A true Dutch artist painting in the style which the old masters were known for; William Vlek was born and raised in the Netherlands. As a child he was a witness to the Nazi occupation of Holland from 1940-1945.
The love and appreciation of art was instilled into William's earliest memories. Raised in his grandfather's family home, William was influenced by an entensive art collection accumulated by his parents and grandparents; a collection which included 19th and 20th century European art.
After immigrating to the United States in 1962 he made his home near the coast of California and enjoyed a successful career in the electronic and photographic in
dustry. He never lost his love of painting which he learned from hius mother and brother and always made time to create oil paintings inspired by the land and sea.
Since retiring to the northern coast of Oregon, William paints prolifically while mentoring local artist. His inspirations for new compositions vacillate between memories of chilhood filled with sialing the meren of Holland and the beauty of the Northwest coastal beaches and its communities.
While never living to far from his beloved ocean, his classical interpretations of shy and water have inspired the respect of collectors and admiration of other artist.
