William Galiczynski is a soft-spoken, unassuming contractor from the Riverwards with a light, quirky sense of humor and exceptional artistic talent.

  William Paul “W.P.” Galiczynski was raised near 4th Street and Girard Avenue, attended St. Michael’s and graduated from Northeast Catholic High School. He studied forestry at Penn State University. As a child, he spent much of his time painting and immersing himself in the world of art. He often took the trolley downtown to visit the Norman Rockwell Museum.

  “I was always infatuated with Norman Rockwell,” Galiczynski said.

  Galiczynski has worked as an independent contractor for almost 40 years. He owns Paul’s Cement Work at 2014 E. Stella St. Though cement (metaphorically) runs in his blood, Galiczynski is anxious to retire and pursue his true passion: painting.

  After graduating from high school, Galiczynski did not earnestly pursue painting for 35 years. He picked up his brushes again a year and a half ago and has since produced about 40 new pieces. He has yet to sell any of his work, but money is not Galiczynski’s end goal.

  “I want to wind up in the Met in New York or the Philadelphia Museum of Art,” he said. “That’s what I’m into. That’s my goal. And I think it’s going to work.”

  Galiczynski is currently working on a collection of pieces entitled Urban Series. Each is a slightly altered reproduction of a scene he’s encountered throughout his day-to-day life in Philadelphia. The pieces are reminiscent of the light, comical works of Galiczynski’s artistic idol, Rockwell.

  “I consider myself a newer version of Norman Rockwell,” Galiczynski said.

  Each Urban Series piece is 22 by 28 inches and reflects a particular aspect of our city. Galiczynski often incorporates family members, friends, products and other personally meaningful details into each of his paintings. In his latest, unfinished piece, Urban Happy Meal, he plans to superimpose the green door in his cement shop into the painting’s background.

  Galiczynski is one of seven children. His brother Steve and sister Susan are also artists. Their mother was a portrait painter as well. Galiczynski and his wife, Vicki, have four children of their own: Paul, Brian, Andrew and Samantha. Paul is also artistically inclined.

  Though Galiczynski is not in it for the money, he is confident that the public will want to buy his work. He plans to take his wife on a trip as soon as his first “big” painting sells. Galiczynski encourages aspiring artists to pursue their dreams if that is what they truly want to do.

  “Painters paint,” he said simply. “Always.”

  Galiczynski’s work was recently featured in the Manayunk Arts Festival. Visit his official website at wpgaliczynskiart.com. •