William B. Adair, founder of Gold Leaf Studios in Washington, D.C., is a world-renowned authority on frame fabrication, conservation, gilding, and large-scale architectural gilding. For over 40 years, Mr. Adair and his team have crafted hand-carved reproduction frames of period styles as well as custom-designed modern frames. Clients of Gold Leaf include private collectors, museums, galleries, historic homes, universities, government agencies, and architectural and interior design firms.
Among these talents, Adair is also a practicing visual artist proficient in acrylic and watercolor paint. After receiving his BFA in Studio Art from the University of Maryland, Adair began his career in frame conservation at the Smithsonian Institution's National Portrait Gallery. In 1975, the Smithsonian awarded Adair a grant to travel to Europe to learn about tools and techniques from the few remaining master gilders working in the Renaissance tradition. In 1982, Adair founded Gold Leaf Studios, which is still thriving today. In 1991, the American Academy in Rome awarded Adair the Rome Prize in Design, allowing him to spend six months in Rome immersed in the study of frame design. His artworks reflect this lifetime of travel, study, and experience.
Reminiscent of the good ol’ days, when coffee shops were warm and inviting and still used reusable cups, “The Cup Series” by William B. Adair invites viewers into a fun, whimsical world where coffee cups reign supreme. Each piece focuses on a characterized cup, or multiple cups, in a variety of expressive moods and imaginative settings. During the artistic process, Adair experimented with thick layers of acrylic paint on a variety of canvas shapes to create unique, multi-dimensional works. The result is a richly textured series that is guaranteed to be an amusing sensorial experience for viewers from all walks of life. Beyond their playful appearances, the cups serve as stand-ins for the human experience. Through humor and subtle storytelling, Adair encourages viewers to recognize pieces of themselves in these everyday objects, in moments of joy and connection.
