“When I discover who I am, I’ll be free.” ~ Ralph Ellison

was born in Chicago and raised in the South Suburbs of Markham. I started drawing after 7th grade and took art classes every year in high school. I attended my first figure drawing class at Illinois State University following my high school junior year and became enamored with drawing and observing people. My high school art teacher, Marcia Skinner, encouraged me to continue with my art. I attended The School of the Art Institute of Chicago from 1979-81 and studied under Figurative Expressionist painter Emilio Cruz.

soldier_w_M16_Siloette I stopped doing artwork after 1981 and enlisted in the Army in 1985 as an infantryman. It was at this point in my life that I decided to spend 20 years in the army to retirement then become a teacher for 20 years to a second retirement. My last life goal would be committed to doing my artwork.

In 1998, I rediscovered my artistic talents when asked to do a portrait of the outgoing commander. The army reassigned me the following year to Indianapolis where I was able to take classes at the Herron School of Art (IUPUI) from 1999-2001. I was reassigned to Fort Benning, GA in 2002. In 2004, I graduated from Troy State University with a Master of Education in Instructional Technology, retired from the army, and became a special education teacher. I graduated in 2006 from Columbus State University with a Master of Education in Special Education – Emotional/Behavioral Disorders. I passed the Georgia’s art education certification in 2007 and graduated with an Education Specialist degree in Art Education from Georgia State University in 2010.

I became an art teacher in 2012 at Clements Middle School. After relocating to Cobb County, I taught art at Osborne High School 2014-18, Garrett Middle School 2018-19, and finally Wheeler High School 2019-2024.

~ Bill Rembert