Bio

William T. Hosner

Bill was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1950. He earned his BFA at Wayne State University and studied illustration at the Center for Creative Studies, College of Art and Design in Detroit. For 17 years Bill produced illustrations for companies such as Readers Digest, Field and Steam Magazine, CBS-Fox Video and The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

At the peak of a highly successful career in commercial art, Bill rededicated himself to fine art painting, intent upon building a new career which would allow him the freedom to grow artistically as well as spiritually. To further develop his artistic abilities, he enrolled in the Scottsdale Artists School in Arizona. There he studied under two master painters, Harley Brown and Dan Gerhartz.

Bill's work is solely dedicated to the art of plein air painting. For Bill it all makes sense; "A photograph freezes a moment in time. While, over a painting session everything is moving, changing... the artist as well as the subject. During that experience the work evolves, is dynamic and can take on the energies of life. Painting "en plein air" lifts my spirit. And in so doing it amplifies my recognition of a God given value and uniqueness in the world that surrounds me."

Recognition

Bill is a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America and the Pastel Society of the West Coast. He has received the Gold Medallion and been inducted in to the Master's Circle of the International Association of Pastel Societies. His work is represented in the book, Pure Color: The Best of Pastel and in DVD form, Hosner: Painting the Figure En Plein Air -produced by Artist Productions.

Awards

Grand Prize, First Place Figure and Still Life in the Pastel 100 Competition sponsored by The Pastel Journal

Pastel Society of America: Andrew Giffuni Memorial Award/2007 and Joseph V. Giffuni Award/2004

Northern Colorado Artists Association: First Place Award/2007 and Best of Show/2003

Before Their Eyes Plein Air Exhibition (Christensen, Dellinger, Gerhartz and Hosner): Crooked Tree Arts Center/2006

Carmel Art Association Plein Air Competition: Best Pastel/2005, Arts and Antiques Emerging Artist Award/2004 and Best Work on Paper/2003

Great Lakes Pastel Society: Best of Show/2002

International Association of Pastel Societies: Gold Medal/2001,1999

Connecticut Pastel Society, Degas Pastel Society: Award of Excellence

Best of Show - Pastel Society of the West Coast - 1997 and 2004

Photo of William Hosner by John Robert Williams

To be witness to Bill painting is like watching a fine musician ply his craft. Alone with his work he is at his most replete and finds his greatest joy and purpose.

"Life explodes before us in uncontrollable currents, too strong to resist, too sweet too ignore. There is preciousness to the moments we are given to live, the people we meet, and places we are in. I want to help people see that with as much sympathy and dignity as is humanly possible."