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The beautiful and often visually pleasing watercolors of local artist L.W. “Bill” Rettig Jr. are the featured paintings and show in the Studio Gallery for October at Artworks Around Town at the Centre Market in Wheeling. The opening for this show will take place from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on First Friday, Oct. 2. The opening is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be available.
Beautiful, graceful, boldly-yet-hauntingly hued are the watercolor paintings of one of Wheeling’s most well-known watercolorists.
“Rettig’s work is gentle and tranquil yet strikingly alive in a well effusion of color and tones that are the glory of the subjects of what he sees all around him – sun-drenched countrysides, wildlife, bustling streets, antiquated buildings, city life,” according to publicity information provided by Artworks.
“The almost delicate style of his work becomes even more fascinating when you meet him, for Rettig, in contrast to his art, is a bear of a man, a former Penn State fullback/linebacker who has lost none of his intimidating energy.”
Although essentially self-taught, Rettig has studied watercolor and pencil with Yar Chomicky at Penn State University and has worked with Richard Nitowski and Homer Hacker, A.W.S., who recognized early in Rettig’s career his unique passion and energy in his works.
Winner of many regional and national awards, he has held solo exhibits in Kansas City, Mo.; Cleveland, Ohio; Middletown, Ohio; Harrisburg, Pa.; Pittsburgh and Charleston, S.C.
Rettig’s works are part of many private and commercial collections. He has been commissioned by many large corporations for series for their executive offices, branches and customers. Among those corporations are Armco Inc.; Frank B. Hall; Equibank; PNC; Mellon Bank; Penn Champ; Amerikohl; Omega; HDH Inc.; A.C. Dellovade; Ellwood Federal Savings Bank; Eat’n Park; American Glass Research; Baglier Buick, GMC, Mazda; Citizen National Bank; Penn State and William J. Green and Associates. And in honor of Joe Paterno’s 300th career win at Penn State, Rettig was commissioned by the university to do a watercolor portrait of Sue and Joe Paterno.