Philarthropy Feature: William Tran | Graphic Designer & Fine Artist

William Tran | Graphic Designer & Fine Artist

I started off with a #2 pencil at around 1st grade. Typical margin sketches on homework and assignment papers, but I think that the paper Book Covers we had to use on our school books every year is what really progressed my drawing from a hobby to a passion. Learning to wrap them blank-side out gave me the urge to cover every inch of white space with “something.” After drawing with pencils and pens until 6th Grade, highlighters introduced color to my work and it freshened my imagination. My high school art teacher then introduced me to the Art Institutes, where I earned my Degree in Graphic Design. My family also has been a driving force behind my encouragement. My mother has been my “#1 Fan” from the moment she found a small folded piece of paper in my dirty laundry with a museum of 5 or 6 dinosaur skeletons drawn on it. My sister, also an artist, would paint all the time while babysitting my baby brother and I for the summers. So naturally she is the one who motivated me to start painting and I have been captivated since. Now I use my creative process in design for companies and have just recently regained my schedule to re-emerse myself in painting.

1. What kind of art weapons do you use to CREATE?

I will use anything that leaves an impression on a surface to CREATE – pens, pencils, chalks, glues, paints, materials, etc! I haven’t gotten around to trying EVERYTHING just yet, but in time I want to be able to say “yes, I used that once…” If I had to pick a single medium to be favored, though, it would have to be acrylics. I enjoy them most because they have a vibrant spectrum of color choices along with the ability to blend smoothly and dry incredibly fast, which gives a challenge to perfect the projection from “mind to canvas” within the first couple tries.

2. When was the moment you fell in love with ART?

There wasn’t a specific moment when I had the realization that “I Love Arting”, I have been Arting since I can remember, so my art has grown to be a huge part of who I am rather than me growing into the love of Art. I have lost and gained taste, but my NECESSITY for art in my life will never leave.

3. What is your purpose to CREATE?

This is a tough question…I don’t feel that creating something should have a pre-determined purpose when it’s personal expression. Art will create purpose for itself, in its viewer. Personally, creating is what I use for relief from the negative and a boost for the positive, my Art is my purpose…my medication. If any one person appreciates or even depreciates my work, that is more than enough purpose to continue.

4. Is there a particular message you want to communicate through your artwork?

Honestly, there is no initial message when I start a piece, but a subject. As I work on the subject and it evolves, the “message” changes and evolves with it. That is the beauty about Art though, there doesn’t even have to be a message in the artist’s perception. The viewer will decipher their own message and expand their thoughts.

5. What is your meaning behind the word, “philARThropy?”

For me, philARThropy is a “Welcome,” an invite for all who hold ART in their lives (any and all forms) to come together and show those without Art in their day-to-day that it can be more motivational and empowering than most would think.

6. How do you plan on using your creativity & imagination to give back to your community & make a difference?

I enjoy peoples’ first interactions with paintings, then that lingering attraction that they hold because it spoke to them. So any time anyone looks at my Art and they really like a piece, I usually just give it to them. I think Original Art hanging in homes is a must and can only happen when artists “share” their work. You’ve got to let it go for it to gain value for others!

7. What would be your contribution to the art community?

I think my contributions are that of anyone else’s. I give my art and my opinion up for others’ art and opinions. Not everyone has the “gift,” but I do think that everyone has the capacity to appreciate it.

8. What advice would you give to a young artist who is trying to find their spot in the art world?

I would tell him/her to not look for a “spot.” Create what holds your passion and imagination at it’s peak, because [your] taste, likes and dislikes will change as you change as an artist! There are too many people in the world to have them all like your work, but there are enough that there will be those that love it!

9. If you had the chance to collaborate with another artist, what would be the #1 thing on your art bucket list of creative projects you’d like to complete?

I love collaborations, period. I have this victorian-looking coffee table in my living room, I want to paint it solid white, then “go to town” on it with small, detailed drawings all over it. Small enough to make people want to look more closely.

10. What kind of art legacy do you want to leave with the world?

I am not really looking to leave a “Legacy.” I just aim to share what I can and help those that will accept it. In giving away some of my art, I have already somewhat instilled a small portion of myself into eternity…well, unless someone burns them, obviously!