I am a native Detroiter and a 50 year Highland resident in the Oak Heights Community on Upper Pettibone Lake. Donna and I have lived in Highland fifty plus years. We have two daughters and four grandchildren in the region.
Following the completion of my B.A. degree at Wayne State and also a year at Detroit College of Law, I worked 24 years for the State of Michigan as a youth services caseworker in Delinquency and Foster care. My avocation during that time was oil painting landscapes. Since my retirement from the State of Michigan I have focused my attention on painting the historical landmarks of Detroit, Chicago, Mackinac Island and the Great Lakes region . I also did substitute teaching for Pontiac and Waterford schools over a 18-year period. For 26 years I also was a certified transporter of youth for Oakland County Department of Human Services. Also it has been my privilege to provide youth art programs in Detroit including All Saints Center and Grandale Neighborhood Salvation Army.
A sustainable environment should be our focus for the futures of our children and grandchildren and the world they will inherit. With this in mind we should work to protect the precious irreplaceable environment.
On a personal note, I was raised in a home with many uncertainties yet at an early age I was aware that I was blessed to be living at a time in America with many possibilities. My work as a caseworker allowed me to engage people with hard core needs.
Much of my personal time is in the study of history, religion, and philosophy. I also try to stay current with the findings of science as it changes over the years. While not church affiliated, I see my life challenges with a spiritual perspective. I strive to live by the golden rule, the call of service, and a belief in transformation. My spirituality helps motivate and direct me and my spiritual perspective guides me as a husband, father, grandfather and friend.
Seeking balance and living in balance is a perspective I try to uphold. Charitable commitments include World Vision, Unicef, Amnesty International, Sierra Club, Lighthouse SOS, Meals on Wheels, and environmental causes. Past volunteering include Big Brothers, Salvation Army, and Youth Mentoring. I have served as the Democrat Precinct Delegate for district 4 in Highland.
Personal activities that I continue to enjoy are biking, hiking (mainly Highland Recreation Park), downhill and cross-country skiing, wind surfing, swimming, travel, golf, and many various family activities. My current business interest connects me to many art associations and affiliations across the state and beyond. I am a committee member at Huron Valley Council of Art Shop. Other associations include Detroit Artist Market, Detroit Historical Museum, Art House and others. My art work is represented by Lilacs Gallery on Mackinac Island, Frameworks in Plymouth, Northgoods of Petoskey, Mackinac State Parks, and the Grand Hotel. Representations of my art are also electronically available through my web site (JimWilliamsArtist.com), Etsy, Ebay, and icanvas.
