Will Nelson Biography
1/8/25
By Nancy Inaba, IWS History Project and 50th Anniversary.
(3.20.25) This article about the esteemed artist, Will Nelson, is being re-sent to you with my apologies. The article had so many formatting issues it was difficult to read, and the picture attached to the article was not the correct picture.
Introduction:
IWS will be celebrating its 50th year anniversary in 2026. This interview and biography are part of IWS’s history project to preserve our stories and photos of the last 50 years.
I have come to learn of Will’s many contributions and accomplishments, along with many artists who contributed to create the artistic landscape that is Idaho. I became interested in the history of IWS when Craig Collette of Roots Family History, offered an award for the Annual Show in honor of Will Nelson.
The article below is a biography of Will Nelson. He created a foundational artistic standard to the arts in Idaho. He was a contributor, a mentor and an inspiration to the arts in Idaho and around the world. The information is based on contributions from multiple sources and an interview with Elaine Nelson, his gracious wife, along with Joyce Green, Pam Grant and me.
The interview (below in italics) is called Lessons in Still Life, written by Craig Collette and has direct quotes from Will. Lessons in Still Life illustrate his artistic motivations, method and passion for painting.
Lessons in Still Life
Written by Craig Collete, from interview with Will Nelson
“Still life requires research…Everything that fascinates me the most becomes the subject for my next painting…It’s an ongoing learning process, every subject that I see, I have to delve into and study.
I’ll see an object that looks like something that should be painted. And I think, well, can I relate to it to make a composition. Putting all those pieces together, I would hope that anybody looking at it might spark an interest in that period of time.”
Craig observes a great deal of thought and intention has been the mastermind of these creations and I’m anxious to hear the thoughts of a man whose life story captured in decades of artwork. Will explains to me that everything has a past and a future. It has a story to tell. His shelves are full of books he calls “subjects. Everything that is, he learns is paintable, everything that is painted is first learned.”
A particular painting catches me eye. It features a French helmet and other early 19th Century objects. He teaches me, “You can compose a story, like this piece in the hall, when I went to the antique shop, when I found that helmet. I remember I asked the lady, are there any other related pieces that go with this? I want to do something that relates to the time of that helmet. That became a Napoleonic story. I’ve always tried to do that, tell a story with the objects…One piece supports another, and another.”
Craig observes the story comes to life while my eyes move from the helmet to French War books, and a marble death mask sculpture of the Frenchman…Each object is of the greatest pictorial fidelity.
“I paint one object at a time. I got a lot of criticism from other artists for doing that. I’ve always felt a need to complete as good as I can, each section of a painting.”
“It’s the initial drawing where I try to correlate it all. Today I tell my students that drawing is critical. Most of the trouble that you find as you’re painting is because you didn’t draw it properly. To correct that in paint is really hard to do. When you’re drawing something, and it’s a challenge to draw, and you bring that line along that’s nice and clean, and it’s exactly what you had in your head, that’s very satisfying.”
Will’s first love in art is, Still Life. The many thousands of paintings reflect thousands of hours of study from thousands of books. …If you have the opportunity to ask Will yourself which is the greatest masterpiece of them all, he’ll kindly let you know, “My next one.”
Biography of Will Nelson:
Will Nelson was born in 1932 in Twin Falls, Idaho. “Will grew up on the Lazy J-L cattle ranch nestled in the quiet open country of Southern Idaho. The wildlife, terrain, and seasons of the high desert country provided an endless source of inspiration of his interest in art.”
Will was an early influence in the Idaho Art world, along with Gaye Hoopes, Dwight Williams, Dr. Stephen Beck and John Kilmaster. He taught watercolor painting at the Maple Grove Grange. Many IWS members took watercolor classes from him. He was a successful artist and lived by his motto, “Where there’s a Will, there’s a way.”
He graduated from the Art Center College in Los Angeles and joined the illustration staff at Stephens Biondi DeCicco Studio in L.A. When starting as a new grad, he was dubbed “The Wonder Kid.” His work took him far and wide. Over the last 50 years his illustrations have appeared in national and international publications such as National Geographic Society, Smithsonian Institute, Time Life, McGraw Hill, Splash 12 the Best of Watercolor. He was chosen for the Duck’s Unlimited Idaho, state print for 2004, and the Salmon and Steelhead Unlimited, state print in 2006. Idaho Forest Products Commission chose him to illustrate a poster “Look to the Forest” to be used in all Idaho public school libraries. He earned many other awards and exhibitions.
He returned to Idaho in 1963, He began teaching watercolor painting in the 80’s in addition to his art practice. His intention for teaching was to “Create a love of Art.” He and his wife Elaine raised three daughters and enjoy 9 grandchildren. His house is filled with books, resources, scientific studies and interests ranging far and wide. He knew his subjects deeply and in great detail. For example, he grew a large garden to accurately include the plants included in his art work.
China opened its borders in 1987 to the west, for a scientific expedition to the Wolong Panda Preserve in Northern China. Will was chosen as the artist for this elite expedition. He painted the Giant Panda and cub, which led to environmental paintings for Chevron Corporation and the Bradford Exchange. He went on to paint over 20 endangered animals. His prints were sold worldwide as a limited edition.
Will’s last inspiration:
Will Nelson passed away in 2014 surrounded by loved ones. Elaine, his wife allowed one of his young students to visit him at his bedside. The student mourned that she would never be able to paint again without him. In response, he advised her to “Paint from your heart.” Will left the world a more beautiful place.
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