are welcome to attend.

For further information contact Sue Floyd at the library, 304 725 6227