By Doug D. Sims
On Thursday, June 13, 2025, from 5 to 8 p.m., Muse GR came alive with color, conversation, and community during the opening reception of Bloodlines & Brushstrokes, a powerful art exhibit created by father-son duo Joey Williams and DeAnthony Carter. Located at 727 Leonard St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, the gallery welcomed guests into a multi-sensory experience, complete with a vibrant soundtrack curated by DJ Mellow and the warm hospitality of gallery owner Stephen Smith.
Inside, the walls pulsed with more than just pigment and texture—they echoed with legacy. Bloodlines & Brushstrokes is more than a title; it’s a declaration of artistic lineage, emotional resonance, and generational conversation shared through paint.
Joey Williams explained how the title came to life: “It started with just trying to come up with something catchy,” he said. “But it grew into something deeper—about family, about creating together, and letting people see who we are and what we love.”
For Williams and Carter, the collaboration is rooted in daily connection. “Every morning, we talk art,” said Williams. “We talk about what to paint, how to paint, what inspires us. Then we each go do our thing, and we come back and share. That’s the rhythm.”
While they work closely, their voices on canvas remain distinct. “People say we look and sound alike,” Joey joked, “but our painting styles are definitely different. We might use some of the same tools, but how we use them? That’s all personal.” The result is a unified yet varied exhibit—one rooted in shared history but expressed through individual perspectives.
One standout for Joey was a piece titled Madonna and Child, which evolved significantly during its creation. “I went back to my airbrushing roots to lay the foundation, then built over it with acrylics and oils. It feels different from everything else in the show—like a nod to where I began.”
Though not overtly political, the show carries undeniable cultural and spiritual undertones. “Some pieces reflect our upbringing—our roots,” Williams shared. “There’s storytelling in each one. Some spiritual themes, some from back in the day. It’s subtle, but it’s there.”
When asked what message they hope Black youth and aspiring artists take from the show, Williams was clear: “If you want to paint—paint. We’re not just preparing kids for jobs anymore. We’re raising entrepreneurs. If you’re committed and take it seriously, you can build something real from this.”
Carter hopes Bloodlines & Brushstrokes inspires more than just artists. “It’s really about presence,” he said. “This collaboration between me and my dad—it’s something we’ve talked about for a long time. And now it’s real. I hope other fathers and sons, especially in Black families, see that and start creating their own bonds.”
While the title of the show may stand alone, the work continues. The two are already developing their next project, with hints at a new direction that will further push their creative boundaries.
To follow their journey, you can find DeAnthony Carter on Instagram at @deantcarter and on Facebook. Joey Williams is active on Facebook and, as he jokingly put it, “still figuring out the rest.”
Before wrapping up, the artists offered a warm invitation to the community. “Come experience it,” Williams said. “Every piece has a story—some funny, some serious. When we paint, it’s just like writing poetry. The canvas is our voice.”
And in every layered stroke, every shared moment, Bloodlines & Brushstrokes delivers on its name—honoring the past, celebrating the present, and shaping a future through art, together.
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