Tim Williams on his British Contemporary Art
Tim Williams, a name synonymous with bold, expressive art, has a journey as unique and vibrant as his work. Raised in the working-class neighbourhood of Moss-Side, Manchester, Tim’s early years were far removed from the art world. He discusses his upbringing, personal challenges and everything regarding his art.
After losing his mother in a car accident at the age of two, Tim was raised by his grandmother. Despite these early hardships, he found curiosity and a “keen interest” in the Manchester Museum, where he loved exploring historical artifacts. However, Tim shared that this was not a common activity for him.
Tim’s foray into the art world began in the United States. In 1999, he moved to the US and started working for a software company specialising in 3D animation, contributing to iconic projects like Toy Story and Jurassic Park. “This position allowed me to work alongside professional digital artists, which significantly fuelled my interest in the field.” He then began to take art lessons and practice at home, which marked the beginning of his artistic pursuits.
Returning to the UK in 2005, Tim established a web design company, which he successfully ran for a decade. Alongside his business, he worked on independent website and graphic design projects, gradually honing his skills. By 2021, after relocating back to the UK from Spain, Tim had a vision : The Art Factory. He immersed himself in digital painting software, Photoshop and Illustrator, guided by numerous instructional videos on YouTube. Over the next two years, he created over 150 pieces, many of which are showcased today.
Tim’s dedication to mastering art is evident in his unique style. Spending ten hours a day over 2 ½ years, he studied the technical aspects of art design. “I was fascinated by blended colours, I studied William Turner and Claude Monet, while I drew inspiration from L.S. Lowry’s minimalist abstract figures and Jean-Michel Basquiat’s bold, free brush strokes. My goal was to blend these styles to create my own unique approach.” Tim believes “art should be expressive and bold, not overly neat. Unlike photography, art should leave something for the viewer to interpret and engage with.”
Tim’s creative process is meticulous and thought-provoking. Starting with a rough title idea, such as “Homelessness” or “Strong Women,” he expands it into subheadings, researching photos and paintings online to capture the essence of the theme. He plans every detail - the elements, emotions, colour scheme and additional objects - to convey the intended message. This groundwork leads to initial layouts and the final artwork, a process that can take anywhere from 10 to 30 hours.
Living in East Asia has significantly influenced Tim’s art. The intricate cultural architecture and vibrant use of colour, especially red, have deepened his appreciation for detail and colour in his work. He has also enjoyed depicting the facial features of Asian people and their accessories, and he describes this process as “enlightening.” He has been studying historic Japanese ink art and landscape works and finding inspiration in traditional depictions of Samurai and Geisha.
Despite working 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, Tim shares: “This passion extends beyond financial considerations; I would pursue this endeavour with equal dedication even if it were not my livelihood. My belief is in exploring and dedicating oneself to pursuits that bring true fulfilment and satisfaction.”
Tim is passionate about improving the representation of ethnic artists and those from lower-income backgrounds. He believes it starts with regular visits to local galleries from a young age and nurturing talented children in a supportive educational environment. “The education system should prioritize this exposure. We also need to identify talented children early and provide them with a nurturing educational environment to help their skills flourish. Professional artists should be invited into schools to give talks and offer long-term art support services.” Additionally, Tim says, “We need greater access to educational resources focused on the business side of art. Many artists have little knowledge of self-promotion, which must change. We cannot wait for galleries to come to us; artists need to develop the skill set to become independent and business-savvy.”
Tim’s art through:
WhatsApp: +44 7508 070 125
Email: taskwise@gmail.com
Instagram: @tim_theartfactory
Facebook: Tim Williams Art
