When I first saw Whitney's beautiful work on Instagram, I knew it was something special. I appreciate the graphic quality of her work (in the black ink she uses) juxtaposed with old world texture and color of the tea stained papers she uses as a painting surface. This up and comer is one to watch and collect right now.
How long have you been in business and how did you get started?
I officially opened my small business earlier this year! It was truly an organic (& very exciting) process for me, and came at the perfect time. In my early twenties I was somewhat of a nomad, moving from Greenville, SC to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to Nashville, TN, to Columbia, SC, and finally finding my forever home here in Charleston, SC, in my beloved home state :) When I lived in Nashville, I attended The Watkins College of Art, Design, & Film. It was then that I really started pouring myself into creative ventures and exploring different mediums.
What do you look to for inspiration?
I am extremely inspired by the female figure, so I am constantly sketching different forms and figures that I may want to paint. A lot of times I will see a photo of someone wearing a gorgeous gown & envision my own interpretation. Other times, I look to vintage fashion for inspiration. I've always been told I'm an "old soul," so it's no surprise that I love to evoke a sense of nostalgia in my paintings. I think my tea staining process really allows for a connection between modern art and times gone by.
What is your favorite color?
I bet you thought I'd say black, right? Well, it's not! My favorite color is GREEN :)
Who are your favorite artists?
I am a hug fan of Joan Miró, Henri Matisse, Georgia O'Keefe, & Jackson Pollock. I have found so much inspiration from Pollock's abstract female figures, which are truly breathtaking. I also draw a lot of inspiration from contemporary artists and photographers. I'm a huge Annie Leibovitz
groupie!
Where can readers find your work?
I currently have several small works at The Southern Gallery here in Charleston. I also have pieces available through The Christenberry Collection (online & Columbia brick & mortar). I'm also always updating my Instagram (@whitneystoddardart) and website (www.whitneystoddardart.com) with my most recent available works!
What are you reading?
I would love to have more of a fun/light-hearted answer for this question, but it looks like I am about to embark on Raising Grateful Kids in an Entitled World by Kristen Welch. I have a super sweet, but very opinionated, independent & headstrong 20 month old daughter so I'll take all the help and guidance I can get!
Where are you eating?
I try to keep it pretty healthy (during the week), so a lot of times I'll stick to whole grains, lean proteins and lots and lots of veggies! I'm a sucker for poke bowls and my most recent obsession is cauliflower fried rice with shrimp :) My husband is an incredible cook, so I'm extremely lucky to have a creative mind in the kitchen whipping up new recipes all the time!
What are your favorite Charleston recommendations?
Gosh! There are so many fun things to do, see, eat, and experience here in Charleston! I'm a huge food lover, so good restaurants are my weakness & Charleston has more of them than you can count. I think Chez Nous is the best restaurant in Charleston for a "treat yourself" night out on the town. Their menu changes every single day, and there's never been a bad dish plated inside that tiny little house :) I'm dying to try two of the newest places in town: Restaurant Tu (opened by the owners of Xiao Bao Biscuit), and Basic Kitchen.
For some non-food related activities, anyone traveling to town near the holidays MUST take advantage of all the fun and festive happenings around town! There are several holiday-inspired musical performances happening at The Dock Street Theatre, Charleston Music Hall, and The Gaillard Center. There's also the James Island Holiday Festival of Lights that's such a fun thing to see each year- and fun for the entire family! There are so many tiny little holiday pop-up shops and collaborative events...The Charleston City Paper is a great place to find out what's going on & what's not to miss.
My one recommendation to anyone visiting is to walk the city! Start out downtown and just head where your feet lead you- it's the best way to explore Charleston & uncover the city's hidden gems!
I hope you enjoy Whitney's work as much as I do and that you add her to your collection!
xx,
