Irene K. Williamson
Visual Alchemist

Irene K. Williamson is a collage artist whose mixed-media pieces can vary from almost realistic to pure abstraction. Her works are composed of hand-painted papers, found materials and objects, and acrylic paints. Her approach has earned her the title “Visual Alchemist.” Actually, she is a chemist turned alchemist. Irene holds a BS degree in Chemistry from Queens College in New York. She now transforms bits and pieces of ordinary materials into works of art. In addition to her mixed media pieces, she also works in acrylics and pastels. Ms. Williamson’s paintings create a unique chemistry between artist and viewer that has made her work highly appealing.

She studied art at New York's Art Students League while pursuing a career in chemistry, marketing and public relations. After 17 years as an executive at Avon Products, she started her own consulting company, Williamson International, specializing in international communications and published an international, subscription newsletter called International Parallels. Most recently she has studied with nationally known artists like Joyce and Don Nagel, Eydie Lampasona, Carrie Brown and Sally Strand.

Her artwork has been accepted into several juried shows. Most recently, she had all three entries accepted into the 2007 Art League of Hilton Head’s National Juried Show. She was the recipient of the Golden Palette Award in 2002, and received an Award for Excellence in the 2005 Hilton Head Plantation Artists Annual Juried Show. In 2006 she assembled a group of 13 abstract artists who created a show called “ArtBeyondTradition.com.” The show was held at the Arts Center of Coastal Carolina and drew record crowds to the venue. Back by popular demand, the ArtBeyondTradition group of artists will be presenting their 2008 show in the same venue. This show has been named, “On the Edge.” Last year, Irene’s mixed media piece titled “Derelict City,” won the Best of Show Award in the Society of Bluffton Artists’ Annual Judged Show.

Since this show, her work tends more toward abstract paintings, though many continue to contain some collage elements, as well.

Irene Williamson’s work can be seen at the Hilton Head Art League Gallery, the Society of Bluffton Artists Gallery and the Signature Gallery of Savannah in Savannah, Georgia. She is a member of the Hilton Head Art League, the Society of Bluffton Artists, the Hilton Head Plantation Artists, International Society of Experimental Artists, and the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, DC. Several pieces are in private collections in the U.S., France and England.