Meet Abe Willows

Today we’d like to introduce you to Abe Willows.

Hi Abe, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Thank you!  I am a multidisciplinary artist based in LA, but my story begins in a rural mountain town called Hungry Horse, MT. (pop. 500).  My parents were fundamentalist pastors and we grew up with minimal exposure to culture— my early focus was athletics, where I showed potential.  However, my older siblings were talented musicians and creative spirits and would eventually help introduce me to the world of artistic influences and possibilities.

After high school, I attended the University of Pennsylvania and played football for the Quakers. During this time, I began to explore photography & songwriting and other mediums of expression. Upon graduation in 2020, I took a few corporate gigs which I eventually left to pursue independence in LA.  As you know, this was the Covid-19 era, so I was swimming in uncertain waters alongside everyone else.  I never imagined I was about to begin an obsessive affair with visual art as I always felt incompetent when it came to drawing or painting; thus, I avoided it.

That all changed when I visited MOMA in New York City on a whim.

Surrounded by these beautiful works, I felt a novel spark of inspiration followed by a feeling of strange kinship and a desire to venture further into this world. I love this quote by Patti smith:

“I didn’t know if I had the stuff to be an artist, but I hungered to be one.”

The call was irresistible and I was determined to see where it would lead; I returned to Los Angeles in a whirlwind of transformative fire.  The dusty garage was made into my studio, and from there, my self-taught practice emerged.  Experimentation and joy are core tenets in my process– I revel in action, instinct, and the moment of discovery.  I enjoy the physicality of large-scale work and the fluid language of abstraction.  I’m only a few years along.

I believe in the power of art for both the creator and the viewer.  The art of creating and the art of experiencing are two of the most important things one can learn.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Nobody has an easy path.  I grapple with common issues: love, balance, uncertainty, connection, and security. While I could go off about the obstacles for self-funded artists in the current economic/cultural climate, (submission fees, social media, art as politics, etc.) these conditions are outside our control.  The world (and “art world”) is bonkers, and technology is changing EVERYTHING rapidly.  As the zeitgeist becomes more fragmented, we all struggle to justify our actions, to accept our relative insignificance, to reconcile with the shifting landscapes.  I’ve only made it this far with the love and support of my family and friends. Alone, I am lost, and there’s still so much to do.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
While my work is mixed-media, the core of my practice is best seen through my relationship with dye. In August of 2021, I realized I could use dyes in ways I had never thought of before. Relying on intuition, I’ve since invented and assembled a collection of unconventional tools and techniques to assist in creating a new world, one of my own.  It’s nowhere near complete.

During the incubation period of an idea, I’m a bit too conceptual. Truthfully, when the work begins, I am very process-oriented, and anything could happen. I work fast and try to stay attuned to the present moment.  I dislike the notion that an artist must identify a style and iterate it ad nauseam to achieve mastery or commercial success.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Just start. Whatever it is. Follow the voices that have been suppressed for practicality’s sake.  “Just do it” may be the battle cry of idiots, but it is still solid advice, especially when it comes to creativity.

Your first painting, song, poem, or project will likely not be great. Bravery will be required. Fear is not your friend.  Keep going! Remember to have fun!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.abewillows.studio/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abewillows/