Living for the City
by Kevin A. Williams (Wak)

This painting is inspired by Stevie Wonder's 1973 hit single 'Living For The City' from his 'Innervisions' album.

A fly, Stevie Wonder walks down a snow covered street in Detroit's inner city on a cold Winter day in 1973 wearing a hunter green, leather, newsboy cap with large, framed, sunglasses tinted in the same green. His cap is adorned with gold plated headphones filling his ears with the melody of his next hit.

Stevie is draped in a gray, full-length, fur coat over a winter white, glen, plaid, suit with a burnt orange, turtleneck sweater underneath. He tops it off with a solid gold, medallion necklace that clanks as he struts towards the neighborhood, music shop for an impromptu appearance.

A memory forever ingrained in the hearts and minds of those that were blessed to be there.

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About the Artist

Kevin A. Williams better known by the art moniker WAK, his initials backwards, is an American painter and businessman from Chicago’s Southside. He is one of the most celebrated figurative storytellers of this era with his collection of paintings being the most widely circulated urban fine art series in the world.

At the age of 15, Kevin A. Williams started working as an artist, on Chicago’s Historic East 87th Street Black Business District, drawing and painting images for clothing boutiques and hair salons. At 19, he became a cosmetology illustrator for Soft Sheen hair products which eventually led to a commission from Alberto Culver USA, to create "Standing Appointment" which depicts 4 women under hair dryers, for their Motions hair care line. It is regarded the most popular art image in the history of the hair care industry.

While developing his fine art line, Williams worked exclusively with the late Actor / Comedian Bernie Mac as his personal artist for over 15 years, creating over 20 original paintings, including a very important piece commissioned by the Actor/Comedian as a gift for Oprah Winfrey. The piece titled “Anointed Gift” was unveiled on Oprah’s televised 50th birthday celebration, and was regarded by her as “the most amazing gift”. This amazing gift currently hangs in the lobby of Winfrey’s Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa.

Kevin currently resides in Atlanta, GA.

IG: @artbywak

www.artbywak.com