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

Wendy, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

The biggest risk I took was when I left my steady job to pursue a full-time career as an artist. I was a recent divorcee with 2 small children and a new mortgage. I recently switched professions from childcare director to property manager. I was creating art and doing residential and commercial painting part-time beginning in March of 2017. After a year of creating, I noticed that I had to turn down a lot of commissions because of my current job as a property manager. I remember having a talk with my mom about wanting to see what would happen if I quit my job and started working for myself. I was so scared! I was crying and expressing my fears to her and how I felt like I was “wasting my life” at my current job. She said, “Wendy just quit!” Later that night, my big cousin Noel came by and gave me a talk about knowing my purpose and having faith in myself. The next day, I put in my 2 weeks’ notice; that was July of 2018, and right then, opportunities instantly started opening for me. A few months later, I had a sold-out art show and was doing very well as a full-time creative. As time went on, I was commissioned to fly out to different states to create paint designs. I have created art for both athletes and entertainers. I’ve been featured in music videos along with my art. I created murals up and down the East Coast and have had my art purchased from places as far as Turkey and Kenya. Esme Bianco said, “You can’t get anywhere in life without taking risks.” Had I stayed put and never fully pursued my art, I would not have met so many amazing people, nor would I have been given so many amazing opportunities. Despite all the fears I experienced, and sometimes still do, I’ve also experienced the fruit of taking a risk, and I see that THAT was and still is all worth it.

Wendy, 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?

My name is Wendy Medley, and I am a visual artist and small business owner and operator of Painting Pretty, Inc. which is currently based in Philadelphia, PA. Having obtained my degrees in Elementary Education and Human Services, I soon realized creating art was my passion. Following my career as a childcare director and property manager, divorce pushed me to begin painting house’s part-time to create additional income in which Painting Pretty was founded.
I soon advanced from being a general painter to specializing in paint designs and murals. Shortly after becoming a residential and commercial paint designer, I added canvas art to my business services which is now known as Wendy Medley Art.

Since Painting Pretty, Inc. and Wendy Medley Art was produced, I have become a Nationally known artist who has been commissioned to create artwork for many celebrities, musicians, and athletes. I have also been given the opportunity to travel up and down the East Coast and to also fly to different states creating paint designs and murals for places such as music studios, commercial offices, and schools. Along with traveling to create, my city has been a blessing in acknowledging my craft. I was given a citation from the City of Philadelphia for my art and was recently on a segment for Fox29 discussing my journey through the arts.

In addition to becoming an artist, I realized how being a creative has helped with my mental health. Having been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, Severe Anxiety Disorder, and ADHD, art has become a healthy outlet for me to express myself while also learning how to channel a busy mind that may be accompanied by undesired emotions. When creating canvas art, I want people to not only be able to feel seen, but I want other to experience the beauty that comes from spaces of brokenness.

Much of my own art stems from emotions, and experiences, so recently I decided to create something surrounding the comical, happy, and fun parts of my life known as, motherhood. Earlier this year, I released my first children’s book, “Good Morning Song”. This is the first book out of my book series called, “Kay’s World”, which is a collection of stories surrounding my 2 children, Kayci and Kashis. This is the first time I created something out of pure joy. I am the proudest of this project because it shows how diverse I can be with my art, while also sharing the parts of being a writer I never showcased.

What I love about being a creative is that there’s no ceiling. Art can be found anywhere and almost on anything. I have done book illustrations, album covers, painted on walls, mirrors, floors, glass, counter tops, clothing, guitar cases, and even an arm cast. The opportunities are endless. As an artist, I realize that sometimes I operate as a creative vessel, and that my gifts have touched many lives in some way or another, and for that, I am forever grateful.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect about being a creative is being able to provide for my family. When I was in highschool, I wanted to go to Art School when I graduated, and was offered a scholarship for an art school in Connecticut. I was voted “Most Artistic” out of the school, and thought that I could learn a lot more if I went to an Art College. At the time, my parents didn’t think that going to school that focused mainly on art was a smart option. Although they did encourange my gifts by making sure I had art supplies on hand, they wasn’t aware how technology and social media would soon help create the opportunities that previous generations did not have. So I was sent to a general college and didn’t think about taking art seriously until 14 years later. “What’s for you won’t pass you by”. Even though I went to school for something completely different, LIFE brought me right back to my first love. Art.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

How the society can help support artists and creatives is with financial support. Grants and funding would help us pursue more projects and experiments without financial constraints. You can do something as small as promoting an artists’ work on social media and other online platforms so that we can reach a wider audience. If able, buy art, it’s an investment. Don’t wait until we are long gone to have our works sell for millions, buy our art while we still are alive! Also, support local galleries and/or organizations that advocate for artists and the arts.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wendymedley.com
• Instagram: @painting_pretty and @wendy.medley.art
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/painting.pretty.1/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PaintingPretty