Gail Williams grew up in northern Ontario where she developed a deep respect and love
for the rugged landscape and the power of mighty Lake Superior.
The first expression of admiration for her talent was winning the local newspaper’s
Christmas colouring contest when she was 9 years old. Her ardent cheerleader was her
indomitable grandmother who had travelled across the treacherous Atlantic ocean from
Finland with 2 small daughters, to make a new life as have so many.
She thought she was going to follow in the steps of famous artists, go to art school and
lead a bohemian lifestyle. However, that was not to be and she trained as a radiation
therapist, married, had 2 daughters and settled in Toronto.
She returned to her artistic roots later in life than originally planned, but she realizes that
her life lessons have informed her work in a way she could never have predicted.
Her paintings are guided by her intuition and are colourful and striking. Mostly using
acrylic and collage, they have been described as magical, irreverent, fantastical and
challenging at times. She likes to push the boundaries. You may be attracted by the
brightness of the colours or the unusual juxtaposition of figures, but you will always be
drawn into the stories and perhaps not so hidden messages.
The highlight of her career so far was being accepted into the 2019 Salt Spring National
Art Prize competition. 50 artists were selected from a field of 2000.
In 2014, she presented a project that she co-led at the renowned Odette Cancer
Centre at Sunnybrook Hospital on narrative writing and art in Helsinki at the
International Society of Radiographers and Radiological Technologists.
Her work is collected internationally and she is active in outdoor art fairs, local galleries
and online.
She returns to Northern Ontario several times every year to rejuvenate her creativity

What would life be if we had no courage to attempt
anything?” ― Vincent Van Gogh
‘What if?’ – that is my mantra every time I start a new
painting. As a non conforming intuitive painter, I rarely
start with a composition, or colour palette, in mind.
Instead, I let experimentation be my guide, leading to a
finished project that is equally thoughtful and
challenging as well as magical, striking and irreverent.
While a beautiful piece of work may develop through my
process, it is not my intention to make a pretty picture.
Above all, I value fun, courage and vulnerability in my
art making. My art is born by going against the rules or
ignoring them completely and appeals to the curious
and adventurous type. You may be attracted by the bold
colours but will also be drawn in by the subtle hidden
meanings.
With the power of visual art to both express and
connect, I look forward to discovering what you see in
my art. The options are endlessly exciting.