For artist Will Watson, who got his start in Indianapolis, last weekend’s BUTTER 2 Fine Art Fair was a full-circle moment. Though currently based in New York and working from a studio in Baltimore, Will made the trek back to his hometown to display his art during Labor Day Weekend. He’s been creating art his entire life and featured in galleries across the US, including some in Chicago, New York, and Washington, DC. Learn more about Will’s work in his Q+A with PATTERN below.
To keep up with Will, visit his website or give him a follow on Instagram.
KF: Is this your first time at BUTTER?
Will: This is my second time. Last year, it was almost like a test run. I didn’t know what to expect from last year, so [I] only submitted one piece. I was really grateful when they asked me to come back again this year. It feels like rolling out the red carpet!
KF: How does it feel to see BUTTER happen in your hometown?
Will: This is cool. I have been gone for almost 10 years now. When I left Indianapolis, it was difficult to insert myself into any type of art scene that was happening here. It was like you had to create it yourself with the people who rock with you. I’m fortunate enough that those people are some of the same people who are now the founders and creators of BUTTER. It feels really amazing to have that opportunity to leave Indianapolis and have a whole wealth of experience, gain knowledge from that experience, and then show off those things back home with my family and friends who don’t get the chance to see what I’m doing on the East Coast. They can get a chance to see everything up close.
KF: As an artist, what sparks your creativity?
Will: Waking up sparks my creativity. Knowing that this is a choice, this is a lifestyle that I’ve decided on from childhood, and how crazy and cool it is to see things happen from that. Things that spark my creativity [are] getting energy from family, seeing my friends, music, and intense passion for art. When I don’t feel creative and I feel stuck, the best avenue out of that is to go look at art.
KF: What themes do you see surfacing through your art?
Will: Family for sure. A theme that is really important to me is memory, Black joy. I’m interested in celebrating nuanced, happy moments. Values, definitely. A lot of art historical references, like shoutouts to different artists in a way. Having a conversation with those artists within the work.
KF: How do you see artists supporting one another through BUTTER?
Will: This feels like a family. It’s always fun. Coming back again, I saw a lot of artist friends from when I was first getting into it here. [I met] some really young, talented up-and-coming artists last year and inadvertently stepped into like a mentorship role, things that I sought out from other artists here in the city. Some younger artists are reaching out to me. I’m glad to see that connection is starting to happen because it’ll encourage other artists to take risks, step outside of the city, come back, give back and do more.
KF: Why do you create art?
Will: This is what I was born to do. [It’s] not the only thing I was born to do, but I create because it’s in me. It’s a part of my makeup. It’s a part of who I am, who I’ve always been, and who I will continue to become. It’s fun. It’s therapeutic. it’s wild. It’s really a blessing to have something that is so therapeutic and so unique that you can now make a little bit of money from. Any artist who says that’s not the goal is a liar. But the reality of it happening is always slim, and the fact that it’s happened a little bit is only confirmation that it’ll continue to happen. I’m just really grateful for that.
