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By Ainsley Weems | ���Ҵ�ýapp Communication Student Class of 2026 

At Mississippi State’s ���Ҵ�ýapp, William “Donovan” Weathers II discovered how to merge his love of digital media with the discipline of painting. Originally drawn to art through technology and the digital visuals of early 2000s culture, he entered ���Ҵ�ýapp eager to strengthen his foundation in painting. Immersed in a community of artists and mentors, he developed a confident creative methodology that bridges traditional and digital worlds. 

Today, Weathers creates mixed media works that explore nostalgia, memory, and impermanence, blending CGI-inspired visuals with painting techniques to re-contextualize moments from the past. His creative process begins digitally, using early CGI software before transferring and finishing each piece on canvas. 

When it came to painting the mural at Pita Pit’s Starkville location, he teamed up with fellow Department of Art graduate Brad James Jr., class of 2023. Weathers said they decided to divide and conquer the project based on their strengths, with Weathers focusing on architecture and landscapes and James specializing in figures. The mural, “Greek Life at Pita Pit,” took about 2 months to complete, with the artists working outside store hours.  

From murals to multimedia projects, Weathers embraces risk and experimentation. “A creative practice can be applied to anything,” he says. “It’s about approaching problem-solving with originality and an open mind.”