"I am taken by Bill's passion for painting, in part expressed by his confident, bold use of intense color and dynamic presentation, which is subtly balanced by his sensitivity towards his subjects."

- Claire

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Bill Stoehr’s dramatic paintings have earned him increased recognition and respect on the mainland and in Europe since our exhibit last year,” says Ochoa. “As the first gallery to recognize and showcase his talent, I’m proud to present a fifth exhibit of his new canvases and delighted that Virgin Islanders were able to be among the first to collect his work.”

 

Stoehr’s style keeps evolving, but his mark on the canvas is unmistakable – bold, vibrant and evocative. He describes his newest work as "inner-driven figurative." Working intuitively and with raw and powerful expressionistic strokes, his female figures seem to float on or emerge from the background. The emotion that once was derived primarily from the figure is now reinforced by the technique and the presentation. Stoehr’s best figurative work seems to stand as an abstract with his figures defining the composition as he combines abstract elements with hints of superbly crafted life-size figures.

 

2007 was and 2008 promises to be busy for Stoehr with shows in New York, Boulder, Denver, St Barths, Germany and of course St Thomas and speaking engagements and workshop presentations at venues including the Denver Art Museum.

 

“Stoehr’s worldwide travels and his continuing work with at-risk youth and children seems to translate”, says Gallery St. Thomas owner Claire Ochoa, “to a passion for life that overflows on to the canvas.”

 

The new exhibit by William L. Stoehr will be on view at Gallery St. Thomas, #1 Main Street, Upper Level, from Friday, February 15 to February 22. The exhibit is open to the public and all works are available for sale.

 

In '64 I was 16, living in Wisconsin, Willem de Kooning was my art hero and I thought that Iw as going to be an artist too. I became an engineer instead and ultimately president of the National Geographic Society's world-wide mapping operations. 40 years, several jobs, countries and cities later, I am back where I belong - in front of a canvas with a brush in my hand. so here is the deal, at 55, I simply quit the best job I ever had so that I could paint."

 

Stoehr began painting upon his retirement in 2003 as president of National Geographic Society's worldwide mapping operations. While primarily self-taught, Stoehr has been influenced by the works of Matisse, Degas, Kahn, and De Kooning. "I pored over the art collections in great museums and galleries around the world. Finally, I could no longer simply be a spectator - I had to paint." Stoehr has been anything but a spectator, painting his way into exhibits in St. Thomas, Denver, New York and Miami since beginning his career as an artist. "Stoehr's work stands apart from many emerging artists in his ability to cast aside any trepidation about painting from life and using strong colors. His enthusiasm, confidence and talent are all equally apparent in his pieces, creating a very exciting exhibit," states gallery owner, Claire Ochoa.

 

 

You know instantly when a painting is by William Stoehr. His style keeps evolving, but his mark on the canvas is certain - bold, vibrant and evocative. Stoehr, Destination's 2006 featured artist is increasingly valued and collected internationally. In 2008, he will be honored with shows in Germany, St. Barths, and Denver. Claire Ochoa of Gallery St. Thomas, who was the first to exhibit his work, will present Stoehr's fifth exhibit there on February 15, 2008.

Stoehr describes his painting as "inner-driven figurative." He works from the live model to convey a personally significant message or to elicit a response from the viewer. Working intuitively, Stoehr uses each stroke, drip or scrape to guide the next. What finally emerges from the creative chaos is a skillfully crafter figure of riveting effect.