Artist Highlight: Willie Thomas (He/Him) @willkapedia
Will (he/him) expresses his creativity through various mediums such as acrylic, marker, and ceramic. His artwork draws inspiration not only from his personal experiences but also from the captivating realms of afrofuturism and fantasy. Will’s masterpieces aim to depict a life free from constraints and limitations.
Throughout history, African Americans have endured the oppressive restrictions imposed by white supremacy, leaving lasting scars on their community. Will’s art challenges our perception of individuals and their lifestyles, presenting a world where true liberation thrives. Simultaneously, it sheds light on the existing systems that hinder this liberation from becoming a reality in our society. Will’s art transports you to a realm where freedom reigns and barriers crumble.
“My artistic journey is deeply rooted in resourcefulness. I strive to utilize every last bit of material in my studio, ensuring that nothing goes to waste. Acrylics and oil pastels are my go-to mediums, not only because they are budget-friendly but also because I have honed my skills with them over time. The core of my work lies in conveying my emotions and personal experiences onto the canvas. Art serves as a powerful outlet for me, allowing me to navigate my feelings through the act of painting. Recently, I’ve begun incorporating beads into my creations, adding a three-dimensional aspect that enhances depth and realism. This shift allows me to explore complex concepts and intricate details in a way that traditional 2D art simply cannot.”
Last Day to see the exhibition is April 26th 11am - 4pm ‼️
Join Us for a closing reception as we also celebrate Community Archive Day! 🎞️
Stay tuned for more details!
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#museum #artist #localartist #artisthighlight #supportlocalartists #queerexhibition #compton #comptonart #archive #nonprofit #nonprofitorganization
Roots Run Deep. A collection of postcards created by yours truly! This initiative has been ongoing for a year and is very close to my heart as an LA native. While traveling around the US, I’ve always admired the beauty of postcards, yet I’ve never seen one that truly represents my hometown, apart from the generic LA postcard that doesn’t reflect the neighborhoods I grew up in. Therefore, this postcard series aims to showcase the beauty of these neighborhoods because we deserve it just like any other neighborhood or city. With treasured memories in these areas, I hope that anyone who grew up in these neighborhoods or city can feel the vibrancy and love that these postcards represent❤️✨
#losangeles #inglewood #hawthorne #watts #southcentral
“Jumper” (2026)
Oil Pastel on 38 x 24 on Canvas Cloth
In South Central and Compton, a bouncy house in the front yard is the ultimate sign that the whole block is invited to celebrate. It’s more than just a rental; it’s a centerpiece that turns a regular driveway into a playground where kids can just be kids. This painting captures that feeling of pure freedom and the nostalgia of neighborhood parties where the community comes together. It’s a tribute to that specific kind of local joy—creating a world of weightlessness and laughter right at home, where for a few hours, the only thing that matters is how high you can jump.
#painting #art #nostalgia #oilpastel #illustration
Mix media animation of @thegirljt “Girls Gone Wild” music video. 🪅
This process includes exploring the video as individual frames, printing each frame and editing each frame using marker and crayon, scanning them back in, and re-assembling into this animation.
Tag @thegirljt for me! ❤️🫶🏿
#animation #mixmedia #visualart #videoart #stopmotion
“Dear Young Black Girl From Watts” (2026)
Acrylic & Marker on 11 x 14 Canvas
A heartfelt message for my niece in her future ❤️✨
#painter #art #painting #artist #paint
During this past weekend, I had an incredible experience with @eycej and @artspacehp at the We Are Water/Somos Agua art exhibit🚿 Im so grateful for the opportunity to be featured alongside other talented local artists from the area. We came together to create a collaborative mural called “Stories in a Drop”🌊 for the community to share their stories. It was fantastic to connect and bridge generational and cultural divides through the power of art! 💧🎨❤️
#community #arteducation #artwork #storytelling #losangeles
Greetings, everyone! I’m excited to share the video I made showcasing our connected collage block from the Romare Bearden “The Block” Collage Art Project in collaboration with @lacommons at the @lapubliclibrary Octavia Lab. This project brings me so much joy as I get to reimagine Los Angeles through the lens of art 🖼️🌆❤️ #losangeles #collage #art #collageoftheday #community
I want to extend my deepest gratitude to everyone who showed up for Reuse-A-Palooza♻️ It fills me with joy to have created a community space and shared art supplies with you all. A special thanks to Ace @aceisaight and the South Bay Abolitionist Collective @southbay_abolition_mutualaid for assisting in providing fresh produce for our community. 🥬🧅
The inspiration behind Reuse-A-Palooza was to cut down on environmental waste, offer free art supplies, and encourage creativity through unconventional materials. I am deeply committed to promoting a sustainable, circular economy that empowers artists and creatives to try out new mediums without the stress of financial limitations. Thank you for helping to make this dream a reality. 🎨❤️
I’m looking forward to hosting another community art swap in the spring, so keep an eye out if you missed this one. Sending love to everyone and happy Black History Month ❤️💚🌿
#losangeles #communityart #artworkshop #community #communitysupport
“The Wiz” (2026)
Acrylic, Sequins, & Recycled Tile on 24 x 30 Canvas
This artwork takes its inspiration from the mural seen in the opening title sequence of The Wiz (1978), which was created by production designer Tony Walton. It embodies my interpretation of the vibrant and urban community scene that the black community holds close to my heart. I wanted to shine a light on the diversity within the black community, showcasing its various skin tones, fashion choices, and lifestyles. The incorporation of tile serves as a reflection of the black church and its stained glass windows that are essential spaces within the black community. Through this piece, I hope that other black people can find a sense of belonging within the larger black community.
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#bhfyp #artgallery #instaart #artwork #blackart
