Artist ~ William Schaff ~ Providence

Artist’s name: William Schaff
Shop name: I don't have a physical shop. I do have a studio, though, in my house. The whole building has been dubbed Fort Foreclosure.
Website: www.williamschaff.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/william.schaff.1/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/williamschaff/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/williamschaff/

1. Tell us about your work

William Schaff has been a working artist for over two decades.  Known primarily for his mastery at album artwork, (Okkervil River, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Songs: Ohia, etc.) Schaff is also the founder of Warren Rhode Island's "Fort Foreclosure". The building, lovingly named without the least bit of irony, serves as Schaff's home and studio as well as  home and meeting place for  other artists (most notably resident musicians MorganEve Swain, and the Late David Lamb, both of Brown Bird).  William, recognizing the importance of art in this world, recently expanded his community to the West Coast, where he started "The Outpost", in Oakland, California. There --   financial earnings be damned! -- William filled his days creating works of art for private commissions, bands, exhibitions  and his own examinations of human interaction. He has since returned to Rhode Island and can be found, daily, doing the same at the Fort.

2. Is there a story behind the name of your business?
My "business" doesn't have a name. As for my studio/ home being called "Fort Foreclosure", in my years of making a living as an artist, my home has been foreclosed on 4 times. Thus, it has gathered the nickname, "Fort Foreclosure".

3. How did you come to be a professional artist?
By never giving up, even when it would have made more sense to.

4. Where do you draw your inspiration?

From all around me, from the past and the present, from music, from the Bible, from religions all around the globe.

5. I really dig your "Molina Map." Can you tell us more about it?
Back in January of 2013, I received a message from a friend of Jason’s, Tara Samaha. Like so many of us were, she was concerned. She was concerned for his safety, mental and physical health after receiving an alarming email. She felt he needed a map to help him through these troubled times and then asked that I make him one. I did. Sadly we were never able to land a concrete address for Jason, where we knew he would get the map. I know that he had lost things important to him over the past few years, for various reasons, so I wanted to be sure this got into his hands, and no one else. That said — sadly — the map was never delivered to him.

Upon learning of his death, the map sat in my studio; it felt cold, and now useless. A guide made for a friend who can no longer see it.

Ryan Graveface and I thought of how, thanks to folks like you, we were able to raise a considerable amount of money for Jason’s medical bills through sales of the book, From Black Sheep Boys to Bill Collectors. We thought maybe there is still a way for this map to be useful. Not as it was originally intended, a map for one man, but as tool to commemorate this man, and continue to help his family, especially in such dark times as these. 100% of the profits from the original screen print went to Jason Molina’s family. We now had a chance to give back to the family that gave us Jason, who in turn gave us all so much.

6. What’s your favorite item to create?

I feel I am at my strongest when drawing, as it was the majority of what I spent my time studying in school. That said, I do enjoy working in many different mediums.

7. What’s your best seller?
As I mass produce very few items, I don't really have a "best seller". I am thankful that my clientele, and those who approach me, allow me to create work for them in a variety of mediums.

8. How long have you been in Rhode Island?
Since 1997

9. What do you {heart} about Rhode Island?

When I first moved here, Rhode Island was much more affordable. People didn't move here to "make it", but instead to be able to make art and experiment. As a result there was so much beautiful art being made, untainted by "what sells". While that affordability is no longer there, I am still taken with the amount of artists willing to try things, rather than just make what fashion dictates might sell.

10. Favorite place to take out-of-towners?
Jack's Bar, Warren, RI

11. Any advice for new/wannabe makers?
Don't give up. If you are going to try to make a life of this, you make it your life!