Bart’s desire to be an artist started when he was the age of five: While sneaking around his big brother’s bedroom he discovered drawings his brother had done of old WWII fighter-planes– He was fascinated by them. He figured he would give it a shot and started copying those drawings freehand and discovered that he not only enjoyed it but he was pretty good at it. He continued to draw… and draw… and draw. A defining moment came for Bart when, at the age of nine, his mother took him to see “Star Wars” and from that point he knew he wanted to, some how, some way, make a living creating creatures, characters, star ships, and worlds like he had seen on the big screen that fateful evening way back in 1977.

He continued on his journey, inspired by such films as “Blade Runner”, “Alien”, and the “Star Wars” sequels. Distracted at times but never defeated, Bart eventually received his Art degree and began the search for the right opportunity; film, video games, book illustration, comics– he didn’t care. He worked in a multitude of graphic art & design positions as well as a few menial jobs to keep his family fed, all the while teaching himself the art of 3D modeling and illustration — a discipline that was still in it’s infancy while he was in college. Eventually, in the Winter of 2001, he purchased a building and began the process of converting it into his studio and living space. In the spring of 2003 he officially opened the Bart Willard Art & Design Studio. As he earned a meager living through his freelance work, he continued to hone his skills as a 3D modeler and illustrator as well as developing his more down-to-earth love of sculpting, always searching for just the right opportunity. Then finally… it happened. Through a rather fortunate (and providential) chain of events he was invited to become a member of Team Kaizen.

Bart’s greatest passions: his Saviour - Jesus, his wife and children, philosophy, theology & apologetics, singing, acting, sculpture, watching movies, and the desire to one day have a story idea of his made into a film.