Rising Stars: Meet Swhitey Art

Today we’d like to introduce you to Swhitey Art.

Hi Swhitey, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Ever since I can remember, I’ve found great serenity and purpose through artistic expression. As an only child, though very blessed with loving, supportive parents, growing up I’d find myself lonely, while also experiencing random bouts of diagnosed depression. Painting, drawing, mixed media pursuits, and crafting came naturally to me, and have always been my escape. I also find that art influences my spirituality, that while creating I feel a sense of connectedness to my Higher Power (which I call God).

Pursing my craft throughout childhood into adulthood, I graduated from the College of Charleston in 2016 with my BA in Studio Art. Since, I’ve continued to paint and draw, but have implemented more mixed media, collage techniques, resin pour, jewelry making, and clothing design/production with my art on it.

In 2017, I decided I wanted to make my art more attainable and influential. From this, I turned it into a brand, coming up with a name, logo, and retaining an LLC. “Swhitey Art” (pronounced swhy-tea) was the move, because “Sarah White Art”…. it’s too basic. I wanted something unheard of. I thought Swhitey was cool, being a nickname that stuck from my art classes in college.
The logo is a diamond with my artwork filling the positive space. I chose this for a variety of reasons. One, diamonds, gemstones, and shiny objects are one of my biggest inspirations and can often be found in my work. Two, diamonds are visually interesting, recognizable, and just make for good logo material. Three, diamonds represent my brand’s message.

I’ll explain. My art is busy, colorful, chaotic, and unique. Every single shape, color, and line is chosen, created. And regardless of their differences, they each play a part. This represents human individuality. All of us exist within the bounds of chaotic Earth with not one fingerprint, person, nor purpose being the exact same. I hope to empower people’s hearts and minds over the fact that they too are created and chosen. Their version of self is like a diamond, rare and unique.

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?
A challenge that comes to mind has been finding “my thing” as an artist…the formulation of a style. This has developed over time through trial and error, practice, patience, creativity, influences, and inspiration. From there, it was accepting my style and committing to it. Living in a Southern town as Charleston, my wild, highly saturated, abstract work typically isn’t what people jump at the opportunity to buy for their lowcountry homes. Sticking to who I am as an artist and not compromising my style/subjects to fit more of what’s in demand around me has been difficult. You work hard, spend a mini fortune on supplies, and pour your soul out on a surface to possibly not make a sale. But, hey, that’s the life of an artist! No one asked you to do it, and refraining from self-pity and comparison to others is key. Because it’s not about the money, but the fact I get to create and express, gaining peace and joy that I was created to create. When I view it as a gift given to me to enjoy and bless other people with, instead of seeing it as a job to stress over, it’s freeing and an opportunity to honor my higher power. My day job as a barista keeps the food on the table and the paints on the canvas, and I’m grateful for that.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As mentioned, my art is known to be more abstract, expressive, colorful, busy, and unique. “Controlled Chaos” is what I call my most well known body of work. I typically use a variety of mediums. These consist of oils, acrylics, ink & paint pen, as well as ink sprays, craft supplies, streamers, fake flowers, and/or dismembered costume jewelry. I am inspired by surfaces of light reflection, sparkles, diamonds, crystals, slimy things, wet subjects, bizarre shapes, busy lines, color, and all things textured. My artistic process differs in rendering from imagination, still life objects, and photographs.

As I’ve grown Swhitey Art as a brand, you see this explosion of color, texture, and chaos leak into the jewelry, hats, shirts, and bags. This year I’ve picked up resin, creating more jewelry, wall art, see-through purses, patches for merchandise, and more.

What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was a well-behaved, loving child. Justa sweet, kiss-ass kid that wanted to keep the peace. I was obsessed with animals, especially dolphins, my friends, my parents, lava and glitter lamps, rainbows, Nintendo, and cartoons (Sponge Bob and Sailor Moon were BAE). After being diagnosed with extreme ADD and a processing disorder, I worked very hard to get good grades and do my best. I never wanted to disrupt order or cause disruption, so it was challenging for me to be the kid who always asked questions and took forever to finish tests and school work. I always got barked at for doodling. When it came to art, I was in my element. With art, I could express myself in a way that made sense and came naturally. I never wanted to stop. Art has always been my muse.

Contact Info:

• Website: SWHITEYART.com
• Instagram: swhitey_art
• Facebook: SwhiteyArt
• Venmo: Swhitey_Art

Image Credits
Taylor Czerwinski
Scott Itrich
Michael Wilson