We recently connected with Vicky Reddish and have shared our conversation below.

Vicky, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?

At my very first art show in 2022, I sold my first piece at the show, a large work, and was so excited but realized I didn’t know what to do next. Being a newbie, I hadn’t considered how my customers would leave with their purchases, and I panicked. Enter my booth neighbor Andy who immediately stepped in with all the materials I would need to wrap it up nicely and walked me through how to wrap it on the spot. He also shared enough bags and shrink wrap with me to get me through the show. More than that, he made an impact.

Andy wasn’t competition; he was a friend. He showed me the ropes, congratulated me on every sale (along with my other amazing booth neighbors), and reminded me that we all need a little help sometimes.

This person was a stranger 2 days before this, but he went out of his way to help me, and I’ll never forget it. He set the tone for my artistic career. I always want to show up for other artists and help lift them as they live their dreams too.

Vicky, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

The heart of the work I create is to make people smile, feel happy, or calm when they see my work. Life is tough and I want to create moments and art that give people relief from the pressures they may face.

My art is inspired by nature, travel, and people that have impacted me. It is an obsession that centers me and helps me process my own journey.

I work primarily with acrylic paint and in the last few months, have fallen in love with bright colors.

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

Two things here.

First, when I see someone connect with my art and “get it”, it creates a soul-deep satisfaction and joy in me that drives me to keep creating.

Second, getting to build relationships and support other artists is so rewarding. Every opportunity I get to be in the room with other artists fills my cup and inspires me. I have found the artist community to be so kind, welcoming, and supportive and I’m so grateful.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I believe that the creative journey mirrors life. I have ideas, I struggle to work the piece – loving it, hating it, reconciling it, loving it again, and then I release it into the world: sometimes others love it and sometimes they don’t. Sometimes the way other people respond to the art makes me question myself, so I have to look deeper inside and form my own opinions again. I tell people all the time that being an artist is very emotional, with lots of ups and downs, struggles, and joy. I believe that, just as in life, the reward comes when you keep moving through, keep asking questions, and keep looking for ways to show up better in the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://vickyreddish.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vickyreddish/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vickyreddishart