William Thomas Chambers is a graduate of the American Academy of Art in Chicago and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northeastern Illinois University. He has studied under such distinguished artists as Cedric Egeli, Daniel Green, David Leffel, John Howard Sanden, Richard Schmid, and Burt Silverman.
His portraits reflect his background as an award-winning illustrator. His portfolio demonstrates his ability to capture the unique personalities of his subjects. In addition to his many personal portraits are his official portraits, including the official commissions of four-term Illinois Governor James R. Thompson and the recent commission of two-term Governor Jim Edgar. Both portraits hang in the State Capitol Rotunda in Springfield, Illinois. Among other notable dignitaries in his portfolio—former Northwestern University Presidents Robert Strotz and Arnold Weber; Martin Fienstein, the former director of the Washington Opera; Former Secretery of Defense Melvin Laird, as well as numerous CEO's and Fortune 500 corporate figures.
His popular celebrity portraits commissioned by the Bradford Exchange figure equally in prominence. Some of these works include scenes from the movie Annie and Sandy, My Fair Lady, Gone with the Wind, King and I, and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. In addition are the commemorative plates in honor of Mothers Day, and a triptych painting in celebration of the Christmas Nativity entitled The Night the Angels Sang. More recently thirteen portraits of Princess Diana of Wales were also commissioned by the Bradford Exchange.
MEMBERSHIPS
Portrait Society of America
Signature Member of Oil Painters of America
Board Member of Oil Painters of America
AWARDS
2013 President William Jefferson Clinton, 3rd Merit Award, Portrait Society of America, Members Only Competition, Commissioned Portraits.
2012 The Honorable Judge Duncan W. Keir, 1st Place, Portrait Society of America, Members Only Competition, Commissioned Portraits.
2008 Alyse, Honor Award, Portrait Society of America.
1999 Grand Prize Award - International Portrait Competition of the Portrait Society of America.
1999 Peoples Choice Award - International Portrait Competition of the Portrait Society of America.
1998 Best of Show Award - Midwest Regional Oil Painters of America Exhibition
1997 Finalist, Portrait Category - Artists Magazine 1997 Arts Competition.
1997 National Oil Painters of America Exhibition. OPA juried.
1995 Best of Show - Oil Painters of America Regional juried Exhibition, Chicago.
1987 Hall of Fame Award - National Association of Trade and Technical Schools — honored as a graduate of the American Academy of Art in Chicago and inducted into the first NATTS. Hall of Fame Washington D.C.
1985 Award of Excellence - Plate of the Year, Bradford Exchange/Knowles China Company, titled "A Puzzlement" from the motion picture "King and I".
1983 Certificate of Merit - New York Society of Illustrators 25th Annual Exhibition.
1983 Plate of the Year - "Annie and Sandy" limited edition produced by the Bradford Exchange and Knowles China Company. Based on the film "Annie".
1976 Award of Excellence - Society of Illustrators 18th Annual National Exhibition.
1976 Award of Excellence - "200 Years of American Illustration"published by Random House through the Society of Illustrators.
1975 Certificate of Excellence - Society of Illustrators 17th Annual National Exhibition.
1974 Award of Excellence - Illustration/Chicago.
1974 Award of Excellence - Illustration/Chicago.
1973 Certificate of Merit - Society of Illustrators Annual National Exhibition.
1972 Certificate of Merit - Society of Illustrators Annual National Exhibition.
1972 Certificate of Merit - Society of Illustrators Annual National Exhibition.
1971 Certificate of Merit - Society of Illustrators Annual National Exhibition.
1971 Certificate of Excellence Chicago 4 - Artist Guild of Chicago/Society of Communicating Arts/Graphic Arts Council
1969 Certificate of Excellence Chicago 3 - Artist Guild of Chicago/Chicago Society of Communicating Arts/Society of Typographical Arts.
1968 Award of Excellence - 22nd Annual Artist Guild of Chicago Exhibition of Editorial and Advertising Art.
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