Art Expression

Plains Navy veteran David Williams is well known for his artistic abilities. He is the master behind the 1,000-foot long painting of running horses that was featured near Plains last year and has his artwork featured in the U.S. Capitol. When President Trump visited Missoula last year, Williams gifted him a painted scene of Missoula to take back to Washington, D.C.

Williams, a disabled member of Joint Operation Mariposa (a veterans' outreach organization), has suffered a brain injury and has found a love and passion for art. He is dedicated to sharing it with those in the community.

Recently, Noxon's elementary and high school art teacher, Veronica Colyer, invited Williams to share his abilities with students through the school's art program.

"It was really neat to have him come in, students were exposed to random and different kinds of art; not just clay, painting and drawing," Colyer said. "When he came here, he made sure all the materials are available at the hardware store so students can do the projects on their own at home inexpensively."

Williams spent two days at the school working with students in advanced art skills. Noxon elementary students receive instructed art class as part of their core curriculum and therefore were able to benefit from Williams' visit. Kindergarten through sixth grade students trained their hand and eye coordination by creating a palette knife painting. With the use of a blunt knife, Williams instructed this paint application procedure on a canvas rather than using a brush. The result is a smooth, blended look, like frosting on a cake.

Students in higher grades enjoyed learning how to complete a resin pour project. Williams demonstrated how mixing certain glues and resins and applying pigments can create artistic beauty. The first day of instruction, students practiced the technique by creating their own 8-foot by 10-foot pour. The second day, after becoming skilled at the method, students collectively created two additional masterpieces, a 3-by-5-foot piece that will be displayed at school and a resin table top for Colyer.

The days leading up to Wiliams' visit, Colyer prepared her students by discussing the life experiences of Williams, showing photographs of his artwork and discussing what new art techniques were going to be implemented.

Colyer described the experience as nothing short of remarkable. "It was so great to have him here and connect with the handful of our kids who have had brain injuries," she said. "The students didn't realize he does spray paint art. When they realized that, they arranged for him to return in the spring," Colyer commented, revealing the interest students have in bringing Williams back for more.