Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Avra.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The journey to becoming an artist has been a magical path for me. Each step feels like a new awakening. Sacrifice, no compromise, is at the heart of my story. I’ve sold homes, moved from state-to-state, lived and worked out of an RV, worked jobs I didn’t care about to make ends meet, participating in difficult conversations and left many naysayers behind to get where I am today. You know what they say– With great risk comes great reward. And oh, how great the rewards have been! One of the most challenging things I’ve had to learn has been how to identify career “tipping points.” Tipping points happen when you find yourself standing right on the very edge of a 100-foot cliff. Often, you stand there for a while, analyzing when it’s the most optimal time to jump. You’re wearing a parachute pack, but you’re unsure, maybe even not confident, that the ripcord will work. Eventually, you have to jump, pull the cord, and figure it out before you land.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a mixed media artist working with vintage portraiture photography to explore phases and facets of feminine identity. I bridge earth-side experiences with clairvoyance by using acrylic paint, hand-embroidery techniques, bits of vintage ephemera, and textile nostalgia. Working on paper and canvas each piece is a process of layering, listening, and learning about the ways women give and receive, love and hold space, bond with sisters, and shed societal constraints to step into their wild power. I’m most known for the pop-art essence and bright, bold colors of my work. For a long time, my work featured women with veiled faces adorned with large, golden haloes reminiscent of religious icons. I feel like even though my work is shifting, most people recognize my work as the women with the haloes. I’ve had a solo exhibition at Elisabet Ney Museum in Austin, Texas. Found gallery representation with Maestri Gallery in Dallas, Texas. I have been featured with Saatchi Art in their 2020 international campaign, 100 Voices, 100 Artists. Received love from Society6’s blog about my work, Saints and Sinners. The list goes on and on. I oftentimes feel like I’m living in a dream and pinch myself frequently.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Simply talking to other artists at events and exhibitions has grown my professional circle immensely. Don’t be afraid to ask questions from those who are ahead of you in their career. Some of my best friendships have come from taking time to get to know other artists. Visit their studios. Go to their openings. Showing support goes a long way.
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@whitneyavra.com
- Website: www.whitneyavra.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitneyavra
Image Credits
Breezy Ritter
