VIDEO/TV
TED x CU
Finding Creativity in the Chaos
Will Day’s art—like his personality—is bold. His use of large-scale canvases, rich textures, and multiple layers create a style that is as captivating as it is authentic. Limits have no place in the Will Day Art Studio. Self-taught and constantly evolving, Will puts a contemporary spin on the impressionistic tradition. His work is free flowing and gestural, emotional and timeless. It’s a whole-hearted pursuit that involves nontraditional tools and a variety of settings: outside, inside, on the floor, on the wall.
Whether commissioned by the NFL or a private collector, Will’s unconventional background and worldview shine through every piece he creates. A native New Yorker, Will lives in Boulder, Colorado with his wife and two kids. His art is featured in public and private collections across the world, from London to Rio de Janeiro to Hong Kong. In addition to his TEDxCU talk, Will’s speaking engagements have ranged from corporate fundraisers to a commencement address. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.
Denver Broncos
Peyton Manning Painting
In this debut episode of the Denver Broncos' original series 4 Quarters, step behind the scenes with Boulder artist Will Day as he collaborates with legendary NFL quarterback Peyton Manning. Commissioned to capture Manning’s iconic presence at the line of scrimmage, Day met with the Hall-of-Famer to translate the high-stakes feeling of "controlled chaos," roaring crowds, and split-second audible decisions into a monumental 8-by-7-foot abstract canvas titled Omaha. This video offers a rare look at two masters of their respective crafts uniting sport and fine art, culminating in a piece that now permanently resides on the club level at Mile High Stadium.
PODCASTS
How to Create in Times of disruption
The Bear Roars- How to Create in Times of Disruption
In this episode of The Bear Roars, Dan sits down with Boulder artist Will Day, whose unlikely path from architecture to painting began in the middle of the 2008 financial collapse.
Will talks about losing his job, moving his family to Boulder, and slowly building an art practice from a basement with no roadmap and no guarantee it would work. He shares the early challenges—financial strain, uncertainty at home, and the pressure of trying to build a creative career while raising two young kids.
Dan and Will discuss how Boulder shaped his development as an artist, why Black Lab Studios became the right environment for his work, and what it means to create during times of disruption. Will breaks down his process of painting on raw canvas, working across multiple pieces at once, and allowing intuition rather than rigid planning to guide each piece.
The conversation also touches on Boulder’s evolving arts scene, the impact of events like the Sundance Film Festival and Boulder Roots Music Fest, and the role of community in helping local artists gain visibility.
How to Use Creativity as a Leader
Most leaders think of creativity as something exclusive to artists, but it’s actually a skill leaders can learn to master. Just like art, leadership requires taking risks, challenging assumptions, and building what doesn’t exist yet. If you’re ready to stop playing it safe and start making a real impact, it’s time to unleash your creative edge.
In this episode of the HAPPINESS SQUAD Podcast, Ashish Kothari and Will Day, award-winning abstract painter-artist, break down exactly how to turn creativity into your biggest leadership advantage.
10 Seconds to Air
When we think of communicating, we usually think of the spoken word. But what about Art?
Art can express feelings and ideas that we can’t verbalize.
Contemplating a painting or sculpture, or attending a dance recital can make us feel happy or sad—or both at the same time. It can open our senses and bring us to places we don’t have words to express.
My guest today is American Artist Will Day, known for his large-scale paintings and bold strokes.
Letting Go of Expectations
to Discover Your True Calling
Will Day went from Wall Street to painter in pursuit of unbottling his curiosity and creative freedom.
Following the terrorist attacks of 9/11, when Will's wife survived the collapse of the World Trade Towers, he decided to leave his career in finance. Listen to Will's philosophy on how to let go of expectations and discover your true calling.
