Tim Williams
Tryin' To Do Right But Wrongs So Easy, 2019
mixed media on wood
48 x 48 inches
$ 9,000.00
C-lective Curator’s Cut:
Tim’s Tryin' To Do Right But Wrongs So Easy is a vibrant celebration of pop art, graffiti culture, and street art, paying homage to his alter ego, THE OPTIMIST—a nickname given jokingly by friends for his mix of cynicism and adventurous spirit. Inspired by comic books and the San Francisco graffiti scene, the work captures the playful rebellion, bold color, and unconventional forms that define his world, while also reflecting his travels and his practice of recording people, places, and community. Rooted in connection, the piece embodies the “homies” energy of his inner circle, offering both a visual thrill and a reminder to embrace life’s spontaneous, wild moments. For Tim, a naturally shy person, art is the bridge to others, making this a work that is as engaging to live with as it is to admire.
Tim Williams, aka OPTIMIST
We Love Tim. Tim, known in the art world as OPTIMIST, is an Oakland-based, mixed-media artist whose vibrant, pop-inspired work celebrates movement, identity, and the rhythms of city life. Merging graffiti aesthetics with the narrative flair of comic books, his art is rebellious, playful, and deeply rooted in human experience.
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Bachelor’s in Conceptual Information Arts, San Francisco State University
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Worldwide practice spanning 15 years, creating mixed-media, layered works informed by graffiti, comic books, and daily life
Extensive travel, especially to Taipei and other cities, directly inspires his Travelin’ Man series
Featured in his successful solo exhibition “Travelin’ Man” at RVCA Gallery, San Francisco
Presented at Context Art Fair, Miami (2023)
"I always saw my art as a way to connect with people—on walls, in sketchbooks, wherever I happened to be."
Tim’s Travelin’ Man series is a dynamic chronicle of cities and experiences, capturing the energy of place through motion, memory, and bold mark making. Influenced by street art, zine culture, and pop art, his work is both spontaneous and deliberate, layered with color, texture, and storytelling. From Oakland to Osaka, each piece reflects not just the spirit of a location, but also Tim’s evolving relationship with the world around him.
C-lective is proud to present the Travelin’ Man series, along with a broader selection of Tim’s works that continue to celebrate movement, identity, and connection.