William Ishmael
William Ishmael
Hello, my name is William Ishmael and I’m from Sacramento, CA.
William Ishmael has been a painter for the last 25 years, beginning with watercolor landscapes and progressing to large abstracts utilizing latex paint, sand, organic materials, and the natural elements of the weather to achieve the weathered, multilayered effects on many of his canvases. His primary focus has been on commissioned work and he has an outstanding list of clients and is widely praised for the way in which his paintings enhance his client’s homes and offices.
William’s accomplishments include being named Sacramento Art and Business Council’s “Artist of the Year” for 2011 and, in 2014, having his 9 foot by 12 foot work “Wholeness and Fragmentation” accepted by SMAC for permanent installation in the Sacramento County Administration Building.
Website: www.iamishmael.com
Location: 10th & I Street
About my traffic utility box design:
“Running Away from Home”
Original Medium:
My utility box is at the corner of 10th and I Streets. My box has a view of City Hall, but is really trapped by the Cal EPA Building from running free. so I envisioned that the little utility box would like to get away form the EPA Building. So I did a trompe l' oeil of the pink granite base of the building. The feedback I got from some of my friends was to make it more than just a replica. Like add bird doo to the box.. well judging by the ground around the box...that issue will settle itself soon enough!
I did add some little snails crawling up to sides of the box - nod to anyone who has tried to grow a garden in Midtown. Snails are in abundance!
Location: 16th and Capitol (legacy work from 2014)
About my traffic utility box design:
“With Age comes Wisdom”
Original Medium: Rusted steel plates
My art is typically abstract and spontaneous, occasionally bright and colorful and often reflecting effects of oxidation and corrosion. The intention is to develop a multi-layered, rich texture reflected even in an image of the work, which hopefully induces the viewer to ponder. To achieve this effect I often paint in the outdoors, or simulate the outdoors, to reflect the conditions of the time the painting was being done — whether that is wind, rain, fog, or searing summer heat. They are done incorporating latex paint, American River sand, iron filings, acid, clay, water, and/or rust.
More work from William Ishmael
Here’s my little box with his big overbearing family members!