We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Whitney Winkler a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Whitney, thanks for joining us 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 started painting over a decade ago while at home with a toddler and pregnant with baby #2. It began as just an outlet, and a way to create something for myself. Watercolor was the perfect medium, because it allowed me to start and finish something in one sitting, and walk away feeling fulfilled. I began selling my small paintings to friends– and then friends of friends. But, it wasn’t until 3.5 years later (after a third child) that I began selling more often, re-investing money from my sales back into the business, and really incrementally building something in the margins of my time as a mother. Looking back, I think that the initial spark of my work– the deep desire to create something even amidst a hard and often monotonous season, that helped me create genuine work that spoke to people in some way. Responding to my clients, and being willing to continually try new things really grew that seed. I don’t think I would have tried to speed up my full time career, because the way it grew slowly in the margins gave me such grounding and steadiness of creativity and craft.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I began selling original paintings, but very soon I knew that I wanted to expand to more than that. From early on, I could envision my art not just on paper or canvas, but as functional art for the home, on ceramics and textiles. I began painting on tiles and making coasters, and then began to create patterns from my paintings, which I then applied to fabric to create various lifestyle and home items. I currently offer over 30 fabric designs, have a team of seamstresses that design and sew everything with their hands and in their homes. We create everything from upholstery fabrics to purses, pillows, and self care items, and we are always dreaming up something new! In August of 2021, I opened a brick and mortar store in Memphis, TN to showcase my fine art, prints, and textiles, alongside many other hand made items from small business owners. As a small business owner myself, I love to be a cheerleader for other brands, and the shop gives me that platform.

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

I am driven by creative community. This plays itself out in many ways. First, having a brick and mortar store allows me to carry the work of other makers and support their creativity. I also am able to house creative conversations, workshops, etc in my space and invite other members of my community to join in! I also really believe in the ability of art to multiply. It multiplies in our emotions as we interact with it over and over. It multiplies in beauty in the eye of the beholder. But it can also multiply to lift up a worthy cause. For years now, I have donated 100% of profits from my art calendar sales to a cause that my heart is drawn to for the year. This year, we raised over 4K to America’s Kids Belong, an organization helping improve the experiences and outcomes of kids in foster care. All of these things keep my creative wheels turning and motivated!

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Having built a business largely on social media and locally in my city, I have relied on the support of community members and art lovers to keep me going! There are so many ways people can support artists. Simply sharing an artist’s new collection or piece you love is *everything* to an artist, because it puts our work in front of new people. Referring us, telling others about your good experiences with us, etc is also such a gift. Prioritizing original art work for your house is not lost on us, because not shows us that you see the value of the work we are putting into the world, and are wanting it to inspire your most special place– home.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.whitneywinkler.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/whitneywinkler_art
• Facebook: Facebook.com/whitneywinklerart

Image Credits
Avery Louise Photography