William Dolan painter

My paintings come from very strong emotional and physical ties to the city. Ties that stem from living and working in the urban environment all of my life. While growing up in Chicago, I was very conscious of my surroundings. I can remember in vivid detail the many different apartment buildings and neighborhoods of my youth; the lasting impression that riding the “L” for the first time left with me; the peaceful, dark city streets at 4 AM when I set out on my paper route. Memories like these are what inspire me. Feelings I try to capture on canvas. A collection of images that continue to grow every time I take a midnight stroll around the city or catch the “L” on a hot summer’s day. I’m interested in the concept of renewal. The continuation of time and its eff ect on the city. I look for the old and the new ­ and how they coexist. An abandoned railroad car residing silently next to a large factory building recently reinvented as a luxury loft. An antiquated iron bridge rising up behind fresh, vibrant ? owers. A crumbling foundry wall adorned by a neon sign reading “Casino”. Signs of renewal are evident throughout the city. In the midst of decay, progress emerges in many shapes and forms. Hopeful signs that belie the often maligned reputation of the city. It is from these images that I paint.

William's website • www.dolanart.com