This artwork was unveiled at a lovely event during Homecoming at GVU’s beautiful campus in Des Moines, IA, on September 23rd. We were honored to attend and to celebrate all of GVU’s tremendous accomplishments and successes.

William’s painting, Grand View Zeal (48″ X 48″ – acrylic on canvas), was created with multiple layers intending to bring honor to the origin and history of the college as well as to all the faculty, students, staff, and supporters throughout the years and to the present. Yet William also intentionally created this painting to be vibrant and modern revealing how the Grand View Vikings are thriving with an exciting future. 

At the event, William was able to speak and share on the making of this artwork (please see some of the photos below). We are honored as this finished painting is now installed in the student center on the GVU campus.

William was especially honored as the GVU leadership selected him to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award. William was presented with this award the same evening as when the artwork was unveiled. 

All of this was particularly touching as Prof. Dennis Kaven (tremendous professor, adviser, and William worked with him for a few years at GVU too) and Coach Blair Reid (tremendous soccer coach) attended the event and introduced William. Both of these men are very accomplished and have been a great mentor and friend to William. And they both have wonderful wives too! What joy it was to be reunited and to celebrate with all attending!

When receiving the award, William spoke humbly and with honoring words. It was a fabulous event!

(As William’s wife, I am certainly proud of William. He is a man of brilliant character and talent. I am truly grateful to GVU for recognizing William with this award and for the standing ovation all gave him and the meaningful artwork he created.)

Special thanks to the incredible leadership of Bill Burma, LB Lyons, and all their team. For more information, please view: https://www.grandview.edu

William created this celebratory painting with multiple layers (some of which are highlighted above). The first layer commemorates Grand View University’s 125th year as an important academic institution. The second layer highlights the Des Moines skyline as GVU has been an integral part of the success of the city throughout the many years. The third layer displays GVU’s Danish and Lutheran history with the iconic Old Main (Danish architecture – built in 1896) which is the lovely Humphrey Center today. The monochromatic interplay of these layers are complemented by the translucent red colors which emphasize the Grand View University colors as well as reveal a powerful, symbolic, and distinctive GVU Viking (Go Vikings!).

Symbolic icons of hope & love   

Since November, William has been creating a powerful new series of paintings. We are excited to reveal this art to you now, and we hope it will be a blessing to you.  Revelation Love is a series of 12 paintings which depict beauty, strength, hope, and love. These paintings are composed of multiple layers of texture and color which reveal both typographic and figurative imagery reflecting the everlasting revelatory love of God.

Vibrant colors, rich textures, semi-translucent image layers, and contrasting surface finishings express a simultaneous tension and harmony between the visual relationships found in each painting.

Immersing the word LOVE with the face of a Lion is an endearing expression of God’s great love, power and protection that overcomes every challenge in the world and brings Hope to all. Love triumphs over all!Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:11 

To view the entire series of original paintings – REVELATION LOVE 

To purchase original paintings, please CONTACT US

Please view the following and participate online: Easter Service at Sunnybrook Church – Sioux City, IA

William hopes to paint live from his studio in Camden, NJ, in partnership with Easter service at Sunnybrook Church.    

For more information: http://www.sunnybrookchurch.org/event/1770104-2020-04-12-easter-2020/ 

Special thanks to Pastor Jeff & the incredible Sunnybrook leadership team. 

The 59th Annual Iowa Prayer Breakfast – Des Moines, IA

For more information: http://iowaprayerbreakfast.com/covid-19/
Special thanks to the incredible Iowa Prayer Breakfast leadership team.  

The following paintings are now installed in the JHSC. William’s painting, Radiant Camden (30″ x 60″ – acrylic on canvas), depicts the stunning new Camden waterfront and is installed on the 1st floor of the Center. William’s painting, Jardin de Esperanza – Hope Garden (30″ x 60″ – acrylic on canvas) is an impressionistic reflection of a hope-filled landscape of bright sunlight in a lovely garden scene; this artwork is installed on the 2nd floor. The other three paintings are a triptych from William’s Camden Beautifulseries; they are entitled Camden Spirit (30″ x 30″ – acrylic on artist panel), Mainstay (32″ x 36″ – acrylic on canvas), and Steadfast Hope (30″ x 30″ – acrylic on artist panel). This artwork highlights the people of Camden’s strength, courage and resilience and is installed on the 3rd floor. Our hope and prayer is all who view these paintings are encouraged and inspired by the art.

JHSC is a brilliant new hub for cutting-edge research, education, and training. The $70 million 100,000-square-foot facility is the result of a partnership between three of New Jersey’s leading academic institutions – Rowan University, Rutgers-Camden University and the Camden County College. Congratulations and special thanks to the incredible leadership team which made the JHSC a reality in Camden. This team includes the tremendous Dana L. Redd, Chief Executive Officer of the Rowan University Rutgers-Camden Board of Governors (and former Mayor of Camden), the Board of Governors, and the City of Camden. Their work is a significant achievement for Camden which will positively impact the city, the region, and beyond. What a blessing this is as Camden will now be known as a city where the most innovative advances in science and medicine are occurring and where important collaborative work among educators and researchers is saving lives. 

For more information on the JHSC, please view: https://today.rowan.edu/news/2019/10/joint-health-sciences-center-opens-in-camden.html 

https://magazine.camden.rutgers.edu/2019/10/a-shared-space-for-science/

https://www.camdencc.edu/news/joint-health-sciences-center-opens-in-camden/   

Also, special thanks to the Joint Board Art Committee as well as Sandy McAndrew and Dean D’Astuto.

We are honored to partner with incredible organizations and individuals with William’s live, commissioned, and studio art. We are thankful for the support and for being connected to wonderful communities in and near Camden and throughout the nation.

Please know William is accepting live and commissioned painting requests. If you are considering William’s live or commissioned art for a loved one, an organization, or an event, please feel free to contact us.

This Gala was a fabulous event showcasing amazing young people from Camden and honoring leaders in Camden. The 2020 honorees were American Water, ResinTech, and Subaru –  all of these companies do great work in the city. We are grateful to be partnered with the incredible leadership of the Boys & Girl Club of Camden County. Their tremendous work is positively transforming the lives of youth (and families) in Camden. 

For more information, please view: https://begreatcamden.org   

Special thanks to Dawn Garlic, Sabine Mehnert-Roehm, and Bernadette Shanahan.

Akbar Gbajabiamila hosts NBC’s three-time Emmy Award-nominated hit competition series “American Ninja Warrior,” which is in its 11th season. He is also host of “American Ninja Warrior Junior” on Universal Kids. For more information on Akbar Gbajabiamila’s work and accomplishments, please view: https://www.nbc.com/american-ninja-warrior/credits/host/akbar-gbajabiamila

William is grateful to have created this art for Akbar and his family, and he is humbled by Akbar’s excitement receiving Invincible Spirit and desiring to install the art in his home in LA. Akbar is a talented and successful athlete/actor/host/author with a kind and generous heart toward all.

That morning in Camden, Akbar discussed the challenges he faced growing up in the inner city Crenshaw District of LA (his parents were born and raised in Nigeria). He encouraged the Camden students stating they can overcome challenges and reach their goals creating a positive impact in their families and communities. We were blessed to spend time with the leadership at HB Wilson School and with many wonderful students at the school.

Special thanks to Reverend Floyd White and Bonnie White who have led WoodlandCDC for 30+ years in Camden. We thank them both for their many years of incredible service to youth and families in Camden. For more information on WoodlandCDC, please view: http://www.woodlandcdc.org

Also, special thanks to Lynn Fryckberg, a Senior Vice-President at UBS Financial Services, located in Mt. Laurel, NJ.

Special thanks to Richard Rohrer, Juan Perez, Justin Perry, and all of the Esperanza leadership team. Also, special thanks to the tremendous Dr. Daria Chacon.

For more information on the amazing work of Esperanza Health Center, please view:https://esperanzahealth.com