SOULDEGA: When was the first time you picked up a paintbrush, and what inspired you to paint?
WILL: I was four when I started painting inside watercolor activity books. I was inspired to paint because black and white bored me. (Still does)
SOULDEGA: The imagery in your art work explores difficult societal issues, what are some of the most memorable responses to your work you received?
WILL: Hm, the most memorable response to my work has to be its feature on a Ted×Talk that my cousin conducted in Tuscaloosa. She intertwined her thesis with the intent of the work I create.
SOULDEGA: You recently starred in Souldega sister @thevirginartiste body art film “Flamingo”, how was that experience and how did you get into the role of Mateo?
WILL: Creating Flamingo was freeing. It allowed me to trust direction that wasnt my own. I had to really get out of my own head and allow the idea of Mateo to grow from a whisper to something that could be heard.
SOULDEGA: What does your art mean to you?
WILL: My art is proof that I can live to be hundreds of years, or more. .
SOULDEGA: When was the last time you felt proud of yourself?
WILL: I felt really proud of myself this morning. I received another electronic signature on a licensing Agreement that I created for my artwork.
SOULDEGA: Where do you see yourself 20 years from now? .
WILL: iigh boom..so in 20 years I'll be 50. & by then 50 will be the new 21, so I'll be at somebody's brunch with my wife. I'll be wearing gold shades and all white. A few buttons open on my shirt to show my elderly greys. My pants will only have slight paint splatter on them bc my wife wants me to keep some of my pants clean for social outings.