Wesley Willis Art:

Right now over at Ebay is a very early, high quality

Wesley Willis drawing up for sale by markitectura60608. Dated 1986, It is a very good early example of the attention to detail (note the building rooftops in background) that characterized his pre-rock star art. The water cascade is so airy and true. This is obviously plein aire stuff.

Wesley Willis “Buckingham Fountain” pen and ink drawing

Here's his item description, which tells alot about Wesley's history and shows he was making art long before the Wikipedia entry say he was (says "early 90s", but he was out & about long before that):

Rock icon, Visionary outsider artist, beat poet, crazed lunatic, just a nice guy! Wesley Willis was all this to many people at different times. To me he was a skinny young kid (yes he was skinny then) who would hang out IIT’s Crown Hall chatting the architecture student and staff who would often give him slightly damaged board that he would draw drawings like this one on. This unframed work from 1986 (long before the rock icon years) is a ball point pen on board entitled “Buckingham Fountain” measuring 42”wide x 28” high. In his characteristic erratic but meticulous style Wesley has captured the fountain with the 1986 Chicago skyline beyond in perspective with a surprising level sophistication and attention to detail. It’s not as dynamic as his highway overpass scenes but I was so impressed by the proportions and his perspective ability that I gladly accepted his offer to sell it to me.

The work is offered for sale as is, unframed. It is in good condition but has the characteristic bent corners from his carrying such large works around in a plastic bag. (The blank boards were probably given to him for that very reason. I hope that someone familiar with his spoken word or lyrics will appreciate this other side of him genius or someone already familiar with his artistic talent will want to add this wonderful work to their collection.

Here's more pics from ebay, republished with permission. (btw I do not know the seller, I am just trying to be more proactive in capturing images of Wesley Willis art on the internet, add my thoughts to them, and see what happens when I use the Ebay Affiliates program). He does seem to be the real deal, though-- his story rings true. Plus, he knew Lee Godie, too!

Lee Godie original drawing "Pretty French Valuable"