Artist Feature: Will Bertram

In this month’s artist feature, we celebrate the unique talents and creative journey of local artist Will Bertram.  Known throughout the Island for his standout designs, Will’s unique art style has been used in two Jersey Post stamp issues. We recently spoke with Will to find out more about his artistic journey.  

A Career In The Making 

Will Bertram discovered a passion for art from an early age, and told us: “I was always creative in some way, painting and making models as a child and enjoying art at GCSE and A-level, but it always felt like an unattainable option. It was only when I left school and started working I realised I was craving creativity and really got the drive to pursue art. Once I started learning more about art and figuring out what I liked and didn’t like it very quickly became a passion.” 

To progress his career as an artist, Will took a part-time degree in Highlands, Jersey and finished the degree at the Bristol School of Art. Prior to completing his degree, Will established himself as a local artist by saying yes to every exhibition, project, or commission that came his way while filling out his sketchbooks. He also gained work experience through a local cartoonist, leading Will to also seek out work in an independent art shop, that helped him gain connections and meet with other artists within the community.

Signature Style and Themes

In terms of his process, Will says: “I like to approach everything I do with the words ‘serious joy’ in mind. For art I think that means enjoying the potential struggle, taking joy in the process and treating even the silliest drawing with a level of seriousness. It came from sea swimming throughout the year and the joy it brings even when the weather is at it’s most bitter.”

Having worked on array of artistic projects, including shopfront murals, stamps, charity projects and prints, Will noted that he tends to change the influences for his style on certain projects based on world events and current interests outside of art and pop culture.

Currently, his interest has been taken in styles found in Japanese woodblocks and yukio-e art, the everyday scenes of Flemish peasants by Pieter Breugel and more contemporary influences such as folk history photographer Charles Freger, Marcel Dzama and the work of Studio Ghibli.

Working With Jersey Post 

Currently, Will has proudly worked on two stamp issues for Jersey Post. One being the ‘What does Christmas mean to you?’ 2023 Christmas issue, specifically the 60p stamp, which illustrates a Christmas day swim at Harve Des Pas. While the second issue was July’s ‘Debussy in Jersey’, which illustrated French Composer Claude Debussy’s visit to the Island in 1904.

When asked about the issue, Will said: “This issue about Debussy’s time in Jersey has felt hugely rewarding, being able to celebrate some of my favourite locations in a new way, considering Jersey at the time Debussy visited as well as bringing my own influences and stylistic language into the designs. 

So far it’s been a joy, but the scale is definitely something to get used to. I’m so used to indulging in details so it’s an interesting challenge having to minimise some of the texture and details whilst still trying to maximise the effectiveness of the design”.

Debussy in Jersey

Issued on Thursday 25^th July 2024, ‘Debussy in Jersey’, features a set of six stamps, a miniature sheet and a souvenir sheetlet. Available with additional stamp products such as presentation packs, first day covers and sheets of 10, the issue has been illustrated to incorporate various music compositions written by Debussy and takes inspiration from Japanese woodprints, as Debussy was known to be a fan of the art style.

You can purchase the issue via our online store here.