Today we’d like to introduce you to Bailey Jordan Warner.
Hi Bailey, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I was born and raised in Bowling Green, KY., in an environment of art, music, reading, photography, dance, academics, athletics, travel, and other activities. I inherited a lot of my artistic ability from my dad and creativity from my mom. My mother tells the story of when I was a preschooler, she walked in to find me drawing a magazine cover. I apparently drew not only the designs on the cover, but “drew” the words in their various fonts. I could not read at that point but saw the entire magazine cover as art to copy. I always have been very fortunate to have a family who supports my art explorations. My parents made sure I experienced a new form of art at every possible opportunity.
I continue to live in Bowling Green with my husband, Chase Warner, where I keep expanding my art skills. After working with Ellis Walker Gallery during college, I landed a job with the Warren County Public Library, where they utilized my skills to teach a wide variety of art classes to various age groups in our community. From paint-and-sips to adult art classes, to children’s art classes, there was a wide range of ages and backgrounds to teach the craft I love so much.
My current position with Bowling Green-Warren County Community Education also uses my art skills. I design both digital and print publications for the agency. I am fortunate that they value my art and incorporate it into their presence both online and on paper.
My work has been exhibited in many juried and group exhibitions, including Ellis Walker Gallery, the Kentucky Museum, Nashville’s Tomato Art Festival, Love Art Gallery, and the Women in Arts Exhibition, as well as in solo exhibits in the Warren County area.
I continue to create commission works for my personal clientele, create art for exhibitions and shows, and create art for mass consumption through prints of selected pieces of my work at www.bailey-jordan-warner-art.my-free.website.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Not necessarily. My artwork is always varying and evolving. That seemed to be problematic with many of my art professors, who felt that I should be establishing a personal style that would be easily recognizable. However, I love so many different styles and media that I could not limit my art to a particular type. A common thread through much of my art is that is often centered around mental health.
It wasn’t even until I started focusing on the subject to help others, that I realized I sometimes struggle with mental health myself. The art world can be very competitive and stressful at times but throwing myself into my art and visualizing my experiences has been therapeutic in ways for me.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a two-time graduate of Western Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a focus on visual studio art.
I primarily use acrylics or graphite; however, I am constantly trying out other media in order to best present the ideas I have about the world around us. The message of each piece determines which medium I use, as differing media communicate distinctly. Those media include watercolor, fumage, silverpoint, and digital art. Each creation is drawn from my past experiences, which is why my subjects and content are everchanging, setting me apart from others.
Art, to me, is all about making connections. If you have ever fallen head over heels for a piece of art but couldn’t really explain why, that’s the “click” I aim for in each piece – each in a different, new way. I have never been stuck on one specific style and I believe I can provide that “click” for more people because of that.
I’m most proud of the works that ignite viewers to reach out to me and say “I absolutely understand this one. I’ve felt it”. Knowing that I was able to create a visual of an exact feeling that many feel but might be afraid to talk about is one of the most satisfying parts of being an artist.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out.
I truly believe everyone can be an artist. There is an old proverb that says, “If you can walk, you can dance; if you can talk, you can sing.” I always felt like it was missing one more part: if you can write, you can draw. It doesn’t have to be the most realistic thing you’ve ever seen for it to be considered art, and I think that is where everyone’s hesitation is.
Practice makes progress, meaning you might not be at your desired level of art overnight but keep persisting and it will improve with each stroke. Doodle, look up tutorials online and take local art lessons, and any kind of practice will be worth it in the long run.
Pricing:
- Digital Prints – $25-$113 depending on size
- Canvas Prints – $90-$195 depending on size
- Commissions – vary based on medium and size
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bailey-jordan-warner-art.my-free.website/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/baileyjordan_art/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/baileyjordanart
