William J Dynan

As a freshman in high school, I was required to take my first art course. This was very exciting to one who had been drawing since he was old enough to hold a pencil. The art teacher, a somewhat aged and grumpy “old maidish” lady, began her lesson by trying to teach us “perspective” and I went merrily on my way drawing a railroad track and telephone poles disappearing into the distance, and satisfied with the results, proceeded to paint my sketch. When the teacher saw me painting she became infuriated and snatched my drawing, ran to the sink and washed it completely off. Regardless of this sad turn of events, I taught myself to use oil paints and watercolors, finding the greater challenge in using watercolors. After graduating high school, I enlisted in the army and was sent to photography school. I spent four years as a U.S. Army photographer and I suspect that my training my have influenced my style of art. After discharge from the Army, the G.I. bill afforded me the opportunity to complete my Bachelor of Arts degree at Montclair State College. While teaching, I completed my Master’s degree work in school administration and soon after became an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University and Jersey City State College. Subsequently, I was honored to become a member of New York’s Salmagundi Club and retiring from teaching after some 46 years, to be invited to membership in New Jersey Watercolor Society. My paintings have been displayed in various art exhibits and have received numerous awards. I certainly would like to show the high school art teacher some of those awards. How sad that she could have stifled so much creativity during her teaching career. It is so rewarding to realize that my avocation of painting has brought pleasure to many private and corporate collectors.