The R(EVOLUTION)ARY | An Interview with artist Kevin A. Williams (W.A.K.) ~ CULTURED ARTISTS

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Artist Kevin A. Williams (W.A.K) in his studio

The execution of the perceptions of the mind is often the most challenging part of being an artist. Many artists limit themselves to what is easily understood, and easily created, but some face the challenges and venture out unto unknown paths. Artists such as these tend to make a marked impact on the lives of the viewers of their works, and carve a definitive niche for their own legacy. Kevin A. Williams (W.A.K) is that artist—one that is always evolving and cultivating his craft—while inspiring others to do the same.

When I walked into his studio there was a massively beautiful seascape on his easel. He was still working on the piece, but had stopped to finish up a conversation with a colleague. Although I was completely enamored with the painting, I overheard a few of his last words, “Baptism by fire!” he evoked, “Baptism by fire!” As I looked around his studio I thought that Baptism by Fire was indeed a definitive way to describe the artistic journey of a man that seemingly started out very conventionally.

Williams was born into a loving family on the south side of Chicago. Although the urban landscape crafted some sketchy inhabitants, Williams’ home life was his oasis. He was inclined to draw at an early age, and would often find himself drawing from comic books with friends on his porch. As pre-teens, they would replicate the images and compare them amongst each other. When he was not with his friends he was with his sisters and aunts. Williams says being surrounded by his sisters and the ladies in his family prompted him to begin drawing pictures out of fashion magazines because that was all he had to choose from. At an early age he began to develop a taste for fashion and design.

By the time he began high school at Chicago Vocational, he was taking architectural drafting classes. Although he enjoyed creating art, and designing, Williams said that he never believed that he could have a true career in art. Architecture seemed to be the only respectable way to put his talents to work. One day, while distracted by doodling in class, his instructor warned him that his behavior could lead to failure. The instructor tried to encourage him to pay more attention, so he suggested that he could earn extra credit by drawing him a picture of his dog. Williams gladly accepted the job, and after completing the portrait, his instructor showed the drawing to the art teacher who taught in the commercial art department across the hall. The art teacher immediately recognized Williams’ gift and tried to inspire him to pursue a career in commercial art instead of architecture.

A piece in progress in W.A.K's studio

In W.A.K's Studio

Williams recalls the experience, “ I blew it off…I told him I wanted to go to DeVry!” The persistent instructor, artist Robert Johnson, called Williams parents and was able to set up a meeting. Williams father, a mathematician, was uninterested in hearing about a career in the arts until the teacher told him that Williams could receive scholarships for his talent. Open to the idea of scholarships, his parents encouraged him to create more. He won many contests and awards, and soon the universities began to pay attention.

With scholarship offers coming in from all over the United States, including The Art Students League of New York, and Parsons, Williams became overwhelmed. Instead of joy, he felt hesitance about moving away from his parents and going to New York City. He also felt that he lacked the discipline to travel so far away from home at such a young age. He eventually chose to study at the Art Institute of Chicago because it was closer to home. Although the Art Institute was in his hometown, he was taken aback by the students, and the eclectic environment of the school caused Williams to experience what he calls, “a culture shock.” He left after one semester and ended up at Columbia College studying as he says, “everything except art.” Eventually (to his father’s dismay), he made a decision drop out of school. He felt that much of what he needed to learn creatively could not be taught in school and wanted to venture out on his own. With his entrepreneurial spirit leading the way, his focus for many years was on proving to his father that he could survive despite the challenges he encountered.

Versace, 2012 © Kevin A. Williams/WAK

Williams had always had great business acumen—he had learned much of it from his father—so when he began soliciting customers for drawings and advertisements at the age of 15, he had his father’s full support. He became more aggressive with his business venture after leaving college, and began to approach hair salons about producing their signage. Along with the hand painted signage; Williams included a drawing on each sign. Soon he was asked to draw images of the hairstyles, and the salons soon became his new clientele. He began to see his vision and taste for fashion manifesting in his life.

Foxy, © Kevin A. Williams/WAK

As a young artist trying to find himself, Williams faced the idea of failure and disappointment head on. It was during his most challenging times that he developed his well known moniker W.A.K. W.A.K developed from a sense of failure and defeat in his early journey as an artist because he was ashamed of his work, and didn’t want to use his real name. Soon it would come to mean wisdom and knowledge, and would become symbol of his achievement in the art world.

"The Catch," on the Easel, © Kevin A. Williams/WAK

The Catch, © Kevin A. Williams/WAK

At age 19, he began working with Soft Sheen as an illustrator for their hair care product line. He worked with their ad agency Brainstorm, and it was there that he learned how to master the skill of drawing hair. Not long after working there, a fallout with an influential stylist and mentor left Williams, “blackballed,” and unable to work with anyone in the hair and fashion industry. Undeterred by the setback Williams decided to create his own path.

The Worst Sight...Generations Lost © Kevin A. Williams/WAK

He was still dealing with major financial and creative struggles in 1995 when he sat down with a friend for lunch. He says that he remembers splitting the bill to save money. It was in that moment that he made the decision that he was going to put the word struggle and any thoughts of it behind him, and focus solely on his future. That year he painted, Taking her Back (which was inspired by a Calvin Klein ad), as homage to black women. Along with his business partner who was a gallery owner, Williams’ work began to sell at art expos, and in the gallery. He took his piece to an exhibition in New York called Circle of Sisters, and it was there that his painting, Taking her Back, and the prints he made from it, became popular. Another bestseller was his piece, Mother Earth. That exhibition in New York opened the door for what would be a fulfilling and fruitful career. He finally felt that he had made a true connection with the people, and he was encouraged to create more works that would inspire. Over the years he has created works that focus on the spirituality, sexuality, and the strength of black people. He believes that as multi-dimensional people, there needs to be imagery that represents that.

The Right, in progress © Kevin A. Williams/WAK

The Right, © Kevin A. Williams/WAK

Williams says that there have been many times that he felt like quitting. He jokes, “ Every time I felt like quitting, I thought to myself, what if I blow up next week?” With jokes aside he shared that he felt the need to say something important with his art, and despite his fears, he knew that he had to carry on. He still deals with insecurity, but he now embraces it. He believes that it allows him to never get comfortable, and he continuously challenges himself to be better.

Kevin A. Williams at work in his studio © Cultured Artists™ 2012

Many of his older works were created using ink, and airbrushing techniques, along with acrylic paint. As a part of his new creative journey, he has transitioned from commercial art to fine art. Fine art was something that he had always been interested in, however when his pieces became popular commercially, it was difficult to go back to it. He says of the transition, “I had heard that it was impossible to move from commercial art into fine art…they told me I couldn’t do it…that was just the fuel I needed to make it happen.”

The Fishermen, © Kevin A. Williams/WAK

“Baptism by fire,” are the words he uses to describe stepping into the unknown. Jumping into the proverbial fire, and risking the burn, is sometimes the only way that an artist can find their true selves. Many artists are unwilling to take to risks, and some refuse to sacrifice for the love of their art. At a young age, Williams made a decision to do something that others told him couldn’t and shouldn’t be done, and he continues to push the boundaries today. His current body of work is an evolution from the name and business that he has built for the last 20 years. Although he doesn't plan to retire WAK, his new K.A.Williams line marks a new beginning for the artist.

He began to create what he deemed to be “timeless” pieces, using a new and different medium, oil. He describes the K.A.Williams line as a novel written from the perspective of the people of African diaspora. With imagery from the civil rights era, back to the moments before Africans were enslaved, his paintings capture a new view. These recent pieces in his new line feature imagery that shows, “the posture of a people before they were broken, and interrupted from their daily work by intruders.” Williams says that he is inspired to create images that show black people as proud, protective and superior beings as opposed to the common and incorrect imagery that show weakness, oppression and submission.

As an ever-evolving artist, Williams’ focus is on personal growth, and the empowerment of his people through his art. He has seen his art change over the years, and feels that his newest work more clearly defines the direction that he is headed in. The connection that he feels to his art developed from the successes and failures that he has faced throughout the years, and he is still amazed by his gift, and his own evolution.“Each painting to me, clarifies the distortion between me and my true self…I feel more liberated every time I paint because I am not submitting to what people are telling me to do…I’m doing what I want to do.”

He leaves poignant words for emerging artists:

"Be yourself, find your voice, your content, a living record of what you had to say when you were here. Don’t say something that someone has already said, the same way that it has already been said."

Kevin A. Williams (W.A.K) is not just an internationally recognized artist, he is also my friend and mentor. Over the years he has taught me a lot about precision and mastering my skill, but more than anything I am most inspired by his value system—his will and drive to succeed against all odds, and his focus on constant growth. You can find many of his pieces and images at www.wak-art.com, but to see his newest fine art work, please visit www.kawilliamsfineart.com.