We recently connected with Veronica Winters and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Veronica, thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

The first time I sold a painting was a total surprise. I was a part-time student at Tulsa community college and participated in a show there with my watercolor painting I painted in class. I believe one of the instructors at the college bought it. It was my first $75. It felt both surreal and exciting that someone would like my work that much. It gave me hope and opportunity that I could be a real artist some day.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

When I graduated from high school in Moscow I didn’t know what to do with my life. After relocating to the U.S. introverted and without a clear direction, I chose going to art schools to fill in the gap I felt inside me. When I turned to painting in my early twenties, I’ve already had a college degree in business administration but I missed on big aspirations or plans for myself. I felt a huge disconnect between this profession and my soul. I couldn’t imagine living in some office space, performing tasks and crunching numbers. I had a different personality and a different calling. I took some art classes at a local community college for the fun of it. My immediate goal became learning how to draw realistically. Because classical art education was almost non-existent 25 years ago, I spent years learning the craft by going to various art schools. At some point I felt that I finally gained ground at representing the world faithfully in my work and I needed to turn inward more to create personal art. That’s how the artist’s personality or the painting ‘style’ emerges. I began painting stories in portraits and figures as a way to process my emotions. A lot of that art was a reflection of my search for Self and the lack of belonging. It was very difficult for me to understand who I was and what I could offer to this world. I spent years in internal search for validation or reasons to live, finding it hard to connect to anyone or anything that would provide me with meaning.
Art is a visual language that allows us to connect to ourselves emotionally regardless nationality or family upbringing. It forms a collective culture that values spiritual growth. It’s vital to find that unique link or connection to yourself to arrive at a deep state of peace and balance. I paint this powerful relationship that exists between humans and the Universe. In my current work, I want to bring feelings of joy, peace and inspiration. That’s why my paintings are a collection of imagination, realist training and divine guidance to share this amazing interconnectedness we all have with the Universe. I wish to create a more loving world without violence, judgment and fear.
As art educator I promote other talented artists via my writing and Hooked on Art podcast available on YouTube and any podcast platform you follow. I also created several video courses teaching the fundamentals of colored pencil drawing and oil painting.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

The most meaningful support for artists is the purchase of art, craft and merchandise direct from artist website or Instagram. Traditional gallery system is outdated and many artists are upset giving away 50% of profit to the gallery. Community support of artists means purchase of artists work as well as giving free opportunity for artists to show their work in the community that includes local non-profits, churches, restaurants, banks, etc. Artists often pay exuberant fees for a chance to participate in art festivals, exhibitions, events, contests. All this profit taking should stop in favor of real support of artistic community.

: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal with my art is to create a more loving world. The world is in constant state of flux. This duality of light and dark is in constant creation mode. Id like to build or contribute to the world of light with my art.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://veronicasart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veronicawintersart/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/veronicawintersartist
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-winters-24671b17
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/veronicasart