Featured Folk Artist ::: Adriana Whitney of Adri's Art

We are so delighted to welcome Adriana Whitney to the Cafe today! I promise you that you'll want to know more about this sweet lady after spending time with her. So, you'll be able to learn more about her by visiting her blog, and I'm sure you'll want to begin collecting her art. You can find her on Ebay , Etsy, and Zazzle! Without further ado...

(photo used by permission. © Adriana Whitney)

* when & how did folk art sweep you off your feet?

I fell in love with art when I was 10 years old. My mom used to work in a museum warehouse. Art going to “El museo de bellas Artes” in Buenos Aires (The Museum of Beaux-Arts) would stop there to be restored, cleaned up, etc.

I would spend hours there surrounded with magnificent works of art. As a child I was in awe of all that beauty, and I wanted to do something like that. I took drawing lessons, and I was the youngest student. I learned how to make portraits using charcoal, pastel and pencils.

The first folk art painting that I saw was the work of Molina Campos, an Argentinean folk artist. My mom and I were great fans of his art. I love a variety of styles but I am always captured by the simplicity and beauty of naïve painting, and, in this season of my life, it’s what I feel drawn to do.

(photo used by permission. © Adriana Whitney)

* what are your favorite mediums and/or tools to use?

Acrylic paints, pencils, charcoal, Loew-Cornell brushes (yes, they are cheap but I love them), deep edge canvases and crackle medium

* what is your favorite time to create?

Night is my favorite time because it’s the only time I get to be by myself, and everybody else sleeps. Being a home school mom with 3 very young daughters doesn’t give me a lot of free time to paint during the day.

(photo used by permission. © Adriana Whitney)

* what are your dreams for your folk art business?

In the future I would like to have my own folk art gallery. I am already making plans and praying about it, but I always have to give it up to God and see what His plans are for me and my family. The Lord did great things in my life, things that I couldn’t even imagine or dream. So His plans are better than mine as Ephesians 3:20 says, “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us”

* how do you manage family and your business?

I don’t work that much during the day. I usually work at night when they sleep so they don’t even feel it. If I have to do something during the day I will make them participate or find something else for them to do after I spend time with them.

My husband is very supportive of my work. I think he is my biggest fan, and he helps me A LOT with the house and the girls. My house is always clean, organized, and there is always good food on the table (he likes to cook too!)

* any advice for beginning folk artists?

In the business aspect, I can recommend to check out Val’s art diary art tips. I used them and they were great to start my business online.

In the artistic aspect, you need to believe in yourself, hope for good things but be ready for rejection. Artists deal with rejection very often. When a piece doesn’t sell, a gallery sends you a rejection letter, or your favorite artist snubs you, we take it personally because our work is an expression of ourselves. So you need to find your identity in Jesus and not in your art. If something doesn’t sell, move on quickly, keep creating and pray, pray, pray.

(photo used by permission. © Adriana Whitney)

* tell us about how you've "met with" Jesus through your art.

I have created many pieces guided by Him, inspired by His love, care, power, compassion, and salvation. Even when I paint my ladies, most of the time I try to hide something of His character in the painting, the beauty of His creation, the meaning of the colors or symbolism.

When we create a work of art we are expressing His power (He is the creator!). Look at Romans 1:20. It says that God’s “invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead”.

I know He filled me with my skill (and every artist too), and He cares about art. When God was giving instructions for building the Tabernacle he said, "See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship, to devise artistic designs…” So I feel guided and supported by Him.

*would you share a tip with us, please???

I made a video with some instructions about working with crackle medium It is on Youtube, and I also have some fast motion paintings on my Youtube channel.

Thank you so much for having me I hope the best for you.

Adri

***Thank you so much, Adri! I know that I've been thoroughly encouraged by your sweet spirit and dependence on Jesus. I hope those of you visiting today will take the scripture and wisdom that's been shared to heart. God's best to all of you- Himself!