We recently connected with Dolly Whitley and have shared our conversation below.

Dolly, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

Being a creative isn’t always linked to happiness, is it? I’d say it’s more of a compulsion. There are many times when creating does make me happy, but even when it doesn’t, I’m still an artist. It’s a way of being.

That being sad, I do monetize my passion, and that can prove very challenging at times. I work a lot of hours and that doesn’t always translate into consistent income. I do look for “regular” jobs fairly often actually, because the weight of having to earn income from creativity can be soul sucking at times. There is so much behind the scenes labor that most people do not see or appreciate. I also think art is seen as a luxury when the economy is struggling. That is completely understandable but it directly impacts my ability to keep doing what I do.

Ultimately though, however I choose to earn income, I have known since I was in preschool that I was an artist and would grow up to be an artist. That desire never wavered, and I do love that I have always stayed true to myself.

The ability to think creatively and express myself through art has been a life saver, so yes, at the end of the day, I am happy to be an artist.

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.

I was earning income by the age of 10 selling my own baked goods. By the time I was in my teens I was selling my art. In my 20’s I had a variety of creative jobs in the illustration, design, and printing industry. All of these experiences set me up for owning and running my own business. I have pivoted between professional photography, graphic design, illustration, and fine art, but have been working for myself in one way or another for over 20 years. I believe all of these experiences and professions have made me better at what I do.

My art discipline is currently two-fold. On one side I run a business creating and selling greeting cards, art prints, stickers etc. to brick and mortar shops and art markets. One the other side, I create fine art for gallery showings and collectors. Some people may think there is a bit of a disconnect there, but I honestly really enjoy both. I don’t believe an artist has to hyper focus on only one thing.

Being able to diversify has allowed me to meet more people and earn more. I am proud that whether I am creating a $3000 oil portrait or a $4 sticker my work is still very true to who I am.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I was diagnosed with PTSD, and I talk pretty openly about my traumatic childhood, the longterm effects of living in and leaving a high control cult, my mental health challenges, and my ability to process pain and growth through art. I would not be where I am if I were not extremely curious and persistent, two traits very much tied to creativity.

Can you really remain an artist without being resilient? While it may appear effortless to outsiders, there is typically a great deal of failure involved in creating. Any masterpiece you have ever adored required failure. The layers of paint tell a story of patience and persistence.

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

I think sincere interaction goes a long way. Artists really appreciate genuine dialogue and feedback on their work, even if you can’t afford to purchase it. We pour our hearts into our work, then slap a price on it, and put it out into the world. It’s so meaningful to me when someone takes the time to reach out to let me know my work resonates with them. Creativity is self expression, but it’s also communication. We are trying to say something, and we want to hear back from the audience. Just like everyone else, we are looking for connection, understanding, and belonging.

Art may seem like a luxury but it’s incredibly essential for everyone’s wellbeing. I wish more people recognized that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dollywhitley.com
• Instagram: dollywhitley

Image Credits

First photo – Aaron Spicer