We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Whitney Stoddard. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Whitney below.

Whitney, appreciate you joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I actually have an interesting answer for this…I wanted to pursue my career as an artist professionally long before I actually allowed myself the space to do so. I think it’s so interesting the number of artists and creatives who have been told, from very early on, that art is a fun hobby, something to do in your free-time, but not necessarily something that can be fostered into a full-fledged career. I have always loved to create. As a child, I would draw and doodle endlessly. I could look at an object and draw a pretty decent representation from a very young age. Of course, I didn’t realize this was any sort of spectacular talent; just something I was able to do. I loved this advertisement I used to see in children’s magazines. It was a picture of a bear with the caption “If you can draw this, you can be an artist!” Then some instructions on how to mail your drawing into some far off place for some person to determine if you could or couldn’t be an artist. I don’t know why I never sent in my drawing. I suppose it was some very early fear of rejection which kept me from putting that rendering in an envelope and mailing it off. But I’ve also lived many lives since then. I graduated from college and moved out west. Waited tables during the day and painted on my days off and at night. Then the fear of adulthood sunk in and I got a “real job” in Nashville. I worked during the day and went to art school at night. I would dream all day long at work about pieces I was working on. Creatively, I was finding my own personal style, but at the same time had no intention of making art my full-time career. Fast forward several years, I went to graduate school to become a Speech Pathologist, still putting my creative endeavors on the back burner. It wasn’t until I had my first child that I decided I would pursue art full-time and leave the rest behind. At some point, I just had to give in to my intuition. I knew it would be tough, but my desire to create outweighed my desire to be comfortable. I think about this often and use it as motivation to continue to push myself creatively and professionally.

Whitney, 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?

I am a Charleston, SC-based artist who lives with my husband, eight-year-old daughter, three-year-old son, and thirteen year old “firstborn” cockapoo. My work has been featured and collected across the United States, as well as internationally.

Following my undergraduate degree from Furman University in Greenville, SC, I moved to Jackson Hole, Wyoming. After many adventures out west, I moved to Nashville, Tennessee where I studied at The Watkins College of Art, Design, & Film.

I am inspired by classic design elements and all things vintage. I am probably best known for my original Tea-Stained Collections from which my audience first grew. My tea-stained pieces begin with an organic, yet intentional, tea-staining process, which I feel is as much a part of the art as the figures painted on them. The tea-stained paper becomes a canvas for the next step of the process, where the work comes to life. My pieces combine unique movement and intricate figures using a combination of charcoal and graphite sketch, acrylic paint and India ink. I strive to create unique, “je ne sais quoi” expressions and sentiment through minimal paintbrush strokes. I always hope my work personifies the power of simplicity.

I also love creating modern botanical and abstract patterned work, as well as large scale murals. My mural work can be found hiding all over downtown Charleston; most notably behind the reception desk at Hotel Emeline, located on Church Street..

Each of my tea-stained pieces are stained using tea from the Charleston Tea Garden, located on Wadmalaw Island, SC.

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

I’m not sure this could technically be classified as my overall “mission,” but I do believe my most desired objective is outright authenticity. I absolutely love hearing from individuals who have walked into a space and seen my work hanging and immediately known it was a piece of mine. I honestly cannot think of a bigger compliment as an artist than that. I love creating something no one else has created. I love exploring new ideas. Although not everything ends up working, at least I know what doesn’t, while at the same time staying true to my personal style and myself.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

I’m not sure if non-creatives would struggle to understand this or not, but maybe it’s a great lesson for anyone…knowing there is not a specific formula or recipe for success is something you have to keep in the forefront of your mind. Not being afraid to try something new, and not resting on your laurels of what has been successful in the past is maybe the most important thing to keep in mind.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.whitneystoddardart.com
• Instagram: @whitneystoddardart
• Facebook: Whitney Stoddard Art
• Email: [email protected]

Image Credits
Laura Saur, photographer