mo e. willis | painter | interview + photos with the artist
my west coast photo tour has been the bomb. of course, I have about a million humans and moments I’d love to share with you! so many talented people doing beautiful things in the world.
we’ll start it off with mo e. willis, a painter and artist based out of southern california.
when did you first begin to paint?
I’ve always had a wild and vivid imagination and as a child, I picked up any creative utensil I could find. Until later in my life I only mustered random doodles. Four years ago, my closest friend lended me her brushes and paints and told me to just try it. I did, and I was perplexed and mesmerized by the fluid movement of the process. A waterfall fled through me and plunged me into life. I was hooked. As my relationship with my painting developed, so did my approach to my work ethic. In the last year I’ve begun to take my work more seriously and continue to dedicate myself to my craft. “
A waterfall fled through me and plunged me into life. In the last year, I’ve begun to take my work seriously.
when is your favorite time to paint?
When I first started painting, I always painted at night, fueled by the moon and her starry sky. The quietness, her soft underbelly, when people are asleep and I’d traverse the nocturnal realm. I now begin painting in the morning and continue all day, shifting to better productivity and more sleep
But during a full moon, new moon or celestial pivot, I creep back into my night owl self and immerse myself in the energy.
what’s your favorite type of music (if any) to listen to while creating art?
Music is a massive part of my life and my creativity. I honestly believe I wouldn’t be here without it and I don’t believe I would be painting without it. My favorite music is what keeps a boundless, mystical flow to my work. Favorites are Ben Howard, Florence + the Machine, Jose Gonzalez, Emancipator, Hozier, Tash Sultana, Rage Against the Machine… to world folk, West African, Portuguese, Spanish, French, acoustic electronic, LoFi …to J. Cole, ASAP Rocky, Tupac, Isaiah Rashad, Jorja Smith, Erykah Badu and many other old school, hip hop, rap and R & B….to blues, rock, grunge. Gotta keep it fresh ya dig.
what projects are you up to now?
I’m working on a series called Empire of the Moon, tapping into the feminine, yin side of duality. There is so much to explore in that, it’s the dream realm, soft, vulnerable, creation, nourishing, and submerging- nurturing the unparalleled strength and power that comes from that. These states of darkness, transcendence, ascension, resonance, consciousness. That these processes are not linear and are full of cataclysmic turns and flowers blooming in the midst of it all. Next, Ive been thinking that doing a small series that will be of men! And called the Kingdom of the Sun, exploring the feminine, yet powerful side of men.
where can we keep up with your work and journey?
I keep up to date on my Instagram @milkwulf, but I have my website as well moewillis.com
mahalo for peeping the blog. for the continuous support and love. I appreicate you!
I’m touring the west coast all of summer 2019 so holla at me if ya interested in a session.
