William Stephens Shields, Jr., 1925 - 2010 "Eye on the Pie II" 1994 Oil on canvas 48"x36" artist framed Signed lower right William Stephens Shields, Jr. (1925-2010) was a versatile artist known for his exceptional illustration work and later for his exploration of large abstract oil paintings. Born in San Francisco in 1925, Shields moved to Texas during his youth and later settled in New York in the late 1940s. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he pursued an illustration major at the Chicago Academy of Fine Art. His illustrations quickly gained recognition and were sought after by prestigious clients such as Bantam Books, Time Life, and MacMillan Publishing Co. Shields received numerous accolades, including gold medals from the Societies of Illustrators in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and the Houston Artists Guild. Inspired by trips to Mexico and France, Shields transitioned to the world of fine art. He dedicated himself to sculpting, creating assemblages, and exploring painting, including nudes, landscapes, and eventually large abstract oil paintings. His artwork has been showcased in galleries in San Francisco, Connecticut, and New York. Throughout his career, Shields also shared his knowledge and passion for art as a professor of art at institutions such as the California College of Arts and Crafts, the Academy of Art College in San Francisco, the San Francisco Art Institute, and San Jose State University. Shields' remarkable artistic accomplishments were featured in renowned publications like American Artist, Communication Arts, Print, and Architectural Digest. His illustrations graced the pages of notable magazines, including Sports Illustrated, McCalls, and Ladies Home Journal, while his client list spanned industries such as oil companies, industrial corporations, governmental institutions, and airlines. Shields' artistic philosophy aimed to combine skillful draftsmanship, abstraction, distortion, and a distinct use of color to achieve a unique style and personal expression. His strengths lay in his ability to convey both serious and humorous subject matter. With a career spanning multiple fields within the art world, William Stephens Shields, Jr. left an indelible mark with his distinctive artwork, gaining recognition as both an accomplished illustrator and an abstract painter.