We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Hillary Howorth. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Hillary below.

Alright, Hillary thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I knew from a very young age that I wanted to do something creative and within the arts. I can remember trying to consciously skew the career tests we would take in middle school to ensure it would say I was meant for the Arts and Humanities career cluster! I grew up as a dancer traveling the country and spending summers in LA to learn from the best teachers and choreographers. I even attended a fine arts high school part time for ballet. I actually discovered my love for art through dance when I would sketch and design my dance company’s costumes that we would wear for competitions and performances. I I originally thought that I would go into fashion design, but I chickened out last minute. Life has a funny way of calling you back to your passions though. It was not until 2012 when home on bed rest during my first pregnancy with twin girls that I began painting and sketching again. I painted for my home, for friends, for everyone. Sadly the pregnancy of my baby girls ended in a heartbreaking stillbirth. BUT an incredible blessing came out of so much loss and heartbreak. I started painting for them, continued for healing, which eventually led to a beautifully fulfilling career. Something so beautiful out of something so tragic. Their lives continue to have so much meaning and life within my work.

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?

While I have been creating works of art throughout my life in various forms, it was not until 2012 when home on bed rest during my first pregnancy with twin girls that I began painting. Continuing to pursue art was a way for me to heal after that pregnancy ended in a tragic loss and it pushed me back to my authentic self. I realized just how precious life was and that I wasn’t going to waste it in an unfulfilling career. This new found love for painting ultimately led me to committing to art full time and leaving my job as a pediatric dental hygienist behind. I always say that something beautiful came out of something so tragic. My career as an artist is because of my beautiful daughters and they truly live on through my work. So I want others to view my art and see more than just circles and layers, but layers and layers of healing and moments of her beautifully complicated life. I want my work to be healing for others as well.

I am most proud and it is most validating when a collector reached out to me and they say that they see their own life’s moment in my work or it helped them through grief or even as a way of celebration. That is what art is mean for and I’m always so honored to be a part of it!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Connections, not just with collectors, but other artists in this amazing creative community. I think it is so important to always be willing to offer and seek support and encouragement from your peers—the artists who came before you and those who will come in after you. Do not be afraid to reach out and ask questions. That has truly been invaluable in my career as an artist as well as has helped create lifelong and unexpected friendships. I truly believe that we all rise together and there is room for everyone at the table!

How did you build your audience on social media?

Social media is hard, takes time and is constantly changing. While I acknowledge it is a different bird from even when I started a handful of years ago, I think that it is still important to use it to create connections. My career was built on two main places, my studio and Instagram essentially. It takes one collector or one designer to share your work and create a domino effect. That is what happened to me, a few big projects that led to many more because they shared my work! I am consistently posting my work as well as posting my real authentic self and voice in my captions. But more importantly, using social media to connect and get advice from fellow creatives is what is truly career changing. Sharing each others work, couriers, retailers, tips and tricks… it all matters!

Contact Info:

• Website: Hhoworthart.com
• Instagram: Hhoworthart
• Facebook: Hillary Howorth Art

Image Credits
Mary Craven Photography