Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Winterburn
Hi Beth, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I received my Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art in 2002 from the University of Tennessee. During my time as an undergraduate student, I’d begun my studies in the architecture department. At UTK, the architecture students share a building with the art students, and the interior of the building is wide open, making it easy to view all of the activities and classes taking place at any moment. After an overwhelming semester in architecture, I knew quickly that I didn’t belong in that section of the building. I’d been longingly observing the other areas of the building, as the fine art students carried large canvases from studio to studio wearing paint-covered overalls, but I also wasn’t quite sure enough yet in my abilities as to claim fine arts as a major. Since my parents had so generously offered to pay my way through college, I felt that I needed to choose something more traditional that might guarantee a job immediately after graduating. And so, I decided to try my hand at art education. That brief semester made it even more clear to me that I was simply complicating things even further, so after a bit of a rollercoaster ride, I finally landed in the fine arts department.
After graduating, I spent a short while as a photojournalistic photographer, until a new job in a new city forced time away from all creativity. For a handful of years, I didn’t create much of anything; however, after I’d had my oldest child, I began diving back in, bit by bit. It started again with photography, but after struggling to create a realistic schedule that included childcare, I decided to pull out old art school materials and see where they led. Long story short, and a bunch of experimenting with materials later, I finally landed on painting as an outlet. I had never planned to paint professionally, but after a series of requests from strangers and friends who’d seen my work, a business was born. I’ve now been painting professionally for almost 10 years.
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?
Ha! Absolutely not. There have been plenty of highs and lows along the way. One challenge that quickly comes to mind has been the intensely shifting nature of marketing/social media. When I first started out, social media was much more organic. There wasn’t an algorithm to compete with, and everybody out there doing what I was doing was “for” one another in a way that they aren’t able to be now. I know we all have versions of the “glory days”, and those early days of instagram were definitely that for me and my business. The algorithm has taken the fun out of social media for many artists/business owners, and rather than instagram being a wonderful tool to utilize, it’s taken on its own full-time requirements. Navigating that space is constant for many of us. That being said, I’m grateful to have a committed e-mail subscriber following, and I particularly enjoy taking care of those who have so generously shared their email addresses with me. I don’t take that privilege lightly! A major part of any self-lead industry is deciding where your time matters most. I’d rather be creating new work and sharing it with an audience who is excited about it along with me!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an abstract painter, working primarily with inks and acrylics. My work tells a story of interpersonal dynamics in color, shape, line and texture. I utilize my materials to create a record of memories as well as a journal of future aspirations. My own journey consisting of hills and valleys, I desire to display a tension of longing, acceptance, conflict and serenity in my work. I see my work as a language that speaks on my behalf, communicating a history and present reality of the complexities of human relationships. My desire to influence the future with transparency and vulnerability lends to my effort to leave many of my marks and paint strokes to themselves, allowing and encouraging them to speak. I use line and color to bring cohesion and connectivity to seemingly unrelated gestures. I’m highly motivated by process and often find it difficult to get to the end of a piece. My interest lies more in the collected moments that lead to an end, much as in relationships that evolve over time.
I’m proud that my work has been featured on HGTV’s Property Brothers and in such print publications as The Koronette, Fanique Magazine, Maker’s Movement, At Home Memphis & Mid-South as well as in various online publications including Orlando Soria, I AM THE LAB and Style Blueprint. I’ve worked with various designers throughout the U.S. including Reagan Hayes, Julie Couch, Lori Paranjape, Sabbe Interior Design, Lindsey Black Interiors and more. I’ve also participated in various shows throughout the south including The Beacham Art Series, ArtsMemphis: Unfolding – The Next Chapter in Memphis, Four Knowledge II – Crosstown Arts and Young Collectors Contemporary.
Also, my work has been sold at Anthropologie.com, Crate and Barrel, West Elm, Arhaus, Wonderwall Studio and Saatchi Art and has been featured in various collections. I’ve also sold internationally via Zeuxis Art in Paris, France.
My work has been shipped all over the world. The biggest honor for me is repeat collectors. To know that there are collectors out there who have pieces of mine throughout these nearly 10 years of painting is a humble privilege. It always makes my day to see a familiar name come across my path.
What matters most to you? Why?
It sounds so cliche, but it’s true: my faith, my family and my friends. Having been through some very dark days in recent years, I don’t know how I’d still be standing if it weren’t for all three. My mind never stops, so at the end of the day, believing in more beyond myself is essential – that there are larger purposes for this life and promises for the future than I’m even aware of, keeps me grounded and hopeful. My family is a constant source of inspiration and motivation for me. My three kids are all artists in their own ways – my oldest just began her own Fine Arts career this fall at the University of Tennessee. My son has a natural ability to push the limits and come up with his own methods of creating. He combines a love of engineering with his enjoyment of fine arts, leading to his creating truly unique (and mind-blowing!) creations. My youngest has recently taken up textile arts and always has her yarn and crocheting needles in her lap, coming up with her own designs and patterns. My oldest sees the world through an artist’s eyes, inadvertently reminding me to “see” and be open to seeing beauty in the simplest of things. Her love of every medium and her perseverance to achieve the goals that she sets for herself in her own work are truly inspiring to me. I love seeing how she records the world and her experiences through her own work. My husband was a music major, and his ability to dissect a piece of music and then relay that in a way that’s easier to understand reminds me of my years in art school, learning about and studying the masters. My family is extremely supportive of my career and has made various sacrifices over the years that allow me to continue on in this industry. My friends are a constant support as well – showing up to celebrate a collection or helping to promote the latest pieces that I’ve made. They’re frequently asking me about the “why’ behind a new body of work, helping keep those wheels primed and oiled in my mind, encouraging me to continue to make, even when my motivation is sorely lacking. All of these combined keep me in the game, so to speak. I’d be lying if I didn’t think about quitting from time to time, but just when I’m down, I get a boost from any one of these avenues.
Pricing:
- 48×60: $3350
- 48×48: $2695
- 36×48: $2245
- 40×40: $2075
- 36×36: $1645
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bethwinterburn.com
- Instagram: @beth_winterburn
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beth.winterburn
- Twitter: @beth_winterburn
Image Credits
Ashleigh Coleman Photography (studio photo only)
