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

Victoria, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I find so much joy and satisfaction as a painter and creative, but that is not to say that everything in my career is only joy. My goal in redesigning my career into a creative one was to minimize the activities in my day-to-day life that did not make me feel energized or enthusiastic. I used to be a lawyer doing “lawyerly activities” like sending emails, billing my time in six-minute increments, or staring at a computer screen for ten hours a day. Now I maximize the activities that I am super enthusiastic about, including getting into flow as much as possible through painting and creating; connecting deeply with others through inspiration and beauty; exploring my artistic and philosophical curiosities in a child-like way; and working with kids and making art.

I have not completely eliminated the things I do not love to do (because we all have to pay our taxes), but I can honestly say that I have designed a life where my days are mostly filled with activities that really feed my soul and fill my heart. Even the things that I don’t necessarily enjoy doing I tolerate with serenity because they are fueling my dream.

Ultimately, to be very successful at any endeavor requires being passionate about doing that activity. Painting everyday feels like a privilege, not a chore. It excites me and it ultimately makes my creative career more sustainable than my legal career. I don’t ever feel like I need a break. When I am painting, I am doing what I would do in my free time.

The one big difference between practicing law and a creative career is that there is much less structure built into my average day. It takes a lot more self-discipline to be productive without demanding clients, law partners and judges hounding me for my work. It takes discipline to say “no” to things and for me to set up boundaries to protect my creative time. But I am so passionate about making my art and setting up my art business to thrive, my friends have a hard time convincing me to go on vacation!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a painter, sculptor, philosopher, mentor, and teacher born in New Orleans and living in Venice Beach, California. I paint portraits that celebrate a selection of the world’s most legendary thinkers, artists, and athletes, showcasing their philosophies that led them to their greatness. The emotionally-driven colors of my work range from subdued to bold, and the scale of my portraits are both large and larger-than-life. My intimately-close compositions compel the viewer to look at these recognizable figures from a different perspective.

In my distinctive take on portraiture, I pay homage to the intellect, creativity, beauty and character of the legends that inspire me. Some of my artwork goes beyond the traditional canvas. For instance, I have captured the likeness of a musicians on grand pianos and a surf legends on sets of surfboards that were strung together.

I now sell my original paintings, prints, and a line of curated giftable items incorporating my artwork, including sleek crystal ashtrays and cool iridescent puzzles, both online and in-person at galleries and events across the country.

Beyond creating art, I find working with children and giving back as a great source of inspiration. I volunteer as a teacher and director at Indivisible Arts, a nonprofit educational organization where I teach creativity, consciousness and connection to children and young adults.

2023 was a big year for me. My career really took off after I had my first solo show at Resin Gallery in Hermosa Beach. I was the featured artist of the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach and the two Beach Life Music Festivals. In addition, I had a solo exhibition at Aqua Art Miami at Miami Art Week.

This year, I exhibited at the L.A. Art Show and the Art Wynwood Art Fair at the Miami Boat Show. Upcoming, I have a lot of great things lined up, including brand partnerships, event appearances and hotel residencies. I return to the U.S. Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach in early August and I have a solo exhibition with Fabrik Projects Gallery at Bergamot Station Art Center in Santa Monica, from August 15 through September 1.This winter, I will return to Miami for Miami Art Week, presenting another solo exhibition.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My goal is to inspire as many people as possible with my artwork, philosophy, and, most importantly, my teaching. My experience is in line with the advice of Viktor Frankl: “For success, like happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side-effect of one’s personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself.”
I am driven to teach my students through the most wisdom-filled lessons possible and to make the most authentic artwork I can possibly muster up.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I have only been on this creative career path for a few years. Several years ago, a serious health struggle forced me to leave my then ten-year career as a corporate lawyer. I had no plan at the time. I only knew that I could not heal and continue working as a corporate lawyer. I had to leap and hope that the net would appear. I had faith that it would, and I was ultimately right. But that pivot took a lot of soul-searching, courage, and faith.

As I was healing, I set out to create a new professional path for myself. I only knew that I wanted my new profession to be a creative one. So, during my recovery, I set the intention to explore various creative outlets and to create something, anything, every day. That habit of creating every day eventually became my whole life. I found my true passion in combining philosophy and painting to make unique portraits that reflect not only the likeness, but also the soul of my subjects. I have used my entrepreneurial skills to build a profession and creative business around what I love.

Since I left my legal career several years ago, my life has been a series of continuous and courageous leaps. But it has gotten easier, because, as Ruth Gordon said, “Courage is like a muscle. We strengthen it with use.”

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.victoriawhitecreates.com
• Instagram: @victoriawhitecreates
• Facebook: Victoria White Creates
• Other: tiktok: @victoriawhitecreates