Willie Willie

Willie Willie

Willie Willie is a master with his favorite tool, the plasma torch, which he wields with the grace of a painter and the precision of a surgeon. Willie creates his art from scrap metal which he cuts with the torch and either paints in brilliant colors or allows to weather naturally. He mounts the pieces on scrap wood as framing. A lifelong resident of Ascension Parish, his imagery reflects his Louisiana surroundings. For more than twenty years Willie worked in the industrial plants that operate in the area not-so-affectionately known as "Cancer Alley." Working in the plants, he was inspired to use their discarded metal as raw material for his artwork. He says he would bring his creations to show the foreman at work, who would take one look and just shake his head, saying "Willie, Willie..." Now he is happy to be using that name at his full-time profession as an artist.