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

Vicky, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I have never been able to support myself with my art but it doesn’t stop me from making it. While selling my art is a boost to my ego and pride it is not the main reason for creating. The process of making art keeps me sane and challenges me to think and solve problems. It gives me peace from the inside out.

I was married with two young children when I returned to school to finish my degree in art. I lived in the suburbs and commuted to downtown and loved every minute of it. I had been working in computer services full time for several years and made a good living. I was so excited to go back to school and stop my current work thinking I’d be doing art full time when I graduated. It did not take long to realize this was totally unrealistic.

I worked as an art substitute teacher in my community for the next school year and taught a night adult education class at the high school. There were great moments in this job, and I have great respect for those who love teaching, but I am not one of those people. I went back my current job in computer services and was so disappointed I was right back where I started before school. I am also not cut out to be a starving artist,

Through the years I have always made some time for drawing and painting. I have entered local shows and kept in contact with artist friends. In 2001 I moved back close to downtown. In 2009 I rented a studio at the Stutz and was officially a full-time artist. I felt like I was back in the local flow of the artworld and was very happy. I learned a lot about promoting my work and had many other artists to share my thoughts with. In 2022 I moved out of my studio back to my home due to renovations at the Stutz. I’m still making art and showing my work and selling some.

I believe this quote from Georgia O’Keefe “Whether you succeed on not is irrelevant, there is no such thing. Making your unknown known is the important thing.” Life goes on.

Vicky, 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?

Artist Statement & Biography
Vicky Shaffer White
FB Page: Vicky Shaffer White Studio
Instagram: @Vicky46226
Website: www.vickyshafferwhitestudio.net
317-250-6667
I graduated from Herron School of Art in 1984 with a BFA in painting. I worked as a substitute art teacher for a year and taught an adult education drawing class. I held the office of President on the Herron Alumni Association from 2004 through 2006 and served on the board for 10 years. I am a past board member of the Stutz Artist Association, IDADA (Indianapolis Downtown Artist Association). A year after graduation, in need of more funds, I returned to full time work in computer services until 2011. I spent a year in 2013 as the Executive Director of Henry County Arts in New Castle, IN. but decided after a year the hour commute and long hours kept me from making art. During all this time I continued attending life drawing studios, marketing my work, entering local shows and painting in my home studio. I began working full time as an artist in 2011 in a studio in the Stutz building and continued there until 2021. Since then, I’m back in my home studio. I currently volunteer for Arts for Lawrence and coordinate open studio life drawing there. I enter local shows, exhibits, and hang my work in local restaurants and shops.
Work Experience
Coordinator for Life Drawing Open Studio -Arts for Lawrence (not for profit) , Jan 2022 -current, -hire models, advertisement, & set up. Other volunteer duties as needed.
Chairperson for AFL-VAC Committee – Art for Lawrence Visual Arts Committee, volunteer position, March 2021 to November 2022, Planned and organized art exhibitions, volunteers for art projects, and teachers in the Visual Arts Building. Set up and supervised a gallery space.
Executive Director, Art Association of Henry County (AAHC), New Castle IN, Nov 2012 to Nov 2013 –supervise & direct the nonprofit art center, gallery & classes. Supervise the volunteers, fundraising, and daily operations.
Computer Analyst/Specialist for DFAS TSO-IN –August 2008 to March 2011. Comsys/Manpower Staffing/HP contractor. Monitor, run, and verify production schedules on multiple databases for Civilian Payroll (DCPS). Use a menu driven TSO mainframe platform.

LIST OF SHOWS AND EXHIBITIONS 1984-2024

Kaleidoscope of Color, Marilyn Rose Center, group show, June 2024
Art Saves Lives, Artspace, Athenaeum, group show, May 2024
Good Grief, Archivist Gallery, group show, May 2024
Total Eclipse Show, Arts for Lawrence, group show. April 2024
Women’s Expo, Franklin Library, group show, March 2024
Emptiness, Biafran online, group show 2024
IN State Treasurers Office, State Capitol, group show, June 2023-June 2024
Color & Line, Mass Avenue Wine, solo show, Sept 2023
Art Night in Oaklandon, Open House, Oaklandon, IN, Oct 2023
Cultivate Your Garden, Stokel Gallery, CCIC, solo show, July 2023
Wooden Bear Brewery, wall exhibition, solo, April 2023
Winds of Change, Lost Dog Gallery, 2 persons show, March 2023
Matter of the Heart, Archivist Gallery, group show, February 2023
Midtown Gallery, Group Show, Dec through Jan. 2023
Jockomo’s, wall exhibition, Lawrence, 2021,22, 23, & 24
Harrison Color Show, Ginger, Group show, Dec 2022
The Beyond Gallery, ‘Artist Choice’, group show, Lafayette IN, 2022
‘Artistry’, Arts for Lawrence, group show, Dec 2022
Abstract Show, Sullivan Munce Cultural Center, group show, Sept. 2022
‘Blues on the Square’, Fountain Sq., Solo show, Sept 2, 2022*
‘Figures of Speech’, Anderson Museum of Art, group Show, Sept. 2022 (Honorable Mention), 2023
‘Stutz On the Road’, Booth for 3 days, Carmel IN, May 2022
‘Stokal Gallery’, Circle Center Industrial Center, Solo Show, May 2022
‘Post It Show’, Chromatic Collective, group show, May 2022
‘World Art Show’, Arts for Lawrence, group show, May 2022
McKinney School of Law, purchase 7 paintings, Spring 2022
‘First Friday’, Nickel Plate Arts, group show, April 2022
‘700 Show’, Ignite Gallery, Group show, March 2022
‘Flora & Fauna’, Sullivan Munce Center, April-June 2022, 23, 24
‘Naturally Inspired’ Indianapolis Zoo, Plien air paint out, April 11, 2022
‘Herron Alumni Show’ Herron School of Art & Design, group show, Dec. 21- Feb. 22
‘Tiny 10’, 924 Gallery, group show, Dec 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 21, 23
Harrison Color Show, group show, Dec 2019 ,2021, 22, 23
MVA Gallery, Bethlehem, PA, group show, Oct 2021
SALI Abstract Show, Garfield Park, Group Show, Oct. 2021, 2023
‘Cincy 53’, ADC Gallery, Cincinnati, OH, group show Sept. 2021
Harrison Color Show, Burgandy, group show, Dec 2020
Voices of the Midwest, Kavanaugh Gallery, St Charles, IL, group show, Sept 2020
Cincy 52, ADC Gallery, Cincinnati, OH, group show Sept. 2020
Nature Show, Indianapolis Art Center, group show, Aug 2020
‘Figures of Speech’, Anderson Museum of Art, group show, Sept 2019
‘Blue’ , Garfield Park, group show, Jan. 2019
‘Open Space About the Land’, Minnitrista, Muncie IN, group show, Aug-Oct 2019
Ronald McDonald House in Peoria, IL. perm. exhibit, Nov 2019
First Friday Indianapolis City Market – Booth March & April 2018
RED Show -group show, SAA Association, also planned & curated this show.
· Stutz @ Raymond James downtown office -group display 2014-2016
· 1st in Line -IDADA group show -2016
· Bloom, solo show at Orchard Park Art Gallery, Sept. 2016
· 5547 Coal yard Coffee Shop group display Oct 2016
· Can We Talk? -SAA Artist Gallery -March 2016
· Rhythm & Blues, group show, Meridian Street Gallery, Jan 2016
Light Exhibition, group show, Meridian Street Gallery, Sept 2015
· Hoosier Salon VS IMOCA, group show at IMOCA, August 2015
· Neat-0 -ongoing shop display, 2014-2016
· Terminus Movement -solo show –Indpls. Circle Center Arts Garden – October 2014
· Flight Time –Solo Show –Fort Wayne International Airport –October 2014 –Dec 2013
· Three Regional Contemporary Artists -Art Assoc. of Henry Co with Stephen Sickles, Bastion Crider -Aug 2013
· Retro Work -Solo Show -Art Assoc. of Henry Co. – April 2013
· Spotlight -2 person show -Clowes Hall, Butler University – with Phil O’Malley – March 2013
· National Midwest Abstract Show -Juried at Garfield Art Center -Sept. 29, 2012, 2013, 2016 & 2017 –Merit Award 2012, 2017
Heart of Summer – group show at Stutz Art Space – July 2012
Spin Change” at Earth House -solo show* – May 2012
Hoosier Art & Antique Show -group Stutz booth -Mar 9 -11
Unclothed– juried group show -nudes- at Stutz Gallery -Nov 2011
Herron Alumni Show, -Juried group show, Sept 2 – Sep 24th, 2011, Marsh Gallery
· Women of a Certain Age -group show, Stutz, Oct 2011, 2012
ORANJE -booth -1-night music & art event. 24th & Illinois -Sept 17, 2011
*JOY -solo show Circle Theater for Indianapolis Symphony, Sept 2011
Color Of Music -group show Stutz Gallery July 2011 -also organized it.
Art of Healing -IUPUI Alumni workshop, Conference Center May 2011
White Pines Gallery -online gallery -Feb 2011 to Jan 2012
Grey Matters – group show at Stutz Gallery -May 2011
Art in Bloom -juried show, Crazy Horse Gallery, Greenfield, IN, March 2011
Pump Show -group show at Stutz Gallery -Feb 2011
Orange Crush group show at Harrison Center -December 2010
‘ReDome Project’-Keep Indianapolis Beautiful –juried show –Aug.2010
Indianapolis Mayor’s Office -juried group Show- July 2010 through Dec 2012, 2013, 2014
4th Natl. Miniature Show- Artistic Designs Gallery–juried –May 2010
Stutz One Peek Show –group show –April 2010,11,12,13,15,16,17
Stutz “On the Road” in New Castle, IN -March 2010
Stutz Holiday Art Show -group show–Nov 2009,2010,11,12,13,15,16,17,18, 19, 21
*Indy Hostel – solo show –Oct/Nov 2009
Indy Fringe Festival -Aug 2008 & 2009
· Stutz Spring Open House Annual Show April 2009, 2010,11, 12, 13,15,16,17,18, 19, 21
Garfield Park Fall Art Festival –Nov 2008
Indianapolis Dept. of Metro Development April 2008
Indianapolis Zoo/White River Gardens –solo show Feb12 -May12 2008
Creative Native Competition –Garfield Park –Jan 2008
Scenes from Sonoita – Garfield Art Center –group show –Nov. 2006
Boulevard Place Restaurant – “Forever Flowers” -Feb 2006 -Mar 2007
Locals Only Art & Music Pub – ‘Figures’ -Dec 2005/Jan. 2006
· A to Z Café –Sept/Oct 2005
· Environmental WOW –IMOCA –May 26-30, 2005
Hoosier Salon -Group Show –May 2005
College Library, 42nd & College, Sept 2004
Pike Performing Art Center –Aug/Sept 2004
Strokes of Nature Show –Eagle Creek Nature Center –Jul 31,04 –2nd place
Café Patachou – Carmel -July 2004
Nature’s Palette –Eagle Creek Park –April 2004
Riley Day’s –Greenfield, IN –April 2004
Plainfield Library – January 18th, 2004, through February 14th, 2004
Harrison Center for the Arts –Open House, August 2003
Café 251 –north tower of AUL building –June-July 2003
First Meridian Heights Presbyterian Church -June 2003 & April 2007
Meridian Design Group, Pan Am Building, Indpls, March –June 2003
Good Frienz Hartland, WI Jan. 2003 -2005
Herron 100 –fund raiser Nov 2002
Three Sisters Restaurant, Broad Ripple, summer 2002
Plein Air Member Show, Jasper IN, June 2002, Anderson IN, Oct 2003
Midland Art & Antiques Market –booth -April 2002 to July 2002
*Illinois Food Emporium –March 2002
Indiana Wine Festival –booth -July 2001
Herron Alumni Show- June 2001, June 2003, Sept 2011
Broad Ripple Art Fair –booth with CCA –May 2001
CCA Gallery- May 2001 to May 2002
The Abbey Restaurant – November 1999
IN State Fair,1987,88,99, 2000, 03, 04,05,06,07,08,09,10,11,12, 14,15,16,20,21,22, 23, 24
IMA Rental Gallery –painting for rent or sale, Oct. 1986 to Sept 1987
Penrod Arts Fair- booth, September 1986, Group display SAA 2017
3-IN-ONE, 3 women show, Jefferson Natl. Life Bank Building lobby, 1986
Washington Twp. Library- (Avon) – October 1985
Arts in the Park-booth display, Eagle Creek Park, 1985, 1986
Herron Senior Show- 1984
Installation, “Herron Goes Public”- Children’s Museum, May 1984
Plainfield Library –One person Show, January 1984, January 2004
Central Indiana Artists, May 1982, 83, 84, 85, 91, 2000, & 2001

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

Every now and then a patron that has purchased art from me will text and or see me at another show and tell me how much they are enjoying their painting. They might say it fits their decor, cheers them up, or see something different every time they look at the painting. This makes my day!

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

To keep painting and sharing my feeling and ideas. I’m trying to grow and mature in my work daily.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.vickyshafferwhitestudio.net
• Instagram: @vicky46226
• Facebook: FP Page: Vicky Shaffer White Studio
• Linkedin: Vicky White
• Yelp: Vicky Shaffer White Stdio

Image Credits

Vicky Shaffer White