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| Holden and Don Willard |
By
Mary-Therese Duffy
If you
haven’t had a chance to visit the Raymond Village Library recently, you may
want to check out the latest art display that is running currently and will
continue to do so until the end of August. One reason why this exhibition is
special is that the father and son artists duo, Don and Holden Willard, are
showing their work together for the first time. Another distinct factor is
that, although Holden has made a name for himself as an artist, many in the
community may be surprised to discover that his talent may have been handed
down from his father.
Don is
best known as the Raymond Town Manager, having dedicated much of his time to
that position in service of the residents. Most, however, have no idea that
this is also a man of great talent and creativity. Having been around farming and mechanical
equipment his entire life, he idolized his dairy farmer grandfather who
survived the Great Depression, and like most of his contemporaries, had a
natural “make do” ethic and attitude that included the repair and reuse of
anything that they could.
He
explained that the farm had stockpiles of metal parts and other potentially
useful materials and objects at the ready, to facilitate such repairs and often
for fabrications of useful tools and objects.
Don’s grandfather encouraged him
to explore his interest in mechanical objects. “I had the opportunity to delve
into the range of sharp and dangerous objects that children are mostly advised
to avoid,” recalled Don. “My first experience was straightening old barn nails
with a hammer on an anvil, followed later by chasing new threads on antique
square headed bolts and nuts with an ancient tap and die set. I processed
buckets full of both for reuse, which I found oddly satisfying.”
Don became interested in ‘found objects, assemblage sculpture’ which
intensified after obtaining his first welding machine and associated tools. Now
known as “Steam Punk”, this is a genre of art and
fashion that draws upon elements and objects from the dawn of the industrial
revolution, assembled in a sort of science fiction imagined future. “Such
things appear quite anachronistic when compared to our modern plastic derived throwaway
society consumer objects,” noted Don. “It was for me just a natural extension
of the materials and things that I like to work with.”
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| "Steam Punk" art by Don Willard |
Never
actually thinking of himself as an artist until invited to show in the Maine
Coast Artists Exhibit in Rockport at the director’s suggestion, Don recalled;
“I did that, and I remember the gallery opening for the show. There were many
wealthy folks there all dressed up and milling about, admiring a turtle that I
had made from an inverted mechanical cow watering bowl and some old trolley
line hardware. I imagined that my grandfather would have gotten a real kick out
of that scene.”
When asked
what the most challenging and most inspiring aspects of his craft were, Don stated
that one of the greatest challenges is finding the era/period correct objects
necessary at a reasonable cost to make interesting, authentic feeling
sculptures. “At one time, every farmer had piles of the junk that I like,” Don
said. “Today such junk, like the farmers and tinkerers that coveted these
materials are pretty scarce. As for fulfillment, I mostly do it for my own
enjoyment as it reminds me of my childhood and provides me with a deep
appreciation for what it took to survive before our postmodern consumer
culture. Our ancestors made many things for everyday use as a regular part of
life. Having such skills today is still not a bad idea in my view.”
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| Holden's art work |
As for
his son, Holden, he has been making quite a name for himself with his “Best in
Show” award from “The Works”, a worldwide competition sponsored by the Cultural
Center of Cape Cod. Having submitted two pieces, it was his painting, “Red
Portrait” that garnered the First place winning this past February. A 2017 graduate
of Windham High School, Holden is a committed fine artist whose natural talent
is fully resonant and alive with in his work.
Holden
stated that he began his interest in art as a young child playing with small
coloring books and empty pads of paper. “I didn't become serious until my
senior year, however,” Holden said. “With the support of high school mentors,
Jeffery Bell and Joe McLaughlin: both inspired a motivation within myself which
I had never received from anyone before.” Holden continued by stating that he
is inspired by the people he meets, and the people he holds close within his
creative community. “Everyone I paint, I paint for specific reasons, but
mainly I am interested in displaying people who inspire me in one way, shape or
form.”
He has
always seen himself as a creative person. “I don't think I could live my
life happily and to its fullest if art was not a major part of it,” Holden
reflected. “I had been told for so long that being an artist was impossible,
but after growing and maturing I've realized that a life lived unhappy and full
of regret is no life at all. I will do what I love, no matter what.
But I will leave conceptual artist John Baldessari to explain this
drive: ‘My advice? Don't go into art for fame or fortune. Do it because
you cannot not do it."’
The
hardest part of creating, Holden said, is creating itself. “The act of creating
is a strenuous and laborious process. On my larger works, I can spend anywhere
from up to three weeks to multiple months... fussing and pushing until all the
parts begin to feel whole. It's easier to do this when you're interested
in your subject matter, and thus your work ethic will improve... it's just a
matter of sticking to it. I love to see the reactions of my models, I will have
them come in for multiple sessions on occasion, and I am always touched by the
beautiful responses and positive reinforcement I receive. I am always filled
with creative resolve when a fellow artist within my community reaches out to
critique some of my work and give constructive feedback. Creating
connections between the artist and the model and within the community of
artists that surround me... are why I create.”
To meet
and talk with the both Don and Holden, there will be an open house on Monday,
August 5 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Raymond Village Library, 3 Meadow Road
and his co-hosted by The Raymond Arts Alliance. For more information about this
exhibit, call 207-712-6200
Clark dabbled in poetry in college where there were classes devoted to looking at the meaning, 
Clark’s poetry reflects what he sees in New England, much like that of Robert Frost or Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, he said. “To write is to feel freedom, a freedom to use words as images and images as expressions of comfort and joy, as well as concern or unease,” Clark said in his 2020 display notes. “The ‘story’ of many poems furnishes a friendly New England gesture to relax and read with a serene sense of enjoyment. Those on display welcome patrons to recall something similar
