Wesley Willis: Artist of the Streets

[@ccwhart]

You are welcome. This video remained unseen for 20 years. I made it for Chicago Cable Access, but they rejected it saying that the sound was bad. I told them that was just the way Wesley talked.

[@ChristopherSobieniak]

That was a shame.

[@dr.smurpf6979]

I always wondered if his speech pattern was a product of his mental health, lack of education, or some combo of both?

[@sparkimoto]

I didn't notice anything wrong with the sound. But with today's editing tools you can fix just about anything.

[@qanaks8390]

Dr. Smurpf must mainly be lack of education, I’m sure that schizophrenia doesn’t affect your speech

[@doomality]

thank you very much for uploading this

[@ccwhart]

I love how he says, "like a flock of geese heading south,' and talks about "draping" his drawings in color. I still smile at the scene where he is setting up his chair and waving enthusiastically to the camera. Before we shot it, I told him to ignore me, but as you can see, he didn't.

[@theh0r5e90]

thank you so much for uploading this

[@carlhart4484]

@@theh0r5e90 You're very welcome.

[@marlonmarquez4798]

He said his drawings were “decent”. Almost everyone ive met draws way worse. He is a real character.

[@DazzaBo]

That's beautiful. I agree, I really love the way he talks about draping his pictures in colour.

[@Earl_E_Burd]

Thank you for this. I was fortunate enough to butt heads with Wesley in Peoria in 2001.

[@ThrashMetallix]

I'm running my ink pen I'm running my mouth. Rock over London, Rock out in Heaven. Sail on Mr. Willis, we miss you.

[@Chibart]

He was an amazing guy. Sadly, I felt like he was a little exploited by his celebrity, but every time I ran into him, he had something interesting to say or show me. RIP Wesley.

[@dummytree]

I think he was probably exploited to an extent too. Not everyone has the best intentions. It's complicated. I think many people respected him but also other people were tongue in cheek about him, or even making fun of the guy, it's not a clear, comfortable position. The celebrity was probably overwhelming for Wesley, he was a strong man on some respects but he also had to be "handled with care" on other areas.

[@dummytree]

I never got to meet him but I know people in Chicago who have.

[@Chibart]

You know, actually many people DID respect him. But I agree... a bit of exploitation in there too.

[@RunningP123456]

Of course laugh! he loved making people laugh :) Laughing your ass off at the amazingly ridiculous things someone says doesn't mean you're laughing at him. Wes is such an inspiration to me, guy was such a genius, and genuinely loved making art

[@TourettesOrc]

RunningP123456 yeah I think so too. He was a comedian and his stuff genuinely made me laugh with him not at him but there’s always jerks who laugh at people in the crowd

[@carolinasculpturestudio]

Wesley was and is a true, absolute artist- no pretense, no obligation to the standards of others. His work has so much motion, it's amazing. He drew a piece he titled "Clark & Dearborn, Ohio & Ontario" for my wife and I at the 1991 Gold Coast Art Festival just north of the Loop. Wesley, his style & method and this drawing continue to inspire me as an artist. Awesome to see this piece. Thanks for posting.

[@computersnevergoonstrike]

Do you have that photo still, and if so, would you mind sharing a photo of it? I love his artwork. Met him a handful of times in the city. I had a few pieces I had bought--for about $10-20 just as he says here (he also combined a bunch for me once). I lost all of it and the few I had left were (sadly) thrown away on accident. Somebody I was living with did not know their significance as we packed for a move, and I had them in folders. I was upset, but I like to think somebody saw it somewhere along the way and took it in. His art is so unique, and I don't see much that looks quite like it. My grandfather had a similar style but that is the only person I ever knew. Wes was such a kind person and gentle giant. I would love to see the photo. I wanted to buy a piece I saw for sale not too long ago, but now they are up there in price, and it doesn't feel the same buying from a resale or eBay type of place when it comes to this stuff.... The memories stay with me. I am just always curious to see any pieces he has done. Thanks for the story, as well, @Carolina Sculture Studio :)

[@mikejanik6873]

Great video. I used to ride the bus with Wesley. I first met him around the time this video was made, and I knew him later as well. He did seem to be more upbeat earlier. He was a man haunted by many demons, but you can really see the joy and exuberance he had here.

[@nayrtnartsipacify]

If you glimpse a bit of this man and don't love him you have no heart.

[@lesterclaypool1]

My wife has her favorite quote of Wesley's. "Don't ever shoot my Sunday joyride music down." written in three inch letters on our office wall, in sharpie pen. She says that Wesley keeps her from hitting people on the street in the head with bricks in the same way that Wesley's art kept him from doing the same.

[@derpinderpana8830]

This made me cry ;-;

[@grumblekin]

This is 2020 and we have failed Wesley Willis. He is on his Heavenly joyride and we are still doing our yell-down-war-hell ride...RIP, you magnificent creator!!!

[@Eklektik40]

That was one year before he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. Wish I could have met that gentle giant, at least once.

[@lawrenceworthington5667]

I toured with Wesley in 2001 and he was an amazing guy who was always in sweatpants To see him young, stylish and slim is very moving Thanks for uploading

[@TourettesOrc]

He drew from memory too. I really love his art, and someday would like to own one of his pieces. would of been so cool to see him contribute or do some work for Adult Swim

[@itsianlol]

I know I'm 13 years late, but thank you for posting this! I really cherish this portrait of Wesley, it's nice to see him so happy.

[@carlhart4484]

You are very welcome.

[@AluVixapede]

I don't mean to be derisive, but I wasn't expecting this art to be that good, I'm quite impressed. Especially for just sitting down and drawing what strikes you.

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

6:59 this drawing here is of an Regional Transportation Authority highliner, while the freight next to it is two Illinois Central GP-40's. The thrid locomotive is a Elgin Joliet and Eastern Baldwin Center Cab, pulling a train of truck trailers on flatcars. The freight is on the Illinois Central mainline, while the passenger is on the Illinois Central Electric and South Shore Line. Great drawing.

[@tsarbomba1]

I saw in another documentary that the numbers he put on them were actual numbers and could be tracked.

[@deanandreoli1530]

"keep them ink pens workin' for me..." This.

[@kidsdraw8162]

Even though he experienced so much injustice his positive energy and vibration radiates thru the screen. RIP to a king and a legend

[@ccwhart]

That's how I met him in the first place. I was working, at the time, in downtown Chicago and would see him all the time. I would stop and talk and maybe buy a picture or two. We got to be friends, and then later when I was studying television production at Columbia College in Chicago, I knew that he would be a great subject for a short documentary.

[@p_noc]

Thank you so much for preserving him in his element, before his music became known. So fascinating to see his process and hear how he thought.

[@justincase4382]

You did not stop to buy a picture

[@carlhart4484]

​@@justincase4382And how do you know that? I bought several.

[@ccwhart]

You're right about the music. When I knew him in the 80s, there was no hint of that. It's too bad that his art has been overshadowed by his music. He had a rare and genuine talent for drawing, but none for music other that thinking of hysterical song titles. He was exploited and abandoned by his musical handlers. He died in a hospice without a penny. Where did all the money go?

[@aspiringmultiplicity]

I agree that his "talent" for music was minimal especially in comparison to visual art, but to be fair about the money, a lot of it probably went to producing CDs, art supplies, travel, and living expenses. All that traveling, all that fast food, he made 50+ long distance calls a month and had a sizable phone bill he always paid in full according to his roommate in one of the documentaries. And no other consistent source of income aside from possibly SSI which barely pays the rent if that. He had a cult following but it's not like his music was generating millions, you know? I can easily see how he would've ended up "in a hospice without a penny" accounting for all of that.

[@landrybutler]

I discovered him through the music and am excited to see him doing visual work. Thanks! Musically, WW is right up there with The Shaggs, Jandek, Howard Finster and others in my book. Absolute outsider genius, which inspired me to do my thing as well. Rock on, Wesley! Pontiac, we build excitement. 👍👍👽

[@Whitehorse_crimefighter]

Even the most popular underground bands don't make money from cds and music. They make their money slinging merch like shirts and buttons and hoodies. The money from playing live shows might pay for gas if you're lucky. Even snoop dogg only got a couple thousand for his biggest hits in the 90s

[@rcala1980]

"Whiscaletti" That's dope that he thought of the names of his custom cars. RIP Wesley! "Rock over London, Rock on Chicago."

[@evankirchmer]

wish i could get me one of them four-story Whiscalettis

[@rcala1980]

@@evankirchmer Right? Imagine rollin with the homies in a Whiscaletti.

[@LowEnd31st]

What about the fallopian 😅

[@jeffreybussmann3313]

"My drawings always look decent." They certainly do.

[@alba9285]

This video is very relaxing and calming for some reason.

[@jiveAt5]

Those drawings seem technically pretty impressive, the way he creates distance without prior learning is amazing

[@afrosheenix]

Vanishing point technique, he had to learn that somewhere.

[@orfeo793]

@@afrosheenix Apparently he really honed it as a kid in public school art classes, and wanted to be an architect

[@TyeNee]

He had a fundamental understanding of 3D space and perspective for sure

[@i.am.moeylicious]

Echoing all the previous comments, thanks for creating and sharing this! Rock over London, Rock on Chicago.

[@ccwhart]

@lesterclaypool1 I'm not a psychiatrist nor can I account for what Wesley said, but when I met him in the early 80s, it was quite evident that whatever it was that was affecting him was already affecting him at that time. Perhaps it changed over time, though in videos of him interacting with other people made later in his life, I don't really see any difference. And thanks for thanking me. At the time I made this video, he was completely unknown.

[@MrBentzsco]

its so interesting to hear his thoughts. he seemed much less talkative later in life. i feel very fortunate that i was able to see him a few times.

[@lesterclaypool1]

I really hope that the uploader stayed in film production. The edit on this video is wonderful.

[@carlhart1964]

Thanks very much, but no, I didn't stay in film production. My career has been in teaching English as a second language and writing books related to this field.

[@lesterclaypool1]

Carl Hart A productive and good life :). We have this to enjoy thanks to you.

[@TimZuellig]

I interviewed him backstage at a concert (Q101's Twisted Christmas) in, I think, 1995. There's a beta tape somewhere, somewhere, with that interview. I used to have a copy on VHS, but it's long gone. It was a completely amazing interview with him. I asked him all these questions, very quickly because he was distracted, and had his band Fiasco looking out for him. I talked to them, too. Amazing guy. He used to frequent the coffee shop that I lived above, Myopic Earwax, in Chicago in the early 90s. Really loved this guy.

[@loopedchopped]

plz update if you ever find it

[@OrangeYTT]

There's an audio tape of (I think Kevin & bean?) interviewing him after his sets. Should be on KZbin at the end of the concert.

[@talktozay]

By far one of the greatest people to ever live. I never met him and he died when I was still very young. Rest in peace, Mr.Willis... don't forget to rock heaven's ass off.

[@chrisramseyartwork9144]

Very inspiring from another Chicago artist. Wesley your art and life means a lot to me R.I.P.

[@MrMagnuminium]

PFFFFFT His music was so rad! And I know it wasn't HIT worthy. but seriously ENTERTAINING. As a musician and finding inspiration and other ways of looking at things. HE was original and made his points... his songs were as colorful as his pictures...

[@druffthewolf3830]

To be fair, though, he was a great musician as well.

[@Colonel_RamRod]

Rock over London rock out Chicago ❤️ I say that anytime I play a song for friends. Just so they’ll ask what it means and I can show Wesley to someone new. An amazing artist I’m truly inspired by in my own work ❤❤❤

[@chainsawteddybear]

Such a beautiful soul

[@rockypc24]

his music was equally as amazing as his artwork

[@Avucs]

I am speechless, all I can do is sit here and smile... what a fascinating person.

[@roomforthefiiixins2491]

So talented, and so misunderstood. I'm still blown away by this man to this day. RIP Wes

[@kirbytrooper]

first time ive seen his drawing technique and im blown away by how hes using another pen as a straight edge

[@Gill13013]

Thank you so much for the PROOF that this kind, loving, humerous, interesting person that we already loved truly WAS a GENIUS, man!

[@w4r7]

man i'd love to own one of his pieces. rock over heaven wesley willis...rock on.

[@JonathanFraserMusic]

He sounds a lot more stable in this video then later on in his career

[@jiveAt5]

getting his back slashed open with a box cutter didn't help either, poor soul😞he was talented beyond comprehension, May He Rest in Peace.

[@tanssi2145]

This is pre schizophrenia diagnosis, he unfortunately suffered greatly through this period and after, rest easy beautiful man, you inspire us all

[@cxeroannuki2840]

@@tanssi2145 sometimes the meds used to manage psychosis can really slow you down mentally especially if the dose is too high. he might have had some of that going on, so not only stable here but also more lucid

[@alexcarter8807]

Guy was a genius. Love his music too. Sometimes I just have to hear some "Cut The Mullet" or "Batman Kicked My Ass".

[@yup.uh-huh.1183]

Batman kicked My Ass is a classic, holy shit.

[@franzhaas1481]

A true man of art.Love and respect.

[@JayDecayAE]

Man... Ten or twenty bucks. I would pay hundreds for his art. RIP Wesley Willis Rock over London. Rock on Chicago.

[@64MUsonic]

The mind has many secrets, few of which we understand.

[@ExultantindustriesBlogspot]

THANK YOU FOR MAKING & POSTING THIS!!! I have heard his music but never knew he drew. I really like his lines. As a kid I would always draw cityscapes like his. He is a great artist!

[@jonnyerts3997]

Im very glad that I get to see the true talent Wesley Willis had in this video.

[@thewoof]

Thank you for sharing this. The life and work of Wesley Willis means a great deal to a lot of people, myself included.

[@DanZero77]

A very rare and intimate portrait of one of the greatest voices of our time. Although he was very well known for his music, his drawing was another way of him being an "artist" to himself and to the world, chasing away his demons and overcoming adversity in a way only he knew how to do it, and we are left with a brutally raw and honest legacy of a man not many know, but when is discovered, left a mark on America.

[@JulianFRosales]

This guy has some real talent that is not seen everyday..... Great work Wesley Willis, and a big thanks to the person who shared this video with us.

[@ForeverInDiapers]

Rest in peace Wesley Willis! He was such a great guy and a truly talented artist and musician. It saddens me to know he's no longer with us.

[@G0ldkloud]

It's tragic that I'll never get the chance to meet Wesley or to hear him perform in person, but it's amazing that you've allowed us to see this otherwise lost part of him. Thank you for uploading this!

[@Greedyselfish97]

Damn, he looks so thin in this! I could barely recognize him!

[@Slig1977]

+Greedyselfish97 This was also before he started head butting people and before that piece of shit thug stabbed him! No bruise on his forehead or scar on his cheek.

[@justz000t]

He probably gained the weight from antipsychotic medications.

[@popahtrj]

@@justz000t they said he did in his documentary so you’re right

[@violette4559]

For some reason, I keep watching this over and over. Inspiring to me...

[@jamalydude]

Lylilion Milkyway dude me too! the way he articulates his words and paints the words in your head as well as the way he strings words together is wonderful on the ears you can feel his sincerity

[@TourettesOrc]

jamalydude me 3!

[@ashtray3860]

Woah! He made art too! I only knew him for his music, my dad used to know him, and I think he did some sound work for some of his shows, but I was never told he had other works outside that. I wish I could’ve met the guy, such a raw and genuine human being.

[@carlhart7336]

He certainly did, and that was his true talent. It's a shame that his art has been overshadowed by his, frankly, unlistenable music.

[@TheAnimallover81]

Wow that is some very very impressive drawings! What a creative man he was!! R.I.P Wesley Willis!!

[@fletchkeilman2205]

I miss him

[@XARTRH]

Wesley Willis, you are missed!!! Rest In Peace My Friend, RIP. R__d

[@beefsoda1]

The world misses him. I miss him.

[@lukehayden5492]

Thank you so much for this! I am currently researching Wesley for a conference paper on his music. I think it's great that this is now available widely online. I really like how you just let Wesley speak and didn't try to force him into a narrative like so often happened with his music career.

[@8bit_eric]

Thank you so much for posting this video. I was introduced to the music of Wesley Willis less than a year before his untimely death, and I have been listening to it ever since and continue to introduce others to it to this day. Knowing of his struggles and some of the terrible things he experienced, it's great to see him here, being so happy to do what he loved most and to share his work with others.

[@ccwhart]

Other than the unused raw footage I shot for this, I don't have any more. It's all on 3/4 inch tape, so I can't even play it now since I don't have access to the equipment.

[@Halfirishdan]

I’m so glad I discovered Wes. Such a pure artist and such a natural talent. It’s always bittersweet with him, knowing what he’s been through. However you frame it though, it’s very real: no pretence or bullshit. I think that’s the true beauty of him as a man and as an artist. Rock over London Rock on Chicago 🫡🤘🏾

[@mikejanik6873]

I bought one drawing from him. I wish I still had it.

[@reptilianmonkog7050]

+Mike Janik damn i would have given you a 1000 for it.

[@chainsawteddybear]

Mike Janik I would've given you my entire life savings for it

[@computersnevergoonstrike]

I had a lot over time but my friend has most and I lost touch with 'em. The folder I had left I had put the few I had left (I was moving and trying to store them in something that didn't fold them anymore than they had been) was tossed on accident... I still bum out over that.

[@mikejanik6873]

I didn't sell it or deliberately get rid of it. It got stolen with a bunch of vinyl records I had.

[@computersnevergoonstrike]

Yeah. Mine's more depressing. Someone thought it was a friend of mine's art they left here and just tossed it. I was in the middle of a move and I guess I didn't label stuff very well. :( I hope someone found it and realized what they had in that folder.... I like to think someone else has them now.

[@vdubb20]

A Chicago LEGEND!

[@zackpumpkinhead8882]

Wesley Willis was the greatest punk rocker of his generation

[@Pedro-uz8jz]

God....what a gem! A true, Chicago gem!

[@DazzaBo]

Everything he says sounds like poetry.

[@DickGerard]

Thanks so much for this- I watch it every so often and am always inspired by it. Wesley would have been 50 today, and he was a wonderful artist in all respects. Miss his head butts.

[@desertstormchefnice9446]

What an amazing person.

[@ccwhart]

I do, however, own the drawing he's seen working on in the video, along with several others.

[@subliminallabs]

Thank you so much for sharing with everyone. This is fantastic. I had no idea he drew at all! I don't think many people do. A true hero, this man.

[@JordanBarclay]

What a beautiful work of art

[@o0GrayMatters0o]

Some days when im down and out, i put on some Wesley Willis and he drapes my whole day in color. I like "Suck a Caribou's Ass" a lot. I heard him on the Howard Stern show and he had some drawings for sale but I never realized that he was such an amazing artist until I actually some them for myself. He quoted Howard "at least $100 dollars" but Howard kinda laughed. Howard would be crazy not to pay only $100 for an original Wesley Willis smackin' a horses ass with a leather belt. Wesley Willis RIP

[@vanessajeanne]

I miss him :(

[@ccwhart]

I'm glad you liked my video, but do you mean you never heard of Wesley Willis or didn't know that he was an artist? Many people know he was an artist with a very unique genius and a talent far beyond any musical talent of which I don't think he really had any beyond coming up with absolutely hysterical song titles.

[@1MHCS]

This is really amazing, thank you so much for posting this. You can tell he is using the art to fight something on the inside. Amazing footage and insight.

[@thechapelperilous]

Wesley was pure rock n roll art power. Bless him forever. Ride that city bus till Christ calls you home .

[@sarahmaske7335]

He was brilliant. He just had too many demons to fight. You can hear what a kind, gentle soul he truly was. Mental illness came with too much stigma then, and still today....

[@skullcollectorSKIN]

He was such an enigma and an amazing artist

[@RobertFrederickstechnobaba]

This is about a year before I met Wesley, and recorded his verbalizing, which I set to music, which inspired him to write his songs. Great Video, very nice, you capture Wesley's personality very well.

[@DlCKWALLACE]

This makes me so sad. What genuine, pure soul, gone to soon.

[@budmelvin]

Thank you so much for posting this. Wesley was a beautiful and tragic human being. Another piece of the Chicago I used to know and love gone too soon.

[@avbferreira8986]

this guy is an inspiration

[@xbrothercausey]

i had the pleasure of knowing wesley in the 2000's.. thanks

[@spayspay]

OMG! Thank you so much for uploading this! Talk about rare footage!

[@RobertFrederickstechnobaba]

Also, this shows his amazing perspective, sitting on a chair on the ground, drawing as if he was up 100 feet and looking through a fish eye lens...just amazing.

[@Yell_Dead_Cell]

He was such a beautiful artist. Thank you for making this ❤️❤️❤️

[@danielscissorhands]

Wow! Thanks for the upload. I like his music, but I never knew he could draw so well! Awesome!

[@starandswords]

He was so talented! Happy to have met him.

[@DireAngelic]

Thank you for posting this. I wish I had lived in Chicago when Wesley was still around. He seemed like an awesome guy.

[@Sue_Me_Too]

RIP Wesley, the demons can't get you no more!

[@GRiNDWiZARD187]

thank you for sharing , I never seen footage of Wesley this young.

[@Antipolicestate]

This was (and im not to good with big describing words) an find of historic proportion. I never heard of Wesley Willis as an artist before. I dont think anyone has. This is really an amazing one of a kind bit of fottage

[@DinosaurJr8]

Wow. That was super inspiring. I'd do anything to have one of his drawings.

[@wu10314]

Just rediscovered wesley willis after listening to his howard stern interview. Great doc.

[@barqs1898]

FASCINATING! I'm a longtime fan of Wesley Willis. Thanks for uploading this!

[@royazoulay3371]

4:39 What a legend, drawing in a panoramic view perspective.

[@HAZARDOUS88]

Thanks for this. Amazing video.

[@getheroutofthetruck]

amazing art. amazing artist

[@jasonstewart3748]

I'm here because I heard his song Rock And Roll McDonald's in a pit viper commercial.

[@VinnytotheK]

This is amazing man, thank you fir uploading it.