The Muscatine Art Center will open an exhibition by Muscatine native Bill Maher on Sunday, January 29th from 1 to 5pm. A reception for the artist will be 2-4pm. The exhibit continues through March 4, 2012.
Bill Maher was born at Belleview Hospital in Muscatine in 1947. His mother was a homemaker and his father served as the Muscatine Chief of Police. As a child he enjoyed baseball, fishing and "drawing stuff: any stuff," and says the he was influenced by comic books and the Sunday funnies, but did not get support for his artistic interests from family or teachers. After graduating from Hayes Catholic High School in 1965 Bill attended Muscatine Community College, was drafted into Army and served in combat in Vietnam. After leaving the army he returned to Muscatine, married and raised five children. An author as well as an artist, Bill has written several books and numerous poems. He has completed a major mural in Fairmont, Minnesota and is known locally for his portraits and wildlife paintings. Throughout his life Bill says that he has found comfort in his art..."it doens't matter what I paint; how I paint, or even if it's any good. It's THAT I paint that matters. If there is anything I'd like people t take from this display (at the Art Center) it would be for them to say, 'well, I could do that!' -and they'd be right".
"Create something from nothing and don't believe the Dream Quellers". - Bill Maher
Bill Maher was born at Belleview Hospital in Muscatine in 1947. His mother was a homemaker and his father served as the Muscatine Chief of Police. As a child he enjoyed baseball, fishing and "drawing stuff: any stuff," and says the he was influenced by comic books and the Sunday funnies, but did not get support for his artistic interests from family or teachers. After graduating from Hayes Catholic High School in 1965 Bill attended Muscatine Community College, was drafted into Army and served in combat in Vietnam. After leaving the army he returned to Muscatine, married and raised five children. An author as well as an artist, Bill has written several books and numerous poems. He has completed a major mural in Fairmont, Minnesota and is known locally for his portraits and wildlife paintings. Throughout his life Bill says that he has found comfort in his art..."it doens't matter what I paint; how I paint, or even if it's any good. It's THAT I paint that matters. If there is anything I'd like people t take from this display (at the Art Center) it would be for them to say, 'well, I could do that!' -and they'd be right".
"Create something from nothing and don't believe the Dream Quellers". - Bill Maher
