We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bayleigh Wynkoop a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Bayleigh , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I’ve always had this innate desire to create. Growing up, I spent countless hours studying details and trying to replicate them on paper. My art teacher in high school saw my dedication and started searching for art scholarships for me to apply for. She found the VFW National Patriotic Art Contest, and I was set on entering. I had decided to try a technique I hadn’t tried before called pointillism- creating a drawing using only dots. I decided to draw a Marine Veteran saluting to the American Flag, the dots allowed me to create the most intricate details. Little did I know the time commitment I was undertaking! I started the drawing my freshman year of high school and finally finished it two years later after over 300 hours of work. My junior year I entered my drawing “Old Glory” in the contest and after months of nervous anticipation, it won first place across the nation! I’m from a very small town in northeastern Colorado, and the response from the community was overwhelmingly supportive. I made prints of the drawing, per people’s request, and was so honored that so many people wanted my artwork in their home! That experience made me realized that my art was more than just a personal passion, it was a way of connecting with people. It was then I knew I wanted to pursue art professionally.

Bayleigh , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a small town girl from Colorado with a passion for creating, connecting with people and traveling. Growing up in a small town, there wasn’t much to do! So I had plenty of time to pursue my artistic hobbies and dream big. My art remained mostly a hobby until I finally built up the courage to pursue it professionally this past spring 2022. I am a fine artist focusing on portrait realism using pastels, charcoal, and graphite. I sell my original work as well as create custom commission artwork. Custom art can be so much more than just recreating a photo. Clients come to me with their vision and we make it a reality. Wether it’s adding a loved one to the portrait, changing the setting or the lighting, I strive to create a piece of art they will cherish.
As a people person and an artist, I knew I also wanted to find a way to pursue my art in a more interactive setting. This desire has recently evolved into becoming a live wedding artist. Using pastels, I draw a portrait of the happy couple from start to finish right before your eyes! I’m so excited to be apart of couples wedding celebration and be able to create a timeless keepsake for them.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Coming from a small town, I felt internal pressure to lower the value of my art when selling to people I knew. It can be really hard to make ends meet when you first take that leap to pursue a creative career. I had to learn how to value my work, time and talent. It’s been a battle, but I am finally feeling more comfortable valuing my art.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me the most rewarding part about being an artist, is the ability to stir something within a stranger without ever saying a word. Art is a universal language that can evoke emotion, action, or be an escape. I feel so grateful to be apart of the Artist community and create on a daily basis.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bayleighquinnart.com
• Instagram: @bayleighquinn.art

Image Credits
Lindsey Joy Photography