The official website of the 'Canvas Killer'
William Hessian. Free art hunts, exciting web comics, challenging mazes and explorative fine art.
William Hessian
Fine Art * Public Art
Resume
Phone 207 766 6204
http://williamhessian.com
william.hessian@gmail.com
Education
2000-2004 Winona State University Winona, MN
BA Studio Arts GPA 3.42
Focus in painting and sculpture. Sequences also in: printmaking, ceramics, drawing.
Exhibition Experience
Solo exhibitions
Miniature Art Hunt (butterflies), St. Louis Park, Minnesota (UPCOMING: June 2018)
Portland Public Market, Portland, Maine (October 2017)
Common Ground Fair Art Hunt, Unity, Maine (September 2017)
Miniature Art Hunt (frogs), St. Louis Park, Minnesota (June 2017)
Common Ground Fair Art Hunt, Unity, Maine (September 2016)
Miniature Art Hunt (trees), St. Louis Park, Minnesota (June 2016)
Buffalo Art Hunt #8, art in the community, Jamestown, ND (May 2015)
Miniature Art Hunt (shells), St. Louis Park, Minnesota (June 2015)
Miniature Art Hunt (fish), Commonground Fair, Unity, Maine (August 2014)
Miniature Art Hunt (fish), Portland, Maine (June 2014)
Miniature Art Hunt (fish), St. Louis Park, Minnesota (June 2014)
Miniature Art Hunt (golden halloween), Costa Mesa, CA (October 2013)
Miniature Art Hunt (turtles), St. Louis Park, MN (May 2013)
Miniature Art Hunt (chubby creatures), Northville, MI (June 2012)
Miniature Art Hunt (bunnies), St. Louis Park, MN (May 2012)
Buffalo Art Hunt #7, art in the community, Jamestown, ND (May 2012)
Solo Display, Red Raven Coffee House, Fargo, ND(2012)
Canvas Kill Live, Sample night Live, St. Paul History Theatre, visual art performance, St. Paul, MN (December 7th, 2011)
Miniature Art Hunt (costa mesa), Costa Mesa, CA (October 2011)
Canvas Kill Live, Sample night Live, St. Paul History Theatre, visual art performance, St. Paul, MN (Sept 7th, 2011)
Buffalo Art Hunt #6, art in the community, Jamestown, ND (2011)
Miniature Art Hunt (chubby creatures), Northville, MI (June 2011)
Miniature Art Hunt (bunnies), St. Louis Park, MN (June 2011)
Miniature Art Hunt (phoenix), Portland, ME (May 2011)
First Friday Art Walk, Meg Perry Center, Portland, ME (May 2011)
First Friday Art Walk, Meg Perry Center, Portland, ME (April 2011)
First Friday Art Walk, Meg Perry Center, Portland, ME (March 2011)
Parktacular miniature artwork hunt 2010, art in the community, St. Louis Park, MN (2010)
Bird Art Hunt, art in the community, Jamestown, ND (2010)
Canvas Kill Live, Sample night Live, St. Paul History Theatre, viusal art performance, St. Paul, MN (2010)
Miniature Art Hunt, Sample night Live, St. Paul History Theatre, visual art performance, St. Paul, MN (2010)
Parktacular miniature artwork hunt 2009, art in the community, St. Louis Park, MN (2009)
Buffalo Art Hunt #4, art in the community, Jamestown, ND (2009)
100 miniature animals, Jamestown Art Center, Jamestown, ND (2009)
Pizza Luce, downtown Minneapolis, MN (November/ December 2008)
Bearded Bunnies, Dunn Bros., Minneapolis, MN (November 2008)
Miniature Art Hunt (octopus), Minneapolis, MN (October 2008)
Miniature Art Hunt (mustang), Costa Mesa High School, CA (June 2008)
Miniature Art Hunt (tortoise), Salt Lake City, UT (June 2008)
Miniature Art Hunt (sea crabs), Costa Mesa, CA (June 2008)
Miniature Art Hunt (squirrels), Portland, OR (June 2008)
Miniature Art Hunt (trout), Billings, MT (June 2008)
Buffalo Art Hunt #3, art in the community, Jamestown, ND (2008)
Parktacular miniature artwork hunt 2008, art in the community, St. Louis Park, MN (2008)
ICON series, Ed's Bar, Winona, MN (2007)
Buffalo Art Hunt #2, art in the community, Jamestown, ND (2007)
Parktacular miniature artwork hunt, art in the community, St. Louis Park, MN (2007)
The work of William Hessian, Minnetonka, MN (2007)
Buffalo Art Hunt, art in the community, Jamestown, ND (2006)
Bearded Bunnies, One Half Gallery (suitcase location), travelling show (2006)
FAREWELL, One Half Gallery, St. Louis Park, MN (2006)
Two person shows
Masked Hornets and other Oddities, Oak Street Lofts, Portland, ME (2012)
TWO BOXES (Billy Vs Matt 13), Red Hot Arts Festival, Steven's Square Park, Minneapolis, MN (2009)
Portrait WAR (Billy Vs Matt 12), Red Hot Arts Festival, Steven's Square Park, Minneapolis, MN (2009)
Sledding Art Battle (Billy Vs Matt 11), Kenwood Park, Minneapolis, MN (2009)
10 foot Ax (Billy vs Matt 10), Stevens Square Park, Minneapolis, MN (2008)
Dining with Dvorak (Billy Vs Matt 6), Blue Heron Coffeehouse, Winona, MN (2007)
The Politics of Plants, Billy Vs Matt 5, Bhakti Gallery, Hopkins, Minnesota (2007)
din din for two, Semke Vs Hessian (round three), UWGB Gallery 417, Green Bay, WI (2006)
JILLY: the art show, One Half Gallery, St. Louis Park, MN (2006)
Semke Vs Hessian:Round Two, UWGB Gallery 417, Green Bay, WI (2005)
Animals and Undulate, One Half Gallery, St Louis Park, MN (2005)
Billy Vs Matt (WSU Select Show), Max Weber Gallery, Winona, MN (2004)
Lutheran Church, St Louis Park, MN (2003)
Group shows
Kung Fu Art Show, Hidden Ladder, Porltand, ME (2017)
YELLOW, USM Members Show, CTN Channel 5, Portland, ME (2015)
10 Years Later, Oak Street Lofts, Portland, ME (Also Curated) (2015)
Dr. Goodweather's Dreaming Attic, Mayo Street Arts, Portland, ME (2014)
PIECE WORK with Rahul Mitra, Portland Museum of Art, Portland, ME (2013)
Secret City of Absent Sane, Meg Perry Center, Portland, ME (2013)
45 Years of NO, Meg Perry Center, Portland, ME (2013)
Hidden Ladder LOCK-IN, Meg Perry Center, Portland, ME (2013)
CARDBOARD MONSTER, Meg Perry Center, Portland, ME (2013)
Creatures and Critters III: Equine and Avian Art, Richard Boyd Gallery, Peak's Island, ME (2013)
OFF THE WALLS: Satire in Contemporary American Art, Richard Boyd Gallery, Peak's Island, ME (2013)
PORTAL TO, Meg Perry Center, Portland, ME (2013)
Monsters & Creatures Show, Peloton Labs, Portland, ME (2013)
Collaboration Show, Local Sprouts, Portland, ME (2013)
10 Minute Showcase, Meg Perry Center, Portland, ME (2013)
Sensory Circus, Meg Perry Center, Portland, ME (2013)
Rip & Tear: Experimental Drawing Exhibition, Meg Perry Center, Portland, ME (2012)
Canvas Kill Live, Bombshelter, Brunswick, ME (2012)
Introduction to Robbyism, Meg Perry Center, Portland, ME (2012)
Canvas Kill Live, Maple Edge Center, Topsham, ME (2012)
Home and Garden Art Instructor, Jamestown Civic Center, Jamestown, ND (2012)
Art Show, Minnehaha Free Space, Minneapolis, MN (2012)
Erotic Art Show, Red Raven Coffee House, Fargo, ND(2012)
Illustration submission, Brown Mega Art Newsletter (2011)
Gallery Night, Pudding Factory, Hobokon, New Jersey (May 2011)
Classic Monsters, Sanctuary Tattoo, Portland ME (2011)
Fun a Day, Apohadian Theater, Portland, ME (2011)
History of Activism in Portland, Meg Perry Center, Portland, ME (2011)
Christmas Craft Fair, Mount View High School, Unity, Maine (2010)
Maine Draw-A-Thon II, Space Gallery, Portland, Maine (2010)
International Music Camp Faculty Showcase, International Peace Garden, North Dakota/Canada border(2010)
Miniatures: the little picture show, Custer County Heritage Center, Miles City, MT (2009)
JFAA Annual Show, Jamestown Art Center, Jamestown, ND (2009)
Resident Artists V, Altered Esthetics, Minneapolis, MN (2009)
It's Yours Take It, Seattle, WA (2009)
Art O Mat, cigarette machine vends, 18 US states (2007-2010)
Art to Heart Benefit, Wrightsville Street, NC (2008)
Alice Project, Stevens Square Art Center, Minneapolis, MN (2008)
BYOA Party (bring your own art) Billy and the Old Man Design, Minnetonka, MN (2008)
Labor Room (Billy Vs Matt 9: 10 foot paint brushes), Adventure Festival, Mpls, MN (2008)
Red Hot Art Festival(Billy Vs Matt 8: Dinos Vs Cavemen),Stevens Square Park , Mpls, MN (2008)
Marx's Wine Bar, Bearded Bunny Collection, Stillwater, MN (2008)
Out Like a Lion, Argente Photography, Mpls, MN (2008)
Drawings from Our Past, Winona State University, Select Alumni Show, Max Weber Gallery, Winona, MN (2007)
Billy and the Old Man Grand Opening, Minnetonka, MN (2007)
The Sacred Feminine, Bhakti Gallery, Hopkins, Minnesota (2007)
Labor Room (Billy Vs Matt 7: Monster Ax Battle), Adventure Festival, Mpls, MN (2007)
WSU graduate exhibition, Winona, MN (2006)
Labor Room (Billy Vs Matt 4: The Fight for Free Energy), Adventure Festival, Mpls, MN (2006)
Altered Esthetics resident artists show, Mlps MN (2006)
James T Kirkpatrick Gallery, Jamestown ND (2005, 2006, 2008)
Rip & Tear: Experimental Drawing Exhibition, One Half Gallery, MN (2005)
Animals, Altered Esthetics, Mlps, MN (2005)
The Art of Tragedy, Altered Esthetics, Mlps, MN (2005)
Newell Hill Music Foundation, Weisman museum, Mlps, MN (2004)
Winona Arts Festival, Winona, MN (2004)
Level_13 Show, Altered Aesthetics, Mlps, MN (2004)
Gallery 500, Hopkins Art Center, Hopkins, MN (2004)
Jordan Art Festival, Jordan, MN (2004, juried)
Friends of the Arts Community Art Show, St. Louis Park, MN (2004, juried)
Distinctions, Senior Art Show, Winona State University, MN (2004)
Black Horse Painting Show, Lacrosse, MN (2004, three person)
Advanced Sculpture Show, Watkins Gallery, Winona, MN (2004)
Featured Artwork on "What can Winona do for you" Promotional CD (2003)
WSU International Dinner Backdrop Commission (2002 and 2004)
Rochester Art Center, Rochester, MN (2002)
Awards received
Nominated for Best Visual Artist in Portland, Maine by Portland Phoenix (2014)
Hidden Ladder Collective Best Producer Award, CTN 5, Portland, ME (2013)
Visual Artist Instructor at International Band Camp (2010, 2011)
Visiting artist at Vessey Academy (2008)
Artist-in-Residence, Jamestown Art Center, ND (2005 - 2012)
Featured Artist, artfina.com (2005-current)
Artist of the Month, thelamp.com (July, 2005)
The College of Liberal Arts of WSU: Acknowledgement of special contribution (2004)
Make-A-Movie Contest: (Best Storyline: 1st Place) 2004
Winona Art Department Foundation Scholarship (2003-2004)
NCAA All Academic Cross Country Team (2001-2003)
Max Weber Fine Art Scholarship (2001-2004)
Professional experience
TED X Talk (2017)
Climbing your Hidden Ladder
Humboldt Bay TED X presentation.
Album Cover Artist (2016-current)
Designed and iullustrated cover art for Cadaverette, The Gothic Croutons and Lacuna.
Board Member (2014 - current)
Union of Maine Visual Artists
Became a board member in 2014 and re-started and became the chair of the Portland Area branch.
Owner, Illustrator, Graphic Designer (2014 - current)
Hidden Ladder Games
Portland, Maine
Started a board game company. Designed, developed, illustrated, and did graphic design for PBL ROBOTS card & dice game.
Founding Member (2013 - current)
Portland, Maine
Artist in multiple disciplines that create art shows, cross country art tours, music shows, street art and interactive events, classes and performances. Curated the Meg Perry Center art shows and Turnstyle Thursdays from 2012-2013.
Visual Art Instructor (2013 - current)
River Tree Arts
Kennebunk, Maine
Star Wars drawing class, Super Hero drawing class, Engineering and Comic Book Art Class for kids 3rd through 6th grades.
Group Member (2013)
Creative Community Coalition
Portland, Maine
A community driven group to protect the creative community of Portland from laws and regulations trying to limit the freedom of street artists, and performers. The group meets monthly, and attends city council meetings regularly.
Visual Art Instructor (2010, 2011)
International Band Camp
International Peace Garden, ND/Canada border
Designed a week long curriculum and taught it to middle school students. The included a variety of fundamentals, developing techniques, and hanging/displaying finished work
Youth Enrichment League Instructor (2008-2011)
Youth Enrichment League
Hennepin County, MN
Teach ceramics/woodworking/legos programs to K-6 students
Jamestown Artist in Residence (2005-current)
Artist in Residence / Art Instructor (k-middle school)
Jamestown,ND
Teaching arts in the schools (6th, 5th, 4th, 3rd, 2nd, kindergarden, art after school & middle school ages; classes ranging in drawing, comic/story/comic/flip book, painting and ceramics and teaching a variety of adult art classes)
Billy and the Old Man Design(2005-2009)
Airbrush Artist
Minnetonka, MN
Automotive airbrushing for motorcycles, helmets, and more.
Young Rembrandts Instructor (2005-2006)
Young Rembrandts
Hennepin County, MN
Teach after school drawing programs to K-6 students
Gallery Curator/ Owner (2005-2009)
One Half Gallery (apartment & suitcase locations)
St. Louis Park, MN
Opened a short term gallery, for small local art shows. Shows ran every two months, until moving locations into a suitcase.
Illustrator (2003)
Bluff County Co Op
Winona, MN
Drew 30 illustrations for a cookbook, including the cover.
WSU Art Club Secretary (2001-2004)
WSU Art Club
Winona, MN
Run Art Sales, plan art club trips, do community work, judge student art shows, make signs and advertisements.
Studio Assistant (2002-2003)
Clay Aydlett Clay
Winona, MN
Cast molds, under glazing, hand building
Publications
West End News, 3 cartoons published (2014-2015) Lepage, Bees and Congress Square
Pro Bionics League ROBOTS card game (2014)
Union of Maine Visual Artists Online Magazine, Issues April, May, Winter (2014- current)
Silk Chains Issues #26-34 (2008-2013)
King of the Pill: daily web comic: 365 panels (2012)
A Thick River Productions: Aporia Productions(2011)
Cat Hole: zine (2011)
Keyholes & Cages: zine collection (2011)
Brown Mega Cooperation Art Newsletter: submission (2011)
Skewer: clever poetry (2010)
William Hessian Webcomic: 100 comics (2010)
Master Kroy: 24 comic (2009)
Keyholes & Cages: zine collection (2011)
Press
Hidden Ladder Games Press (see www.robotcardgame.com)
Portland Phoenix Best Of (2014)
Portland Press Harold (Monthly 2012-2013)
Sun Sailor- front page (June 2013)
Sun Sailor- front page (June 2010)
Jamestown Sun (June 2010)
Radio Interview- KFAI radio about Canvas Kill Live (2010, 2011)
City Pages- Blurb about the Red Hot Arts Festival (July 2009)
Interviewed on Make Money from my Art (2009)
Interviewed on Vox Pod podcast (2009)
Costa Mesa's Daily Pilot (August 2008)
Salt Lake Tribune- (July 2008)
Costa Mesa's Daily Pilot (July 2008)
KATU Portland- (July 2008)
Billings Gazette (June 2008)
Jamestown Sun (June 2008)
Sun Sailor (May 2008)
Wallstreet Journal- (September 2007)
Jamestown Sun (June 2007)
Sun Sailor (Summer 2007)
Professional memberships
Artist to Artist(workshop), Fargo, ND
Friends of the Arts (board member since October 2005), St. Louis Park, MN
Jamestown Art Center, Jamestown, ND
Winona Arts Center, Winona, MN
Split Rock, Duluth, MN
Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA)
Volunteer experience
Curator of the Meg Perry Center (2012-current)
Weekly Art Group (minnehaha free space)
Bring Our War Dollars Home
Peace Action Maine Youth Network
Peace Action Maine
Maine Draw A Thon (art/posters/canvassing)
Union of Maine Visual Artists
Code Pink
We Are Change
Pet Haven (blogging, art donations)
Visiting artist at Vessey Academy (art lessons)
Articulture (art donation)
Art to Heart (art donation)
Wisconsin Public Schools (art donation)
Hopkins Art Center (hanging art show)
Altered Esthetics (hanging art show)
Winona Arts Center (gallery sitting, hanging artwork)
Friends of the Arts (promoting art and solving artist problems in the community)
References available upon request