Off Track is a new interview series with folks at the intersection of culture and sport.
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This past week, a new creative project took me to the great state of Texas, and gosh darnit meemaw did I have a darn good time. For real. I haven't been back to my homeland in too long and reconnecting with the homies was as revitalizing as my nightly Topicals ritual.
One of those aforementioned homies being the hugely talented Will Bryant: A world renowned painter, muralist, sculptor, and multi-media artist. His work is at the center of the Austin art scene, gracing the facade of many-a-small business and city walls.
As an athlete, Will is a cornerstone of the blossoming fitness community in Austin. He's a regular at The Breakfast Club -- a cycling club that has taken the nation by storm with their community approach to the sport. Funny enough, the West brothers' interviewed Will years back for their newsletter 'New Library' (RIP). So, in a full circle moment we caught up with Will to see how life at the intersection of art and sport has been treating him.
Who are you? What should the aliens know about you?
I’m an artist, designer, and illustrator based in Austin, TX. More importantly, I’m married to my childhood sweetheart and have two really fun kids, Polly (age 9) and James (age 4). The aliens need to know that I used have a quick first step, and upon arrival would offer to make a marg as a welcome to earth gift (unless the probing thing is real, then no marg).
First 3 things you do to set you up for a good day?
Getting out of bed is the hardest one, making a cup of coffee, then helping someone else in the house get ready.
Who or What has been a big source of inspiration for you and your work?
Pee Wee’s Playhouse has been a big influence, but my mentor Kate Bingaman-Burt has been the greatest inspiration for my career. She is an undeniable force and radiant human full of joy. Further along in life, movement outdoors has become essential to my process.
What is your relationship to fitness and running?
I started out as a kid obsessed with basketball and played regularly up until the pandemic. Sports were always an outlet for me growing up, and something I continued recreationally throughout college. As for running, I was a sprinter in track but, in my 30s have dabbled with endurance. Trail running became an interest in late 2017 after I signed up for the Big Bend 30k—one of the hardest things I’ve done. Since then I have become very obsessed with cycling, mostly road but some gravel, and now ripping trails with my son. I also play sandlot baseball and base running is my absolute favorite aspect—outside of the community. I do try to run 1-2 times a week, sometimes with my dog Lady Biscuit. Running is a lot harder on my body, but I never regret the miles, I just can’t do it everyday.
^^ speaking of hard on the body.
How does that relationship effect how you approach your craft?
At this point, health and fitness is essential to functioning, not just craft. I feel miserable, frustrated, and mopey whenever I go several days without intentionally moving around.
You have any life philosophies or quotes that guide how you move through this world?
Sure, I Like Fun is a go to phrase for me personally.
What makes you toss and turn at night?
Unanswered emails that have been camping out in my inbox, and the occasional reoccurring dream where I have an opportunity to play in some sporting event (high school alumni game) but only have flip flops. I don’t even own flip flops!
Where are you headed next?
Sadly I cannot make it to Big Bend for the trail race this year, but the fam is headed to Disney World! I cannot wait to watch my son go crazy in the Millennium Falcon on his 5th birthday.
Thank you Will. 'Preciate you.
