Q & A: Newport Artist and Landlord William Heydt

By: Elisabeth Steinhardt
Posted In: News

“William Heydt moves through his subject matter, ‘comme un passion dans l’eau.’ Literally translated, “like a fish in water,” the French use this term to describe a person perfectly suited to his elements.”

William Heydt was born in 1949 and grew up in Westchester, NY. Heydt came to Rhode Island to attend the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). This is when he started exploring and enjoying Newport and everything it has to offer. E

Each year, during the summer, Heydt traveled to southern France, just outside of Uzes, where he learned the art of printmaking with a local artist. After graduation, Heydt moved to Paris where he studied under artist, Stanley William Hayter for a couple of years.

After taking time to explore Europe, Heydt returned to the Ocean State to work his way towards a Master of Fine Arts Degree again at RISD. Here, he worked as a graduate assistant.

After graduation, Heydt joined the faculty at Massachusetts College of Art and taught there until 1983. Craving a change of scenery, Heydt moved to New York City, where he focused on his passion of painting and photography. Vibrant urban life and the bustling city environment provided him with a new subject matter he had yet to capture.

After 12 years, Heydt moved back to Rhode Island and settled in Newport with is wife, Rosemary and his three children, Sam, Eric and Bernadette. Heydt is now focusing on painting “Newportant” people and is focusing on being a landlord and property owner in Newport.

Q: You attended college at RISD?

A: Yes. It didn’t prepare me for the real world, though. They don’t tell you what to do once you get there [life after college].

Q: What is your inspiration behind your photography?

A: I’ve always caught people in the moment. Ordinary people in ordinary moments. To take something ordinary…very inspirational.

Q: What is your inspiration behind your paintings?

A: People in their place of work. I try to get as many people as possible from all different places.

Q: When do you find time to paint?

A: At night is the only time I have to paint. During the day I am running around doing things for the apartments. The rental income allows me to sit here and paint.

Q: What rental properties do you own in Newport?

A: Just, 92 Pelham Street, the Church on Corne Street and the Firehouse on Young Street.

Q: Do you own other properties elsewhere?

A: No, just those three. It’s time consuming enough.

Q: Back to your artwork, how long does it take you to complete each painting?

A: I don’t rush through it. I do a little everyday. It takes me several weeks to complete a painting. You know when you’re done. You have a feeling when your painting is complete.

Q: How do you capture the people in each painting so well?

A: I take photographs of the subjects first, and then work from that.

Q: Which of your paintings is your favorite?

A: I can’t choose! They’re all my little children!

Q: To create an inviting atmosphere for you to paint, do you listen to music, or do you work in silence?

A: I paint to music. I listen to Mozart and Handel.

Q: Do you only listen to classical music?

A: No. I listen to people like Ani DiFranco too.

Q: Was anyone in your family an artist?

A: My grandfather.

Q: Do you always have your camera on hand?

A: When I go on a shoot, I bring my camera.

Q: Do you have any paintings or photographs on display in Newport?

A: Yes, some at Island Arts and the Jailhouse Hotel. I also did an exhibit at Josie’s on Broadway.

Q: The people you have painted, have they approached you to paint them, or do you ask them?

A: Both. Annabelle Harris from Annabelle’s boutique on Thames Street asked me to paint her with her models, but ideas pop-up all the time.

Q: Are your paintings for sale and have people ever bought your paintings?

A: Yes, but I don’t paint to sell them. People buy my paintings because they like the image, not because they think they will go up in value.

Q: Did you ever regret selling one of your paintings?

A: Yes. I did a painting of my daughter with her Beanie Baby collection. I sold it and wanted it back so badly I found the people who bought it from me and bought it back.

Q: Were they upset that you sold it to them and were now asking for it back?

A: They held out on a definite answer, probably to see how high I was willing to go to get the painting back.

Q: Didn’t you live, paint and take photographs in Paris for a few years?

A: Yes. I lived in Paris for seven years after college.

Q: Do you have any paintings of the Eiffel Tower?

A: Surprisingly no! I do have one of the Musee D’orsay.