February Cover Artist: Will Eskridge
Saturday Feb. 1st, 2025
Originally from Kings Mountain, North Carolina, Will Eskridge attended the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, School of Visual Arts/Savannah, and earned his B.F.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts from San Francisco Art Institute in 1999. The son of a veterinarian and an artist, Will’s affinity for animals and art began when he was in preschool. He developed a great affinity and empathy for the outcast animal at a young age while taking care of animals at his dad’s veterinary practice.
Eskridge works full-time as an artist and muralist, focusing on the fun side of un-huggable wildlife and pop culture party favors. He resides in Athens, GA with his wife, their son, and their motley crew of dogs and cats. Along with art, Will also drums and plays guitar in various musical projects. Eskridge’s work is in both private and public collections in Athens, Atlanta, Raleigh, Nashville, New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, China, Germany, Italy, Ireland, and Switzerland.
In his brightly colored wildlife paintings, Will focuses on celebrating often elusive wildlife, setting them in positive, party-like surroundings. He uses colors beyond the norm to show off wildlife’s vigor, and persistence to survive. Mixing a style of surrealism, pop, and a dash of impressionism, Will brews a fun world where the animals are hosting their own party.
Eskridge’s latest series, Moose Pond and Bison Country are both ongoing up-close-and-personal wildlife portraits. The works are directly inspired by the beautiful wildlife he encountered on his trips to Montana and Wyoming in 2024. On these trips, Will experienced wildlife he had rarely seen before. Through the portraits, Eskridge uses high texture, bold color, and a prideful eye to show off these majestic beasts and their exuberant allure.
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