Life’s journey for Will Portis has taken him in many different directions with his extraordinary artistic skills always painting the way. 

Born on February 3, 1949, in Akron, Ohio, his career as an artist spanning more than 50 years has included working for Goodrich Tire Company as a teenager, creating murals for the City of Fresno and Central Unified School District, and painting more than 5,000 portraits, landscapes and various other pieces of art. 

“My artwork has always guided me to where I needed to take a step forward in life,” he says. “I wasn’t just a portrait artist. I wasn’t just a sign artist or a mural artist. I have been able to do all facets of art.”

His artistic prowess surfaced while in elementary school in Ohio. “Teachers would have me do all kinds of art assignments. I began to realize I was pretty good,” he says modestly.

With encouragement and recommendations of teachers and administrators, he attended Hower Vocational High School in Akron where his talents blossomed.

By his senior year, Will was receiving on the job training working on displays and painting lettering on tires and signs for Goodrich. “Hower prepared me for any type of artwork I wanted to do.”

He freelanced for about a year after high school making signs and painting portraits, landscapes, and seascapes, many on murals ceilings and walls. 

“If someone wanted a scene from Italy or New England over the mantle, I would create it,” he says.

Will attended the University of Akron majoring in fine arts in his early 20’s. He left school after three years to join Teppan Stove Company, working in the graphic and printing department designing owner’s guides and cookbooks – another step in Wills career growth and his life path.

In 1979, he came to California at age 32, initially living with a relative in Atwater in Merced County. Will says of his move west from Ohio, “I didn’t like the cold weather of Ohio and I wanted a more diverse environment. The art world was flourishing here, and the opportunities were much better.”

He made his way to Fresno shortly thereafter when a travel agency commissioned him to paint a mural. That led him to a mural project at Frank H. Ball Park for the City of Fresno, and then later to the city, hiring him as an arts and crafts specialist working with children.

Over the years he has done extensive artwork with Central Unified School District, painting murals and school mascots, and lettering about 90 buses.

He earned his bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies and master’s degree in institutional leadership in the early 90’s. During that time, he was hired as facilities manager and transportation director for West Fresno School District. He retired in 2004.

He now offers private instructions and teaches art part time at Big Picture High School, a charter school in southwest Fresno.  He relishes working with young minds and emphasizing the role that art plays in the development of students.

He has partnered with EECU’s Van Ness branch downtown Fresno to exhibit his work and the artwork of students.

Will was inducted into the International Educators Hall of Fame in 2013; received the Horizon Award from the Fresno Arts Council in 2009; and a Paul Harris Fellow Award through Rotary International in 2015.

His studio and gallery (www.willportis.com) in southwest Fresno are filled with the wide range of artwork he has created over the years. He describes his style as natural realism - capturing people and landscapes as they are - and abstract realism - combining real subjects and abstract imagery.

His work is on display throughout Fresno – Including several portraits in the EECU Van Ness branch - and in states such as California, Kentucky, Mississippi, Texas, and Ohio and abroad in Germany, Italy, France, Mexico, India, and Philippines.

Will derives great pleasure and satisfaction knowing that people appreciate his talents and contributions to the world of art. 

“It’s always glorifying and fulfilling.  It’s a lifeline.  It’s my spirit. It’s not a job but rather my life’s work.”