DePaula The Artist
Artist's Statement
My art is an expedition.
I believe the world is a text full of hidden meanings, and my role as an artist is to be its navigator. Growing up in the Florida Keys, I first learned to read the subtle language of the ocean—the currents, the life, the stories held just beneath the surface. That same process of deep observation now guides every piece I create.
Whether I am charting the vibrant life of a coral reef, the forgotten paths of ancient myths, or the quiet history in a human face, my method is the same: to look past the familiar and map the unseen. The creatures in my work are more than wildlife; they are living symbols. The skulls are not objects of morbidity, but artifacts of a life's journey. The myths are not just stories, but the foundational maps of our own human spirit.
Each painting is a discovery, an artifact brought back from a voyage into these territories. My goal is not simply to create a beautiful image, but to offer a landmark—a tangible point of reference that invites you to begin your own exploration and find your own meaning in the world around you.
The Artist
An explorer's life is one of constant observation, driven by a curiosity to understand the world beneath the surface. For William DePaula, this has been the guiding principle of his life and art. His work is not about creating pictures; it is the result of a lifelong expedition to chart the meaning in the world around us.
William's journey began not in a formal gallery, but in the hallways of his high school, where he first began selling art to his classmates. This early entrepreneurial spirit was fueled by a deeper drive: a relentless, self-guided exploration into the world of art. He spent countless hours in museums and libraries, studying not just the Western canon, but the diverse artistic languages from cultures around the globe. His first forays into creating were three-dimensional, learning to carve wax and cast jewelry at a young age, an early sign of his desire to give tangible form to his ideas.
The path of an explorer is rarely a straight line. During college, a period of uncertainty led William to chart a new course, pursuing a career in jewelry. He followed this path to its conclusion, earning his Graduate Gemology degree from GIA. This detour proved to be an invaluable part of his training. It was an expedition into the heart of the earth itself, navigating the intricate, unseen worlds hidden within raw gemstones. This discipline trained his eye to look past a rough exterior and find the profound beauty within.
It was during this time that a chance encounter served as a true compass for his life. On the FIU campus, a brief, meaningful meeting with the Dalai Lama provided a moment of profound clarity. In that shared, silent glance, William realized his true north was not in the study of artifacts, but in their creation. He had to pursue his passion.
Today, William has spent thousands of hours honing his craft. His art begins with travels and a deep connection to nature, but from there it stretches into the realms of myth and lore, charting a mystical world that exists in fleeting glimpses all around us.
He realized that for many, the art world can feel like an uncharted territory, leaving them feeling isolated. William’s mission is to share his explorations with everyone, creating art that is not only visually stunning but also serves as a guide. His collections are designed to be landmarks of meaning, helping people navigate their own spaces and build rooms that tell a story. Each piece is an invitation, a map offered from one explorer to another.
