Today we’d like to introduce you to Willie J.
Willie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Have I heard my calling?
I had felt so underwhelmed when I became an adult. One of my failures was that I did not stay true to my dreams and pursue them.
I have always leaned more towards being an introverted person and probably often too serious. I was committed to conducting myself as a brand in my teens, and so it mattered that I took things responsibly for the reputation of the brand. I felt that I was capable of doing great things if I were to put my mind to it. However, I wasn’t feeling fulfilled and I was desperately trying for many years to have some valuable purpose. While I have been improving to be more in control to try to better my life and my family, I was still falling back into despair.
I was often skeptical of seeking counseling because it never felt very productive and edifying to pull my soul out of the sunken place. However, things turned out different a few years ago. Seeking psychological advice once again to figure out whether I may be bipolar, I was encouraged to look deep into my soul and think of a time I felt at my greatest. Memories that immediately sprung to mind were how I really enjoyed what felt like endless possibilities of creativeness (and especially the improving digital technology) at the time, and my desire to build my own projects with a Nintendo SNES game called Mario Paint!
To me, Mario Paint cannot be understated. It was originally purchased for my sister while I was lucky to a get Street Fighter II: The World Warrior. We both played games but I was far more of a diehard gamer. Surprisingly to me, I ended up on coming back to Mario Paint again and again creating projects for about a decade. I am reminded of how much both of those titles would influence me still to this day!
This reawakened the highly disregarded side of me that I was neglected in a time where I probably could have taken advantage quickly evolving technologies. Today it is so simple to get access to high performance devices and digital art tools, and it is as exciting as ever to be back into being a creator. Another huge incentive with more accessibility is that it’s also simpler to post things on to the public with various platforms. I have the motivation to be one of the many professional digital artists who bring joy and excitement to the culture and fans while working to reach the potential I could still have.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It was not hard to access the equipment I needed with some knowledge and research. Fortunately, there is a great culture of artists online who do wonderful work in providing tutorials and offering great advice too, which got me up to speed fast.
My first obstacle was recognizing my struggle and going all in. My biggest challenge is time. Trying to be an artist/creator/storyteller & business owner are full-time jobs, in addition to my regular 9-5; which leads to the cause of my other struggles to keep balance, focus, commitment, and motivation.
Several times I think I have burned myself out. I get anxious and hope I have not wasted more time and money failing at things It helps when I don’t make time to work on a project that I will find time to learn something that I know will be useful.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I was initially an illustrative artist, but I have studied and desire to grow more into a digital painter and produce more expressive works of various arts. In addition, my goals are to create short animated stories, motion and digital comics/webtoons, and more for the brand.
I am the owner and artist of Crude Arts LLC. I design digital art pieces of 2D and 3D styles. The projects I have ready are posted on my social media accounts for people to view, and my website offers various kinds of gear that people can get with the images.
Like many others, my art is inspired by pop culture media, such as comics, anime, and video games I hope to provide a gift to people who enjoy my take on the same blends of art that is fascinating to me, as I have great respect and admiration for the creations, skills, and talents that art can bring overall.
I want to try and focus more on diversity in my work. I do like to design characters, creatures, and all, but I hope I do a better job to try and help with the representation of various people with real-life differences. My goal is to show support and help stop underrepresented groups of people feel left out. I’m not sure whether I will be great at it yet, but I hope it always invokes messages of pride and visibility as much as it can.
I am not a big creator nor well known for my work… yet. I am trying to get there. I have received a few positive comments views on various pieces, and some of my close family and friends stay very supportive. I am proud of building something and I’m hopeful that I deliver what my audience and community deserves and expects from me.
I thank everyone who has supported me and inspired me to be me! Be well and make the world better.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Unfortunately, I had to learn again to appreciate people and things that are around us as much as possible because time is precious and never guaranteed. I am sensitive to my feelings of things that may happen at some point, but I haven’t been as overwhelmed as this since probably 9-11! Unlike that event, this one hits a bit closer to home because we cannot physically fight back and protect those around us against a virtually invisible and highly contagious threat that could turn fatal to boot.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.crudearts.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/crude.arts
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/crudearts
- Twitter: twitter.com/crudearts25
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UC6sZfUIiIMZ8RIeW7pdKU_g
Image Credits
Crude Arts LLC
