A fascination for the water and the people who live and work on it are the driving force behind the work of George F. McWilliams. Having lived in the rural countryside of Southern Maryland all of his life, George never had to go far for the inspiration and subject matter. The connection between artist and subject is deeply rooted in his family history.
   His ancestors first came to Maryland shortly after the first landing on St. Clement's Island in the Potomac River. It was in this area that they settled. Many still live there, including the artist. It was in the early 1800's that George's family became involved in the Potomac River's maritime history. Both sides of his family were active on the river as watermen and shipbuilders. They sailed and built schooners, bugeyes, sloops and other working craft. It's not hard to understand how George's family history influenced his work. On many occasions, he would sit in the front yard of his grandparents' home with his great-grandfather listening to him recount his days living in the lighthouse on the St. Clement's Island. As a child he often traveled with his father, transporting seafood to shuck houses on the Eastern Shore. As a teenager George spent as much of his time on the water as possible, hunting and fishing.
Throughout his school years, George's interest in painting grew and he received his first formal training in high school. He completed his first mural at a local marina at the age of 17. After high school he attended the University of Maryland and in 1980 received a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1981 George went to work at the U.S. Naval Air Test Center at Patuxent River, Maryland, as a graphic artist/illustrator. While working there he did numerous illustrations and murals, with his largest measuring 12' x 20'. In 1987 George left his job to pursue his art full time.
   Although George has worked in many mediums, he concentrates primarily on watercolor and pencil. Recognized mostly for his maritime subjects, he also enjoys painting scenes of the rural countryside where he grew up and still lives today. His work has been well received by the public and is in private collections all over the country.
   George has twice placed in the top twenty for the Maryland Duck Stamp Competition and has won awards including the President's Choice Award at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation Art Show, Best in Show at the Southern Maryland Wildlife Exhibition, and the Mystic Seaport Museum Purchase Award at the Mystic International. George is a member of the American Society of Marine Artists. We are proud to represent George McWilliams at the Annapolis Marine Art Gallery.