Beth Vendryes Williams grew up on Long Island’s North Shore, New York, in a busy household with six younger siblings. Art became her quiet space. When the noise of a full house grew too much, she found herself diving into books, wandering through the woods, or picking up a pencil or brush. Drawing and painting became part of her routine.
As the years went by, Beth’s work evolved. She began asking herself why she felt compelled to create. For her, making marks on a surface was a form of contemplation, a way to find her own voice amid the chaos. She describes her work as seeking beauty, peace, light, and compassion in the ordinary. She believes objects are invitations to discover where light and hope reside.
Beth has explored mixed media, watercolor, pastels, and oil. Each medium offers its own language, and she’s drawn to the process of discovering what that language can reveal. Her work balances between the thought-provoking and the calming, offering a quiet sort of clarity. The journey itself is as important to her as the finished piece.
Her art education is rooted in both formal training and personal discovery. After earning her degree in art education from Nazareth College, she studied under Ben Frank Moss, who had a Masters in Drawing and Printmaking from the University of Iowa. She spent twenty years attending evening and weekend classes at the New York Studio School, embracing the role of a lifelong learner.
Beth has also apprenticed with accomplished printmakers. She worked with Dan Welden, beginning with litho stone lithographs before moving on to solarplate printing. She also spent time as an intern with Douglas Howell, a respected papermaker. Beth recently discovered that one of her handmade paper books now resides in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Thomas J. Watson Library Collection.
Teaching became another creative outlet for Beth. Starting in 1989, she developed her own curriculum, combining art history with her own teaching philosophy. She encouraged her elementary students to think creatively, building habits of thoughtful exploration. Journals became a daily practice for her—filled with both words and images, they became a resource for her own artistic growth.
After 21 years of teaching, Beth chose to focus entirely on her art. Her dedication to her craft has brought her work to various collections, including Nazareth College and Stonybrook School, University of Iowa.
Beth’s work feels both introspective and generous. She doesn’t approach art with a rigid plan. Instead, she lets it unfold, trusting the process to reveal something worth finding. Whether working with paint, paper, or printmaking techniques, she keeps her focus on discovery and contemplation.
Her commitment to learning and exploration remains a constant thread. As Beth continues her journey, the curiosity that fueled her art as a child still guides her. Whether through creating new works or revisiting old techniques, her goal is simple—finding moments of peace, beauty, and meaning in the act of making.
