Robert Bruce Williams passes away
 

You can find an article about him on John Sanden's World of Portrait Painting web site. http://www.worldofportraitpainting.com/

"i Am Wills"
 

"What can your name be altered to a sentence"? I asked Robert Bruce Williams.
Obviously he had no time to play words, for him to play words is a luxuary he could not afford, and empty but not this one:
"I AM WILL", I told him with a smile.
"Williams, not William", he said before this game time.
What I mean in strong will.
http://www.earthtym.net/13-strong-will.htm

"The difference between perseverance and obstinacy is that one comes from a strong will, and the other from a strong won't."

I only wish I had had the chance to meet this man.

I did however have a job for a family who had RBW paint the first daughter. What I recall from this, and perhaps other anecdotes is this:

Robert would ship to his clients in advance,the canvas for the subject.
He would show up/ move in, in his best suit, to paint from life. I don't know who to credit with this, perhaps John Howard Sanden, wherin Robert was asked why he would paint in his beatuiful suit, as it was sure to get ruined. Robert's reply was (paraphrasing, of course) "There is nothing more important for me at this moment in painting this portrait, and I bought this suit just for this moment."

Wow.

"There is nothing more important for me at this moment in painting this portrait, and I bought this suit just for this moment."

I love this quote. It sounds like he was an interesting individual of strong character.

I have to interject a chuckle, finding it amusing that Chris and Enzie would like this quote. I know for a fact that Enzie paints in drop dead georgious skirts and dresses (having painted next to her in my torn kahkis and paint stained t-shirts). And I have heard from friends who have studied with Chris in her home, that she paints on WHITE carpeting!!!

Hmm. It used to be white.

Love may come and go, but Ultramarine Blue footprints seem to be forever.

Seriously, I love thinking about RBW as he is recalled. It is a real privilege that someone would choose you, or me, or anyone, to do such an important job. I always try to dress up for sittings ( for me, LOL, camera , no paint), plan that my luggage won't arrive, and that I need to be comfortable during inevitable airport mischief.

Patti...I don't know what to say... ;)