Within the world of contemporary abstract art, Will Day’s large-scale paintings stand out with a strong presence, each piece a vivid attestation to his journey of transformation and self-expression. With energetic brushstrokes and deep emotional layers, Day creates compositions that feel as if they are pulsing with life. His works carry the weight of a personal narrative, one that moves through moments of intense joy and internal conflict. This is a world where his creative process isn’t merely about applying paint to canvas; it’s about a dialogue with the material, a reflection of life’s unpredictable rhythms.
Entering Day’s Boulder studio, you are immediately greeted by the words “Walk in love. Live in grace,” emblazoned with bright colors on a paint-stained worktable. These words not only welcome visitors but set the tone for understanding the artist’s approach to life and work. His art, much like his mantra, is an exploration of the intersection of spirituality, love, and vulnerability. For Day, art is a way of living and engaging with the world. “I love just being in my space early in the morning and painting,” Day says. “I try to get to a place of calmness and stillness so I can really channel creativity and create a wonderful story.”
The call to create led Day to leave his corporate job behind after the financial crisis of 2008, taking a leap of faith into the world of art full-time. It was in that moment of uncertainty that Day found his calling. His paintings reflect that sense of rebirth, capturing the raw energy of those transformative years. Each layer of paint is more than just a physical mark; it’s a response to a world in flux, a world in which Day learned to embrace change rather than shy away from it.
A graduate of Pratt Institute with a background in architecture, Day views painting as akin to constructing a building, layering materials carefully to create a strong foundation. But it’s not just about the structure; it’s about allowing the energy of the moment to flow freely, creating spontaneous movement on the canvas.
Day’s background influences a sense of fluidity in architecture, but it’s music that truly drives his brushstrokes. Each painting is a response to the rhythm of the sounds surrounding him. “Music is really important to the abstract expressionist…if you go back to the turn of the century, Wassily Kandinsky, who's one of my favorite abstract artists…he was able to listen to a piece of music and then paint something that's very organic,” says Day. His studio playlist can range from Mozart to Beethoven to Led Zeppelin.
Central to Day’s journey, both artistic and personal, is the influence of his mother; a portrait of her dressed in canary yellow overlooks his workspace. A nurturing presence in his life, she imparted values that still resonate deeply with him today—values of perseverance, kindness, and the importance of connecting with others. “We'd walk the Museum of Modern Art or the Guggenheim on my birthday, and I'd stand in front of a Picasso or a Monet or Jackson Pollock,” recalls Day. “I’d just feel like something feels right. It's just all this chaos, which is around me, but feels very grounding, like ‘I want to do that.’” His mother’s unwavering support provided the foundation for Day’s creative journey, and her lessons in resilience continue to echo in his work. “She's passing down creativity like other mothers are passing recipes on. She passed a recipe on in life of how to be true to yourself, let go of fear, and be creative.”
Day’s work is often organized into series, with each set of paintings capturing a different facet of the human experience. One such series, Renewal, represents a collaborative exploration of fresh starts and rebirth. It’s a theme that resonates deeply with his own story. He admits that this process of reinvention isn’t always smooth, but it is always cathartic. A painting, he believes, doesn’t have to be perfect; it only needs to be an honest reflection of the creator's inner world at that moment.
Day’s Boulder studio, a place of refuge and creativity, has been his sanctuary for nearly a decade. In this space, surrounded by layers of color and texture, Day continues to explore and push the boundaries of his work. Each painting is an act of letting go, of trusting in the process, and of sharing his deepest self with the world. Day has words to live by: “Learn how to give back. Be empathetic. Learn how to share your creativity. Be open to change. Take fear out of the equation, let go of the ego, and learn how to live in the light.” As he looks to the future, Day remains dedicated to the pursuit of artistic freedom and expression—fueled by the same love and grace that greet you upon entering his studio.
Will Day's latest exhibit, Relentless, is on display at the St Julien in Boulder through June.
Learn more at WillDayArt.com.