The Year of the Artist

Featuring Artist Jeff Willis in ABAG Studio Archive Series

Art in all forms emerges, transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary.

The late nights and hands have rested; the work is taking shape. A slight smile recalls the vision not yet shared, which is now tangible. In an expectation of revealing, the focus is to remain guarded against the unknown, and yet an artist, born from relentless dedication, emerges. 

Pulling and stretching into contour lines, the dancer glides across the floor, pivoting at a moment's notice to the silent count embedded in the music. Music, arranged on a scale interpreted as life experiences, possesses a profound emotional power that can stir the deepest parts of our souls, creating a blend of sounds that can transport us through time. 

Do-Re-Mi…take it to the highest pitch and belt out tiiiiiiiiii in sheer passion. The body becomes an instrument, belting out melodies in a pitch that can squeeze the heart of anyone in tune with life, igniting a fire of inspiration. 

Living and breathing masterfully between the pages of worlds imagined and told through the quiet observations of the storyteller. Holding a mirror up to the perplexed and complicated systems we often become used to but still hope for something different in between their words.

This is the year of the artist, who will take center stage and use their talent to promote the joys of life. The real world can be rigid, predictable, and sometimes cold. It takes the artist to see the beauty in the mundane, understand the complexities, and yet emerge, bringing a new perspective to the world.

by Dara Harper