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Life and Work with Whitney Holbourn

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Holbourn.

Whitney, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born in Florida but raised in Louisville, Kentucky. I’ve always been into painting and knew it was something that I had natural abilities in.

However, I grew up with not a lot of money and getting my college degree was of utmost importance, art and painting (for that matter) was never really an option for me.

It really took me moving back to the Tampa/St. Pete area when I was 25 that really kickstarted my career in visual arts.

A really traumatic break up really forced me to start focusing on myself and what I love. While In Tampa, I was apart of my first art show, where I met other artists like Bekky Beukes, Cam Parker, Sebastian Coolidge, etc…
I wish I could say I decided to pursue painting as a full-time job, on my own, but it really took surrounding myself with other artists who worked their asses off and accomplished so many great things while doing it, to actually believe I could do this full time:

I took a couple of years off to pursue another idea in Northern California, where I still pumped out commissions and a couple of other original works. I also had a show, returning to my hometown of Louisville, KY. The owners of Taj asked me to put together a group show in my travels all over the country.

Cut to, today, I moved to a Denver Colorado about a year and a half ago. I have been so fortunate to have accomplished so much in such a little amount of time. Thanks to the community and support group around me.
I have been able to work with Grassroots, including two shows with them and my own hat and joggers(released September 2019).

I’ve been able to be featured at so many festivals and events as well as work with so many amazing artists that I can call my friends.

As far as the near future, ill be doing a walk down in Miami for Art Basel this coming December, it’ll be my second time attending and participating.

No stopping til I get to the stars.

Has it been a smooth road?
Smooth is the opposite of what my whole experience has been.
I don’t view this as a bad thing though. The hardest times in my venture to follow my dreams have only opened the door at inconvenient times, to so many greater things!!!

Every negative thing I have experienced has been so uncomfortable, that it forced me to do what I love regardless.

To any aspiring artist, whatever that medium may be, the best advice I can give you is: keep going. It’s so cliche but, in the words of my art mentor (bekky beukes), ‘ if you make enough noise, somebody is going to listen’.

Be the person that takes the risks, take the risk that makes you uncomfortable and unstable… because the people that don’t succeed are the ones that are too scared.

Be fearless, manifest everything until it is right in front of you.

What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I’m a painter.
I use acrylic on canvas and sometimes wood.
I have, however, fallen in love with spray paint and doing murals all over the country.

I’m slowly building up my portfolio but am finally coming into my style where I use both aerosol and acrylic in my murals and paintings.

My art is psychedelic and surreal…it’s me inside and out.

I am most proud of my recent collaboration with grassroots as it has been a goal of mine for so long. To see it realized is insane.

I try not to compare myself to others. Every person I know doing what they love have a different story and a different path of how they’ve gotten there and where they’re going. I want everyone to succeed.

If anything were to set me apart it would be my determination. It would be my willingness to be uncomfortable and my ability to relate to others.

There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that a lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
The best thing that has worked for me when networking, is just remembering what your goal is. A lot of people have a hard time networking because of anxiety, fear of being seen wrong. Being made fun of… etc.

I’ve just reached a point in my life where I am so ok with the person I am and my goals that if anyone rejects me… that’s really their loss.

It’s a great feeling to really know what you have to offer and not stopping until everyone sees it. The people that are harder to network with or to win over, are the ones I love to meet because I love to challenge people.

Don’t ever be scared to be yourself.

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Image of myself and of the three girls wearing joggers were taken by @emilyelizabetgphotography IG

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