Hey There

All About Willy

    Will “Willy” Guthrie is a South Carolina native, born and raised in the town of Fort Mill. Inspired by his Native American background on his father’s side, his artistic ideas consider the intersection of this heritage with the majority-white environment in which he was raised. His current focus is on portraiture, as he is fascinated by the minute complexities of emotion and facial expression that can be conveyed through a painted portrait. The freedom to create something unique with no restrictions keeps him enthralled in the world of art and the act of creation. His daily commitment reflects his effort to cultivate and nurture his ever-fluid style as an artist, as well as his insatiable pursuit of knowledge and understanding of his preferred medium, acrylic paint. Growing up as an avid doodler, Willy developed this skill significantly and  became a caricature artist at the age of 14. At 21, he became artist assistant to Paul Rousso, a highly acclaimed international artist, eventually progressing to the position of Creative Director at Rousso studios. Under the invaluable mentorship of Rousso, Willy has been able to expand and refine his skillset immeasurably. Using acrylic paint on stretched canvas, he explores the vibrancy of those he photographs and paints. He usually prefers to use the likeness of those closest to him, whose facial intricacies and mannerisms he knows intimately. Delving into these works, he is able to appreciate the raw beauty of human beings. especially in an age of obsession with aesthetic perfection, an obsession that commonly skews the meaning of what beauty truly means.