The kaleidoscope that is Newport is reflected in the dynamic watercolors of William Heydt. His bold palette and painterly technique create a prismatic effect of form and color. Alternating patterns of people and places converge and diverge, forming vibrant images of a city and those who make it so vital. More than portraits of significant people, these pictures capture an essence of Newport that tourists don’t see. He juxtaposes a legendary Newporter – Billy Rose-with a legendary place- the Redwood Library. Whether his subjects are at the back of the counter or behind the desk, Heydt has made their daily lives part of Newport’s life.

William Heydt loves the energy of Newport. After the galleries of New York City, the ateliers of Paris, the ambiance of Jamestown, the artist, and his family made a home in Newport. Originally from New York, Heydt first discovered the island while attending RISD, where he earned a BFA and later an MFA in painting and printmaking. He furthered his study of printmaking in Paris under the renowned Stanley William Hayter at Atelier 17. He later went on to work as a faculty member at the Massachusetts College of Art. During his time in NYC in the '80s, Heydt's primary focus was photography- a passion that followed him on his travels through Europe, the Far East, Asia, the Caribbean, and South America. Heydt's transition into watercolor was marked by his move to Newport, a place he has now called home for several decades. This book is a retrospective of these years painting the local commity.