Welcome to the artworks of William (Bill) Erlenbach. I am currently located in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada.
Some say mixing landscapes, wildlife, still life, and figurative subjects, especially on a website, is marketing folly. So be it. Painting is storytelling and the paintings on this site are part of my story. I hope they evoke something of your story, too. For our stories are now interwoven, even if by a slender thread. The late author Richard Wagamese wrote, “we are story,” and in these paintings you see some of my pages.
I try to maintain a unity of style throughout the different genres, though if you don’t see it, I understand. I am drawn to subjects with an air of moody romanticism. My landscapes are almost always a scene I have experienced and photographed. The same is true of most of my, albeit limited, selection of wildlife paintings. I avoid painting something just because it is there. My muses have to move me to be worth the time and effort.
My figurative works follow the same criteria, leaning toward moody romanticism and the need for the composition to move me. This becomes even truer of nudes, implied or otherwise. (I wrote about my philosophical perspective of the nude figure in a newsletter for those interested.) Often the subject is looking away from the viewer, drawing the viewer into a somewhat voyeuristic interaction. We are peering at a page of the subject’s life. My process of painting figurative work is often different from landscapes. Affording the luxury of having a model sit for hours when I have time in my studio is a vexing challenge. Instead, I work collaboratively with a few select photographers and models they work with to provide quality reference material that I work into a complete composition.
Currently, I paint almost exclusively in oils. I like the softness and glow of the medium. There is something primal and sensual in it. The oils, linseed, safflower, and walnut are natural mediums, as are most of the pigments I use. Gamblin is my go-to brand if you’re asking.
Some would consider me a self-taught artist, but claiming that would be intensely arrogant. I’d rather think of myself as having a self-directed education through observing other artists, studying their works and muses, studying countless books, and the many excellent videos available. I owe a debt of gratitude to the many artists who have freely shared their knowledge. As to my influences, there are many. I have been particularly impressed by artists such as AY Jackson of the “Group of Seven,” Robert Bateman, Jacob Collins, Warren Chang, Oman Ortiz, as well as old masters like Titan and Caravaggio, and many more. Of course, I make no claim to paint like them (style or otherwise) or have anywhere near their mastery of the medium and subjects. I can assure you, stepping in front of a blank canvas is a humbling experience.