TEXARKANA MAGAZINE
mind then that those creative outlets sparked an interest in what would eventually become his career. Thanks to family roots, and a desire to be near his grandparents, Will went to Mississippi State for his undergraduate degree. At first, he planned to major in business and figure out a way to implement his love for design down the road. He knew he enjoyed experimenting with Photoshop, but his full passion for art was still lurking under the surface. During business school orientation, he discovered the number of math classes required for the degree, which made him panic. Almost instinctually, he walked into the art building just to “check it out.” When he stepped into the building, he immediately knew that was where he wanted to be. There was paint on the floor, posters everywhere, and a unique energy in the air that suddenly jumped out and grabbed him. When he realized you could not minor in graphic design, he took the plunge and went all in. During this time, Will’s interest in music also began to collide with his love for design. He started creating merchandise and album art for a band from Texarkana called Pilotdrift and The Polyphonic Spree. He was inspired to do more from there. Wanting to connect things he loved, Will began reaching out to different bands through Myspace to see if he could create art for them, and the connections spiraled out from there. One day, while hanging out in the art offices, talking and making new friends, Kate Bingaman-Burt walked in. Will was immediately stopped by her presence. Eventually, Kate and her husband took Will under their wing, and Kate became Will’s mentor. He interned for the couple, and during that time, he realized visual art was a real way to make a living. Will says he will always credit Kate for fanning that flame in his heart for an art career. After he completed his undergraduate work, Will and Sally moved to Austin to try to make it in the popular, growing city. Back then, he had positioned himself as an illustrator, but there was not really a place for him in that market with a full-time job. He interviewed at a few advertising agencies, but it was not the right fit. Sally, who is extremely smart and immediately established a strong career, supported and encouraged Will while he freelanced and explored his passions. After initially spending three years in Austin, the couple made an enormous leap and moved to Portland, Oregon, where Will could teach while earning a Master of Fine Arts in Contemporary Art Practice from Portland State University. It was in Portland where Will’s outstanding style further evolved. Digging into what he loved as a kid, Will let his personality shine. His inspiration came from unlikely places like the 90s show Pee-wee’s Playhouse . Loud clashing patterns as a backdrop to over- the-top puppets, bright colors, and some basic elements of fun and exuberance always spoke to Will. As he refined his style, things that were popular during his high school days continued to motivate his work. Charlotte Hornets Starter Jackets, with colliding purple and teal, bowling alley floors with unmistakable patterns… these were all things that were rooted in nostalgia and could transport people to a different time and place, and they were all becoming part of his signature look and feel. Unexpectedly, phrases and language-based art emerged in his work as well. These phrases carried a lot of meaning and exposed
St. Elmo Hop Water
Endo Customs
Goby Toothbrushes
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COMMUNITY & CULTURE
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