About Paul
Paul Willey, age 18, has entered the Junior Duck Stamp Competition
since
he was twelve. That first year, he won first place in his age division in
the Arkansas state competition and has entered every year since, winning
Arkansas Best of Show four times. The Junior Duck Stamp Program has been
instrumental in broadening his knowledge of conservation and his artistic
repertoire. His teacher, Suzanne Kunkel, introduced him to the contest in
sixth grade and has encouraged him annually on his quest for a national
win.
Drawing, especially wildlife, is second nature to Willey. He began drawing at a young age and realized it was what he loved doing. Now a senior at Conway High School, he has competed in various art contests and has taken many commissions. He uses his art as a way of expressing his passion for portraying the beauty of our natural world. Willey enjoys experimenting with all forms of art but he says his favorite is realism. “I want to capture a moment in time found in nature, and if I can accurately portray that moment, that feeling, as authentic and as beautiful as it is in real life then I feel I have succeeded,” he said.
Willey lives in Conway, Arkansas where there is an abundance of forests and wildlife and ponds from which he draws inspiration for his artwork. He has been exposed to all kinds of North American wildlife through the many places he has lived and visited. When Paul is not exploring the outdoors or working on his latest painting he is doing the other things he enjoys such as dirt biking, playing golf, reading and writing, weight lifting, or just relaxing with a movie or with friends.
Willey plans to use art in his future. He is going to the University of Central Arkansas where he will study art and pursue an art related career. He knows he wants a career that allows him to use art everyday. He feels art is an important part of his life and wants to honor that and use his creative side everyday in the workforce.