Bethany Harper Williams

Bethany’s work explores the abstract qualities of nature and its connectivity to the collective emotion – questioning what we see, what we remember, and the feelings these memories evoke.

Having spent her summers by the water, Bethany draws inspiration from the beach, captivated by both the calm and the energy of the water. For her, it is less about depicting reality and more about capturing a fleeting moment – one that may be deeply personal to an individual yet universally familiar.

Bethany’s style bridges impressionism and abstraction. The expanses of sky, beach, and water become opportunities to abstract the landscape into expressive brushstrokes, subtle textures, and simplified forms. Working primarily with palette knives and large brushes, she builds layered compositions of unexpected shapes, patterns, and colors, creating a dynamic interplay of energy and serenity. A low horizon line or the playful placement of gestural figures provide context to the expressive composition, inviting viewers beyond the literal and encouraging them to explore and revisit the playful elements within the painting.

After graduating from Concordia University in Montreal with a Fine Arts degree, Bethany worked for over 20 years as a graphic designer before dedicating herself fully to painting. She now divides her time between New York City, Maine, and Naples, Florida.