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Wednesday, September 5, 2012

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

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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.

The Worst Sight, King © Kevin A. Williams/WAK

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.

Strong am I, © Kevin A. Williams/WAK

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.”

The Sound of Serenity, © Kevin A. Williams/WAK

Beautiful Breeze, © Kevin A. Williams/WAK

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."

The Washerwomen, in progress © K.A.Williams, 2012

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.

Artist Kevin A. Williams (WAK) in his studio © Cultured Artists™

“Art will give you back what you put into it. It will reward you over and over again.”

Kevin A. Williams (WAK), 2012

Check out some our conversation in his studio in this Youtube video:

Organic Beauty: An interview with artist Tia Richardson

:::Renaissance Woman::: 12:38 PM 1 comment Edit

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Portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in progress
Oil on Canvas 60” x 48”

An artist’s vision can manifest in a myriad of ways, and their creative journey is usually guided by that vision. The unique way that they choose to express themselves is often what captivates the viewing audience, and leaves them seeking understanding. Every artist is not able to translate their inner vision, but for Tia Richardson, her ability to execute her ideas came at a young age.

Goddess (Portrait of Marisa)

Colored Pencil on Bristol Vellum 11” x 14”

Richardson was born in Milwaukee, WI, and lived in surrounding cities in Wisconsin throughout her childhood. Her first memories of creating were with her father. She remembers at age nine sitting down to draw pictures out of a book with him. As a talented artist, her father encouraged her to draw portraits, and it was through his coaching and support that she was able to recognize her gift. She began creating consistently through elementary and junior high school, and in the summer she would take art classes. Art seemed like an inevitable path for Richardson, but by the time she reached high school, her interest in creating began to wane.

Portrait of Chuck Rhodes
Oil on Canvas 48” x 60”

Wedding Portrait

Oil on Canvas 22” x 28”

Richardson found her high school years to be very challenging, and though she created sporadically, she found herself dealing with more pressing teenage issues. Even as she grew out of her teenage years, she was still trying to find her place in the world, and with that came emotional imbalances. Richardson said that she never wanted to fit in, but she did want to be accepted for who she was, and she could not find that during those times. The emotional chaos that she was experiencing prevented her from creating, and she was only able to complete 1-2 finished pieces per year.

Woman of the Violet Waters

Oil on Canvas 48” x 60”

Chakra Tree

Oil on Canvas 12” x 24”

In her early twenties, and at the encouragement of her parents, she began to sell prints of the pieces that she had completed years before. She sold them at festivals around the Milwaukee area. Richardson says that at that point in her life, she did not have a strong personal motivation, despite having a vision and support. She had studied at the school of the arts in Milwaukee, and was accepted into MIAD (Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design). Eventually she would transfer to the University of Milwaukee-Stout, and finally to MATC (Milwaukee Area Technical College) where she would receive a degree in graphic design. For Richardson, school and formality did not intrigue her, because she always felt that her purpose was even greater. Upon graduation in 2003, she started her company Cosmic Butterfly Design, which focuses on commissioned art and design.

Isis of the Spheres
Oil on Canvas 24” x 12”

As a highly spiritual person, Richardson always felt guided, as if there was a higher spirit directing her path. After coming through a nearly ten year hiatus of not creating art regularly, she began to feed her soul again through creativity.

Isis of Heaven and Earth

Oil on Canvas 24” x 48"

Her goal when creating is to evoke a sense of beauty, not just aesthetically beautiful pieces, but pieces that, “move the soul,” and comes from a place that is beyond her, a place, that she says, "we can all connect to.” She achieves that goal by using specific colors in her pieces that induce a mood. The delicate way that she handles colors makes her paintings seem otherworldly, and conjures up feelings of tranquility. Richardson says that listening to music that moves her connects her more to her art, and helps to influence her color choices and the disposition of the paintings.

Her current medium of choice is water-mixable oils with an acrylic base. She says her love for the medium developed over the last several years, and finding better quality water-mixable oil paints helped her appreciate the medium even more. Although she enjoys oil, she is skilled in a variety of mediums including colored pencil, pastel, and acrylic.

Tree of Life (mural)
Acrylic on masonite 6' x 16'

Richardson’s most recent ventures keep her away from the easel more often, but they affect the community in a positive way. She is currently creating collaborative murals with high school and middle school children in the community. With her guidance and assistance, students have been able to complete nearly 30 murals in the last three years throughout the city of Milwaukee. Currently she works with Milwaukee Public Theatre and Arts at Large to bring her murals to life. She is making an indelible impact on the lives of students in the community.

Reality Check Coalition Neighborhood Empowerment Mural. Location: Magic Foods Liquor Store, Milwaukee, WI. Collaborative Mural with high-schoolers from North Division Boys and Girls Clubs CLC.
Acrylic on Medium Density Overlay Board (MDO) 12'x8'

Presently she has no upcoming exhibitions, but she continues to create when she has the urge to do so. She’s been an explorative artist for the last several years, and has been using that time to discover new ideas and concepts. Richardson says that she is inspired to create a cohesive body of work that speaks to her interests, but she wants it to happen organically. She hopes to create works that help to transform people, and she sees her art becoming a therapeutic vessel for healing. In the meantime, she nurtures her skills by doing commissions and by working with the children on murals.

Artist Tia Richardson working on the “Tree of Life” collaborative mural in Milwaukee, WI
Acrylic on masonite 6' x 16'

She leaves positive words of enlightenment:

“Relationships are critical, seek out mentors, and find people who are where you want to be.”

“Stay true to what it is you are feeling…to who you are authentically, and surround yourself that those who support you.”

Tia Richardson 2012

If you would like to learn more about this artist please visit facebook.com/cosmicbutterflydesign. You can also reach her via email tiachianti@gmail.com.

All images are © copyrighted by the artist unless otherwise noted. Images cannot be reproduced without permission of the artist.

The Divine Visionary: An Interview with photographer Laura Shafer

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Organic, minimalist and ethereal are just some of the words that may come to mind when viewing the works of photographer Laura Shafer. Many of her pieces are otherworldly, and clearly reflect a greater connection to a higher power.

Born in Philadelphia, Shafer was introduced to the fine arts at a young age. Her grandmother and mother supported the arts and placed her in art and music classes early on. By age ten she received her first camera and her first piano. Through the years Shafer remained creatively inclined—she sketched and painted when she could, and found a good deal of inspiration from her brothers who were jazz musicians. Art had always been a significant part of her life, but it could not be her sole focus because she had more pressing responsibilities.

Shafer, the mother of seven children, found herself busy raising them while working a full time job as a medical assistant. She had moved from Philadelphia, and was living in Georgia. In 2008 while working with the Air Force as a Pharmacy Technician, Shafer moved to San Diego. The beauty of the city—its mountains and beaches—inspired her to pick up her cellphone camera and begin shooting images around her neighborhood. She found immeasurable joy in photography, and was thoroughly inspired by her surroundings, so in 2009 she purchased her first camera—a Canon, and began shooting on a more consistent basis.

A self-taught photographer, Shafer is what one might call an intuitive artist. She creates from an emotional and spiritual place, and feels that her gift and passion for photography developed at an immensely important time in her life. Photography became her release and with it, she says, “God made her feel brand new.”

Shafer’s photography is inimitable, not only because of her shooting style, but also because of the focus of much of her subjects. From time to time she picks up a paintbrush because she enjoys the art of creating abstracts, however her abstracts are often created just to be photographed. Texture and detail intrigue her the most, and her focus on the minutiae has allowed her to shoot imagery of fascinating things that others often overlook.

Seemingly mundane items like clothing tags, hair, blades of grass, and grains of sand are the focus of some of her pieces, but it is her perceptiveness and the way that she captures these elements that is even more fascinating. For years Shafer has worn corrective lenses so that she can function in everyday life, however when she photographs, she doesn’t need the lenses. She believes that with photography she has developed a “new eye,” and enhanced sense of sight. Her new vision through photography has allowed her to capture imagery that inspires others to see beyond what they comprehend.

Her recent series entitled, “Souls,” feature candid imagery of everyday people standing near the water’s edge. She says that while photographing the people, she began to see them in a different manner—as if they were standing with their own souls. From that inspiration she created double imagery that mimics the connection between the person and their spirit. Shafer says that she feels led to her photography, and says of each shoot, “If I had not been here to see this, I would not have gotten that shot...” For her, every life experience is a fascinating one, and she believes that photography is an important guardian of history and memory. “It’s like looking back on life and everywhere we've stepped.”

This powerful spiritual connection that she feels when she creates is evident in her work and her vision. Many of her images are very sentimental, and will never be shared with the public for that reason. The passion that she has developed for the art is evident in the time that she takes to edit each image, and to present the image to the viewer. As with any artist, Shafer wants to present her best work—pieces that resonate with the viewer while still telling the story of who she is as an artist.

She is inspired by a variety of artists and photographers including, but not limited to, Marc Baptiste, Rosalind McGary, and Mimi Yoon. She says that she will continue to photograph regardless of circumstance. Although the market can be challenging, she is gaining ground and recognition for her magnificent gift.

Laura Shafer is an inspired creative. Her imagery is organic and distinct, and comes from an authentic place. I encourage you to support her work, and purchase her amazing photography. She is currently represented by Monarch Art and Frame, and is a featured brand on Slim Enterprises. Please follow the links below to view more of her work and to purchase.