Five Questions with Associate Professor William Potter

Monday, March 25, 2019

William Potter. Courtesy of William Potter

William Potter, associate dean of faculty affairs and associate professor of foundation studies, serves as an academic cornerstone for Herron and currently teaches in the painting and drawing and illustration programs.

In our next "Five Questions" Q&A series, where we ask various Herron faculty members for sage advice and insights about their chosen creative disciplines, Potter shares his insights on creative inspiration, the importance of an arts education, and more.

HERRON: You've had lots of experience working with art on a large, sometimes national scale. What inspires you creatively?

POTTER: Like many artists, I was an introverted kid and also a dyslexic one. Art was another world that I could go into. I would draw constantly and would fall asleep drawing, staining my bed with magic markers. The inspiration then was fantasy creatures – dragons and unicorns. In high school, I was inspired more by punk rock culture and the grittiness of it. At this point in time, I thought that photography was my medium.

When I first started art school, I was inspired by surrealism; the stranger the better. As I viewed more artwork, I was inspired by the works of painters like Robert Motherwell, Willem de Kooning, Franz Kline, Jasper Johns, and more.

William Potter, "Blue Field Red Noise," 2012. Courtesy of William Potter

Currently, an old sketchbook of mine has inspired me and the concept of abstraction. Experimenting with a new, different medium also sparks creativity. The creative process as a whole is something I really enjoy engaging in. What I have tried to advise my students to do is stay curious about what inspires them.

HERRON: In 2007, you received the Arts Council of Indianapolis' Creative Renewal Fellowship, which allowed you to travel to Germany as well as Marfa, Texas. What did you gain from the experience?

POTTER: Going to Germany let me visit the Bauhaus, an art school famous for its unique take on design. In Marfa, I got to see the work of Donald Judd. I first saw his art in the Wexner Center in Columbus, Ohio, in the 90s. I was blown away but I didn't completely understand it. The sculpture was a series of 10 metal boxes that changed subtly in color.

I have been curious about Judd's work ever since. He is described as being a minimalist artist, a form of art that focuses on essential elements of form and space. His work overlapped with sculpture, painting, design, furniture, and architecture.

Additionally, in the Marfa exhibit, there were talks by artists like Andrea Zittel and the architect David Adjaye, and the band Sonic Youth put on a free concert. But most importantly, I was able see Donald Judd's work installed the way he intended it to be. The installation of 100 cubes within converted military barracks was amazing. The polished metal cubes became almost transparent.

Donald Judd, "100 untitled works in mill aluminum," 1982-1986. Courtesy of William Potter

HERRON: Describe foundation studies at Herron. What can students gain from the courses within it?

POTTER: Foundation studies is a program for first-year students that allows them to find their niche and medium before declaring their majors. Two examples of classes I teach within the program are Drawing I and Drawing II. Drawing is often one of the classes that students feel the most nervous about. It is not uncommon for students to tell me that they have never drawn before. However, if they thought back to when they were very young, they would remember days of drawing with crayons in kindergarten.

I think the initial nervousness comes from the idea that their drawings should look like a photograph, but that is not always the case. Drawing from observation is more about learning to see things deeply and learning to translate the three-dimensional world into a two-dimensional format. Drawing is about teaching the hand and the eye to communicate with one another. I think this is a beautiful thing. That is why we have the class and that is why I am here.

Foundation studies is a collaborative space as well and fosters dialogue between the students. It's a place for them to explore. Herron has a particularly strong foundation studies program. It's difficult, but beneficial.

HERRON: Do you have any advice for students seeking a bachelor's degree in the arts?

POTTER: Your education is a gift you give yourself. It's important to honor that gift. My education gave me many opportunities, such as the studying abroad I mentioned before. Many people told me not to major in art but I decided it's what I'm doing in the moment that's important, not where I end up.

An art and design degree creates a marriage between intellect and creativity and if that appeals to you, you should pursue it.

HERRON: Lastly, we hear you're learning to play the banjo?

POTTER: With the banjo, I wanted to pick up something as a beginner. Spending as many years painting as I have, it's easy to forget that feeling. As a teacher, I think that's a good thing to do every once in a while, going through the process of learning something new. Reminding yourself of that experience is always beneficial.

Herron School of Art + Design

Five Questions with Associate Professor William Potter

Eskenazi Hall, 735 W. New York Street, Indianapolis, IN 46202