We had the good fortune of connecting with Bill Rembert Sr and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Bill, what makes you happy? Why?
Helping people makes me the most happiness. I have always been considered a caretaker or giver throughout my careers as a soldier and teacher. I think this was breed from my upbringing. I am the oldest son (of four boys, born in order) and have two older half sisters (their father passed away before my second sister was born). Our early childhood was rough until my mom divorced my real father and married our step-father Maxie Patillo. He was a very kind soul and marrying my mom with six kids was amazing. He immediately became “Daddy.” Daddy’s favorite saying was, “Happiness” and I attribute my mindset of helping others to his life example of helping us.

Man in military uniform with camouflage pattern, standing in front of a blue background and American flag, looking at the camera.

Man with short gray hair and beard smiling, holding an ID badge, in a room with chairs and a clock.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
It was not easy getting to where I am today and I’m still in the process of becoming an artist. My goal was to do 20 years in the army and retire then doing twenty years in teaching and retire. I accomplished both and retired in 2024. Not only am I committed to dong artwork now and have taken many art courses, I also started my PhD program this month, The main lesson that I learned was to never quit.

This is my artist statement:

I have always been extremely observant, so my artwork represents my observations of life. Some may view it as confrontational, but that doesn’t represent what I’m trying to express. I appreciate everyone (how we evolve and are constructed) and have a great respect for the potential that we all have regardless of lifestyle, religion, ethnicity, or gender. Therefore, my art expresses what I see in us. This is my narrative or my “soldier story” because my artwork always tells a story.

I presently do a lot of portraitures and use oil pastels, oil paints, gouache, acrylic, charcoal, printmaking (linocuts & intaglio), and collaging in my artmaking. I like to mix mediums.

As an avid reader, I continually study history and current events and how the two have a symbiotic relationship. Additionally, I write poetry and wrote my first poem for my father after I was notified that he had passed away on February 23, 2003. I consider my poetry as an extension of my art.

My Inspirations & Influences:

Spiritual = Jesus
Artistic = Emilio Cruz, Alice Neel, Kathe Kollwitz, & Robert Henri
Poetic = Maya Angelou
Intellectual = Malcolm X, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., John Dewey, & Colin Powell

Portrait of a smiling person wearing sunglasses with patriotic designs, showing teeth, in a painting style.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m not much for seeing the sites of the city, but I do enjoy going to the High Museum of Art. I also love the Booth Museum in Cartersville. I live in Mableton and have enjoyed going to Marietta Square – they have a lot of areas to eat and to drink in the square.

Person with long hair and beard wearing a blue jacket, holding an object, with colorful background.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My first shoutout is to my children and family. I’m blessed to have you all in my life. I’m very proud of them all.
My second shoutout is to all of my former students. It was an honor to have served you as your teacher for twenty years.
My third shoutout is to all of my friends. I appreciate all of my dear friends who have helped me in my life.
My last shoutout is to all of my former soldiers. It was an honor to have served with so many great soldiers in my twenty years.

Website: https://wbrembert.info/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wbrembert/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wbrembert/

Twitter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wbrembert/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wbrembert

City street scene with people walking, buildings in the background, and a woman in a green dress in the foreground.

Collection of twelve painted portraits of diverse individuals, arranged in three rows, with various backgrounds and expressions.

Portrait of a woman with long brown hair, wearing a white top, looking to the side against a speckled background.

A woman sitting outdoors with four children, holding a baby, surrounded by trees and grass, in a colorful painting.

Portrait of a woman with short dark hair wearing a white nurse's cap, painted with a blue background.

Black and white portrait of a young man with short hair, serious expression, and wearing a shirt, painted in a loose style.

Image Credits
No image credits is applicable

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