Whitney lives in Austin, Texas with her husband and dog. She paints from her small studio overlooking the Hill Country.

Artist Statement

I never thought I would be a painter. I can’t draw well and I wasn’t classically trained. But, the first time I sat in front of Mark Rothko’s work, something inside me awakened. I sat for hours soaking up the vibrational fields of color. I’ve always appreciated art, but in more of a technical or mechanical way. These paintings weren’t about the skill, but rather, how they made me feel. About a year later, I created my first painting, in an effort to explore and deepen my connection with the way I felt in front of the color fields, and I’ve been painting ever since.

My work is often an abstract expression of moments of awe. Moments that feel like they are in slow motion because you are so moved by what you are experiencing. For me, this is largely inspired by nature, but it could also be a feeling, a color, light, a sound, a song, a quote, a social movement, a place. The act of painting itself also creates those kinds of moments for me, so it is just as much about the process as it is the inspiration. When I am painting, everything gets very still, yet is wildly energetic and playful at the same time. I’m in conversation with the Muse and completely in flow and present.

Though my work is always evolving, there are some visual themes that have surfaced: color fields, abstract landscapes, and expressive shapes. Lately, I keep coming back to the idea of “soulscapes” which is about creating a visual representation of landscapes and seascapes, but in an abstract way that captures both the physical beauty of nature and the emotional response they evoke.

The medium I use depends on what feels appropriate for the vision and inspiration, though I mostly work with oil paints and cold wax. Sometimes unexpected organic materials like coffee grounds or soil are present; rich texture and depth is developed through applying many layers over time. Paint brushes are rarely used in my work, as I am usually painting with my hands or other objects. Painting with my hands was initially an instinct, and I find that it allows me to feel more directly connected to each piece.