This St. George artist uses spoons, yarn, pipe cleaners and more to paint magic

Aug 20, 2023

ST. GEORGE —Painting with spoons, paper towels, wedges, strings and pipe cleaners is just a part of this artist’s work. And it’s still evolving.

“People like my 12-year-old painting style,” artist Wil Adams said with a laugh. “I have a mental block when I’m using acrylics with a paintbrush, so I try to use anything other than a paintbrush. I started using a spoon and it just spreads out so nice.”

Adams is a licensed massage therapist and the artist behind Desert Art Vibe, where he offers everything from acrylic and watercolor paintings to digitally enhanced photography turned into unique works of art.

Before the use of computer technology took over, Adams said he was into graphic art and photography. He would take photographs, develop the film and create enlargements. He then took semi-transparent oil pants and painted the photographs, which became the early roots of his own style.

He started college for business in Salt Lake City, then moved to Southern Utah to attend Utah Tech University (named Dixie College at the time) for art. After graduation, he moved back to Salt Lake City where he worked for portrait studios like Olan Mills and had a goal to become a massage therapist, which ultimately became his occupation.

While he focused on his career as a licensed massage therapist for 30 years, he continued to dabble in a variety of art on the side such as polymer clay and lapidary work.

But it was an invitation to a paint night event five years ago when everything changed.

“It got me hooked,” he said. “I started watching all these paint-pouring videos on YouTube and developing my own art style. My wife was like, you need to start selling your paintings.”

He painted acrylic art in his home garage until the scorching summer heat set in, then he transitioned to indoor watercolor painting.

Continuing to follow his creative drive, he decided to take some of his own photographs and place them into different filter apps. And after making his first digital photograph, he said he was hooked.

Adding filters, blowing up the colors, and bringing them together to look seamless is something he enjoys. But he’s not the only one who appreciates the aesthetic.

“When I’m at fairs, people tell me they’ve never experienced anything like it before,” he said about his digital art.

Also part of his original style is using strings to create his signature feather paintings.

“So basically, I figure out where I want the spine of the feather to be, then I put two pieces of yarn in that space,” he said. “Then I take paint and pack the paint around the yarn, take one piece of yarn and pull it in the design of the feather.”

Many of his art pieces, which also include drawings, are inspired by his personal experiences. He recalled one of these experiences, which happened in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic when he lost his wallet in Southern California. His wallet, however, was returned to him with his ID, cards and money all still inside.

“We just felt totally blessed, and all night long I was thinking how can I express this, and this is what came into my mind,” he said, pointing at his artwork. “I call it the spread of endless love and peace.”

The fact that this happened in the middle of the pandemic made it all the more special, he said, for despite the chaos and uncertainty, this served as an example that people were good and honest with an intention to look out for their families.

While Adams is still a professional massage therapist, he is no longer taking new clients and hopes to transition to art full-time. His artwork is currently available in wall decor, shirts, mugs, flasks and stickers.

For more information on Desert Art Vibe, visit this website. Shop art in person at Datura Gallery in Kayenta, Red Canyon Company in Hurricane, Lotus Studio in Kanab and Awakened Soul Center and Gaia’s Garden Cafe in St. George. Stay up-to-date with new art and events by following Adams on Instagram.

Photo Gallery

Digital Artwork by Wil Adams includes a tree against the desert's red rocks, St. George, Utah, July 19, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

The Desert Art Vibe booth is seen at a local market, location and date unspecified | Photo courtesy of Wil Adams via desertartvibe.com, St. George News

Wil Adams, the artist behind Desert Art Vibe, stands next to his artwork in St. George, Utah, July 19, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Artwork by Wil Adams includes green trees against red rock, St. George, Utah, July 19, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Digital Artwork by Wil Adams is pictured in St. George, Utah, July 19, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

A painting by Wil Adams features feathers made with string, location and date specified | Photo courtesy of Wil Adams via desertartvibe.com, St. George News

A painting by Wil Adams features feathers made with string, St. George, Utah, July 19, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

A painting by Wil Adams features feathers made with string, location and date specified | Photo courtesy of Wil Adams via desertartvibe.com, St. George News

A variety of digital and painted art by Desert Art Vibe hangs on the wall in St. George, Utah, July 19, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

A grove of trees painted by Wil Adams hangs on the wall in St. George, Utah, July 19, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Artwork by Wil Adams is inspired by losing his wallet and seeing the good in the world, location and date specified | Photo courtesy of Wil Adams via desertartvibe.com, St. George News

A variety of paintings and drawings by Desert Art Vibe are turned into stickers, St. George, Utah, July 19, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Wil Adams, the artist behind Desert Art Vibe, stands next to his artwork in St. George, Utah, July 19, 2023 | Photo by Jessi Bang, St. George News

Art by Wil Adams is seen on a mug, location and date specified | Photo courtesy of Wil Adams via desertartvibe.com, St. George News

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2023, all rights reserved.

Jessi Bang was born and raised in Utah and has a passion for nature and the great outdoors. She graduated from Kaplan University in California with a degree in criminal justice. She has extensive experience in marketing, content creation, photography and copywriting. You can find her showcasing outdoor adventures through her blog, “The Rambling Raccoon.” In her free time, she enjoys climbing mountains, trail running, working out and cuddling her two lovable pups.

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