Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gloria Aitken. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Gloria thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I have been an artist my entire life, but the drive to turn it into a profession really started after my first daughter was born. I was looking for a way to contribute a little, financially, while being a full time stay at home mom. I knew it had to be something I enjoyed and I already spent all of my free time on creative projects. I had never considered my talents to be a viable option for a profession. I had always been told that “most artists don’t make any real money” and that I should “pursue something more stable”. But, I decided I wanted to work in a field I loved, and with my husband’s enthusiastic support, I took a chance on myself.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Gloria Aitken. I’m a self-taught artist and illustrator currently based in Birmingham, Alabama. I am 34 years old, a wife, a mom, and I have a handful of chronic illnesses.

I have made art since I was child. My mom was an artist in her own right and she really fostered a love of visual arts in me. Her guidance and inspiration will always be seen in my work and I’m so thankful for that. She planted the seed that sprouted into my business.

Initially, I wanted to bring in some extra income for my little family, while still tackling the task load of a stay at home mom, the beginnings of fibromyalgia, and a myriad of comorbidities . I needed something I could do mainly from home, in my down time, that was low impact, and most importantly, that I enjoyed. My husband was, and still is, my biggest supporter. He encouraged me to trust myself. I started with commission work, paintings, sketches, and occasional graphic design. I met local artists that I admire, started attending more events, networked a ton, and really started honing in on my style. My community taught me so much and I’ve made lifelong friends in the process. These new friends gave me the knowledge I needed to grow.

As I grew, I started only creating things I have interest in and being more authentic to myself. Finding my niche was not always easy and is still a challenge at times, but putting things I love into my work makes me happy. My art is blend of nature-inspired, folkloric, and esoteric elements, with a touch of spookiness and pop culture. I mostly work in acrylic, pen, watercolor, and digital mediums. My style is characterized by tiny details and patterns inspired by nature and folklore. It features a mix of dark, moody colors and vibrant, whimsical hues, as well as symbolism and metaphors drawn from the esoteric traditions. It’s truly an amalgamation of myself and something I am proud of.

My small business has become my catharsis. It not only generates income for my family, but acts as such a rewarding part of my life. The creative process is stress relief, it is a distraction from chronic pain, the family attends markets and shows together and I get so fulfilled when people connect with a piece. It truly feels like my calling.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

The best resource I have run into in my creative journey is my community. Find your people and talk to them! This may seem obvious to most people, but I am an introvert. I have anxiety and depression. Talking to people, especially strangers, is something that doesn’t come naturally to me. I’m perfectly content in my quiet little space, all by my lonesome. But, being part of a creative community will keep you driven and engaged. You will pick up so many tips and tricks along the way! My peers are some of my biggest supporters and we work hard to build each other up. If I ever have any questions, chances are, someone in my circle has already figured it out. I have a huge support system and I wish I had started networking much earlier.

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

Unfortunately, my whole journey is an exercise in resilience. I have a handful of chronic health conditions that greatly limit my day to day life. The main conditions I have are fibromyalgia and dysautonomia. But, as anyone with chronic issues knows, once there’s one, they tend to pile on. Because of these, I experience debilitating widespread pain, fatigue, depression, anxiety, sleep disruptions, nerve issues, stomach problems, etc. I wake up every day with a different combination of symptoms and no energy whatsoever. I have to really push myself to create and have a lot of challenges to overcome on a regular basis. I have to be super determined to work through the pain and mental fog. But, my love for this work and the fulfillment that comes along with it, is worth every bit of effort. It allows me to channel my limited energy into something beautiful and fun.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://Instagram.com/gloriaaitkenart
• Facebook: https://Facebook.com/gloriaaitkenart