By Emily Williams
Ed Wilson of Mountain Brook said he isn’t a lifelong painter so much as an accidental one.
It was Wilson’s career in pathology that brought him to Birmingham. He was a pathologist at Children’s of Alabama, and after his retirement from Cunningham Pathology in Mountain Brook, he stumbled upon painting as one way to stay active.
“The joy of painting caused me to realize that retirement can be an active career change rather than a prolonged rest period,” he said.
An oil painter of primarily realism, he enjoys depicting landscapes, portraits and the odd still life.
“For me a portrait is a way of remembering impressive people that I have met,” Wilson said. “They aren’t for sale and they weren’t commissioned.”
He finds his subjects through life experiences, from trips home to his native Mississippi all the way to Guatemala.
“Travel is a great privilege and allows me to see dramatic landscapes and interesting people for portraiture,” he said.
Initially, Wilson joined the Mountain Brook Art Association to meet other artists. Along the way the MBAA has given him opportunities to further his skills through demonstrations and workshops.
“The visual experience of art feels natural, but creating a satisfactory painting requires technical knowledge that comes from study and experience,” he said.
Having embraced his time with the association, Wilson now serves as a leader of the group. He considers himself best suited to provide administrative assistance within the pack, since he is a newer artist, and currently serves as president-elect, on his way to the highest administrative position.
Right now, Wilson and his more than 200 fellow MBAA members are gearing up for Art in the Village on April 22, one of the associations two major shows of the year.
“The mutual support helps those of us who are relatively new gain experience in marketing our art,” Wilson said. “More experienced artists have the opportunity to connect with their local base at each show.”
The show will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Crestline Village on Crestline Elementary’s sports field.
The annual art show, which is open to the public, will feature the works of more than 85 association members.
Though music is always a festival staple, this year the association is adding activities on the lawn of City Hall. There, guests can listen to music by the Mountain Brook Jazz Combo and Mason Music from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., browse art by Mountain Brook Junior High students and have their faces painted by Magic City Face Painting.
Studio By the Tracks also will be stationed on the lawn, offering art created by the adults with disabilities who participate in the organization.
For more information, visit mountainbrookartassociation.com.