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What's Your Background?

Born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, I spent my childhood years in the Chesapeake area exploring the outdoors, playing sports, and doodling my way through school. In 2011, after graduating from high school, I headed south to East Carolina University—where I would meet Michael Ehlbeck—and begin to study the art of printmaking.

I went on to graduate with a BFA in printmaking in 2015. The years immediately following undergrad were spent traveling, spending time working in Chicago and Alaska, and taking trips through Cuba and Guatemala. In August of 2017 I settled in Dekalb, Illinois, and in 2020 I would go on to receive my MFA in printmaking under Michael Barnes. I am currently residing in Chicago while building my career as an artist.

What Media Do You Prefer and How Did You Come to Use it as Your Primary One?

Printmaking is my preferred medium to work in. I primarily work with copper etching and other various intaglio printmaking processes.

I was introduced to this process while in undergrad at ECU. I have always been drawn to its versatility and rich history, and have found that it lends itself really well conceptually to the work I am currently making.

When Did You First Become Interested in Art?

Since I was a child I have always been doodling in the margins of my homework and scrap paper. My parents always encouraged it and pushed me to express myself however I saw fit.

My father is a welder, and, while I was in early middle school, he taught my brother and I how to use a cutting torch. We began making little metal sculptures for friends and family.

Then, in high-school, I would host parties where my friends would come make their own hoodies and shirts with puffy paint. I had bought a heat transfer press to make custom clothing as well.

Art has always been something that has piqued my interest, but it wasn’t until I went off to college that I really considered it to be a career path.

What Does Your Work Aim to Say?

Through the corrosive printmaking process of etching I aim to critique man’s corrosive behavior and the effects of said behavior on our surrounding communities. I pull from histories both personal and shared to create often-humorous imagery that draws-in and confronts my audience in hopes of creating an environment that fosters growth through self-reflection and accountability.

How Does Your Work Comment on Current Social or Political Issues?

My work tends to be very satirical; our current socio-political climate is overflowing with content to pull from and poke fun at. I aim, with humor, to challenge our sometimes-contradictory behavior, in hopes that we can hold each other accountable and build more harmonious and compassionate communities.

Who are Your Biggest Influences?

Artistically, my biggest influences are other satirists from various generations: including William Hogarth and Warrington Colescott. I also draw from others such as Red Grooms, Charles White, Lynd Ward, Elizabeth Catlett, Jenny Schmidt, Katheryn Polk, and Aaron Coleman just to name a few.

I find my influences come from far and wide, and these listed are just a few of the artists that fuel me to create and push myself.

How Have You Developed Your Career?

Since graduating from grad school , the pandemic has put a lot of career-development opportunities on hold. I decided to take May 2020- May 2021 as an opportunity to focus on staying safe and healthy—and getting outside—to gain some perspective and inspiration in Alaska.

Since returning from that hiatus, I’ve been working for a small silk-screen business in Chicago creating fine art prints for various artists and learning the ins and outs of running a business built on art.

While doing this, I’ve also stayed vigilant about developing my own work; which in my eyes is the most important aspect of a successful art career.

How Do You Seek Out Opportunities?

The internet is more than a deep rabbit hole you can get lost in while looking at frogs; it’s also a great tool for finding new opportunities. There are websites that are exclusively dedicated to whatever sort of opportunities you are looking for: whether it be juried exhibitions, artists residencies, study-abroad opportunities, assistantships, etc. Networking at both conferences and gallery receptions is another great way to find new opportunities and expand your circle of friends and acquaintances with similar interests.

How Do You Navigate the Art World?

I think the best way to navigate any world—the arts included—is to just be yourself, be open to trying new things, and take on new challenges and opportunities. As long as you are willing to work hard and continue to grow, (while setting your own boundaries so you don’t get burnt out or tired of said world), then I think you have a good chance of being successful and achieving whatever you set out to do. Having a good group of supportive friends doesn’t hurt either!

Which Current Art World Trends are You Following?

The printmaking community is a pretty tight-knit group, so I stay pretty up-to-date on the work coming from my fellow printmakers. In addition to prints, I am fascinated by all types of ceramic work: both functional and sculptural. Another trend that borders on being an art in my opinion is tiny/sustainable home building; it’s a subject I’m very interested in and hope to be a more active member of in the near future.

How Do You Speak to the Ways Art is Important to Society?

Art is synonymous with creativity, and it’s going to take creative solutions to solve the problems we’ve created for ourselves. It’s important to continue to cultivate creativity—and new ways to express that creativity—in order to grow and improve our society.

Links that feature Will's art.