Happy Medium

When visitors use their artistic talents to show their appreciation of the Historic Area, the living history museum comes to life in a new light. What follows are examples of how people, places and even animals moved these artists to share their love of Colonial Williamsburg.

“My watercolor miniature painting measures 2 inches wide by 3 inches tall. I felt that the intimate nature of a miniature painting was ideal for this subject matter.

“My husband and I came to Williamsburg for the first time to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary. Being from the West Coast and Early American history buffs, we were captivated with the living history experience on our visit.

“I was running around taking photos of gardens, people, everything! I had plenty of reference material for painting when I got home.

“This beautiful garden in particular, with the woman strolling through it, provided the cozy scene I was looking for.

“We hope to return to Williamsburg someday soon with 
our grandchildren!”

“I was 17 when I finished this project of stamped cross-stitch for my grandmother for Christmas in 1984. She loved Williamsburg! My parents spent their honeymoon in one of the [colonial] houses and eventually bought a timeshare nearby. My husband’s family lives close, just over in Yorktown, and my children have spent many vacations there attending Colonial Williamsburg events.”

“My inspiration came from my love and passion for history and historical architecture. I visited Williamsburg as a teenager and fell in love with the village and colonial homes and buildings preserved there. I absolutely loved the tour of the Palace and gardens — I think it was my favorite building to tour. It’s stuck with me for years, and it seemed fitting as a subject for a painting. I also loved the setting of the green and the two closest houses to the Palace — the Carter House and Everard House — seemed perfect to flank the Palace itself for the pano. I have great appreciation for Colonial Williamsburg and other living history sites like it that see the value in preserving and presenting the past to visitors who might otherwise never know what life was like before technology."

“Every visit to Williamsburg is an inspiration for me! I painted this meetinghouse because I’m always captivated by how the sunlight rests on it as we start and finish our days in Williamsburg.

“In 1956, my newlywed grandparents relocated to Williamsburg as my grandfather served in the Army at Fort Eustis. At the same time, my grandmother worked for Colonial Williamsburg. She was able to see the Visitor Center being built as well as the filming of The Story of a Patriot. Visiting Williamsburg has been a family tradition ever since.”

“My wife and I lived in Williamsburg for 50 years, raising our two children here, and I was lucky enough to work on the business end of Duke of Gloucester Street for 25 years. We come back multiple times every year to visit and enjoy how every-thing is always changing through the seasons, and this has happily coincided with taking on a new hobby of painting. This building, The Quarter, is at the corner of Francis Street and Colonial Street and was built in the early 1800s. It always in-trigued me in its simple, unique construction, with its bowed roof, and being near to other larger historic homes and how it plays in relation to the Williamsburg Inn.”

“Both of my daughters are graduates of William & Mary, and Colonial Williamsburg and the college hold special places in the hearts of our family. In my paintings, I aim to capture in a special way the joy of being in the Historic Area of Colonial Williamsburg.

“I feel that I came into my own as an artist during the seven years my wife and I lived in Williamsburg. I would hope that my paintings would inspire others to immerse themselves and enjoy Williamsburg. This is a uniquely transporting place to spend time. I hope others decide to go for a walk, take some photos and maybe even make some paintings of their own!”

“The Old Fifer was part of the street performers, and his name was Herb.

“I think Colonial Williamsburg is in my blood. I am addicted to the history. The architecture and the interpreters really bring it to life. We always stay in a colonial house when we visit annually. Love to hear the horses and carriages going down the street.”

“In 2022, I began to create kimonos of gardens from around the world, many of which I had visited. I realized gardens are reminders of mankind’s and nature’s successful cooperation. Until recently, I had focused on gardens from a diversity of cultures and civilizations. One day as I was visiting Williamsburg (I live in Williamsburg and love the Historic Area), I thought, I have never created a garden kimono that pays homage to Colonial Williamsburg! I selected the -Governor’s Palace gar-dens because of the combination of architectural features and the simple beauty.”

“I love the re-creation of our history that Colonial Williamsburg offers visitors and especially love to paint the carriages and reenactors traveling down colonial streets with historic buildings and trees allowed to grow to their full size as their backdrop. I have enjoyed portraying these scenes since moving here nearly 20 years ago. Proximity to Williamsburg’s Historic Area was a major reason we moved here, and we continue to enjoy living in these scenic historic and hospitable environs, with their more civil pace of life.”

“My wife and I started going to Williamsburg from Raleigh in the late 1970s, usually before Christmas. We eventually worked our way up to staying in one of the restored houses.

“I have always loved bluebirds. On one of our trips, I bought one of the pottery bird nesting boxes. I never got any blue-birds, but other birds loved the box.”

Acie is a 22-year-old artist in Richmond, Va., who loves visiting Williamsburg. He is featured in the Winter 2024 issue of the magazine Folk Art Messenger in the article “Acie Brown: Autistic and Adventurous.” In his words, “I like to take photos of historical places. Williamsburg helps me travel through time. It’s a great town.”

Show Us Your Art!

Share a high-resolution image of your artwork inspired by Colonial Williamsburg. You can send images to [email protected].