We were lucky to catch up with Whitney Gibbons recently and have shared our conversation below.

Whitney, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

Honestly; yes! I am happier as an artist/creative, but that doesn’t mean its always easy. There are definitely moments when I wonder if I should return to the corporate world with a “regular” job- one with a clear trajectory, fewer risks, and a consistent paycheck.
The last time I had these thoughts was just last month; staring at a blank canvas in my home office turned art studio, with zero will to paint. I had been stuck in this sort of artist block for weeks, feeling like I needed to force something out to keep up with social media content and my current series. I am currently in the middle of a 20+ painting series focused on the beloved television show ‘A Different World’. This is definitely my passion project; my baby, and something that I have been looking forward to getting started for years. And after 5 paintings, I experience that biggest case of artist block I’ve ever had, battling a lot of self-doubt and frustration that I couldn’t simply get in the mood to push forward. In the back of my mind I kept battling thoughts of “You wouldn’t be going through this if you got a real job….You wouldn’t be a starving artist if you would go get a 9-5….”.
But here’s what pulled me out of it: I remembered that even when I’ve been at my most exhausted or discouraged creatively, I’ve still felt more alive and full of purpose than I ever did working a conventional job. The uncertainty with pursuing an artistic career path can at time be brutal, yes- but the freedom to explore ideas, make something out of nothing, to put something into the world that might actually move someone? That’s irreplaceable.
So, while I do fantasize about the simplicity of a “regular” job, it’s usually in moments of burnout or fear. But, one my favorite quotes to remember is; “Often the right path is the one that may be the hardest for you to follow. But the hard path is also the one that will make you grow…” – Karen Mueller Coombs

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

My name is Whitney Gibbons (Lewis), and I am a self-taught artist from Akron, Ohio, currently residing in Louisville, Kentucky. I have always had a creative spirit, drawn more towards painting. This has been a hobby fostered ever since I was a little girl. Growing up, I always had the idea of creating my own art business/ brand as a full time career, but to develop much later in life. A few years ago, I had the thought “Why not now?”. So, for the past few years I have been growing my art brand into the career that I dreamed of. It is definitely not an easy path, but its the one most desired and loved.

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

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist, is getting to share my work others. The moment when someone recognizes my work, and gets to talking about how it resonates with them, fills my heart with so much joy. Its a small precious moment that I can bond over with my viewers.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

To truly support artists and build a thriving creative ecosystem, society needs to start by recognizing creativity as essential- not as a luxury or an afterthought, but as something that shapes culture, drives innovation, and nourished the human experience.
On a more practical level, we need more accessible funding, fair pay structures, and affordable spaces for creatives to work and share their work. Too often, artists are expected to created under conditions that are financially unsustainable or emotionally draining. Grants, residencies, and artist-centered policies should be made more inclusive, more transparent, and more reflective of the diversity of voices out there- not just the established or visible ones.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.wgartistry.com
• Instagram: @wg_artistry
• Facebook: WG Artistry
• Other: tik tok: @wg_artistry