Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Bogard.
Hi Whitney, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
My name is Whitney Bogard born and raised in Memphis Tennessee. I am the last of three girls (LaTasha, Britney, and myself) from my mother Theresa Taylor, and (late) father Cottrell Bogard. I started drawing at the age of 5 and took my art seriously while in middle school at Mitchell Middle/High School.
I like to thank Mr. Christopher Murphy for seeing something more in me when I was in his art class while at Mitchell. That is where I started drawing for local competitions within the city and won Artist of the month my senior year of high school for the Commercial Appeal newspaper. I graduated from Mitchell high top 10% of my class and I’m a proud graduate of Tennessee State University.
While at Tennessee State University I learned so many things from art history to how to paint. I learned how to paint while in Mr. Samuel Dunson’s class during my second semester of freshmen year. Professor Michael McBride took me under his wing and became my mentor helping me become a better artist.
While at Tennessee State my work was shown in galleries, train stations, and in the school’s library. My twin Britney and I moved back to Memphis after my grandmother Ethel Stokes had a stroke to help her because we knew she wouldn’t hesitate to do the same for us. While back in Memphis I’ve been continuing my passion and love for art
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Nothing worth having comes easy. The art world is so hard to break into because it has a lot to do with who you know versus talent a lot of time. Prices for supplies were and still can be a challenge at times and finding customers who know and understand the value of art and not looking for a deal.
People don’t value artists sometimes and when you give them a price, they want to play let’s make a deal instead of paying the worth. They see a deal but don’t see that someone is going to take a loss and a lot of times it is the artist. I guess that is where the term “starving artist” comes from.
Finding partnerships or sponsorships from companies is hard because they look for a certain group instead of giving everyone a chance. It takes heart, love, and will to continue a passion that most don’t see the fruit of their labor because death is usually when an artist’s work gets really big. You know it is honestly heartbreaking
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m an artist I love Everything about art. If you go to Mitchell High School or talk to anyone who graduated from Mitchell when I was there, they would tell you I could draw and I played in the band. I was always into the arts of all forms from music to drawing. I was in the band (Mitchell Sound Machine and Tennessee State band). At TSU people thought I only painted and did sculpture.
At TSU I wanted to learn literally every form of art I could it was so important to me to be a part of all the forms to know I knew what I was doing in each one. I love painting with all of my heart and I love that I get to draw out my ideas before I put paint on top of each canvas so I’m getting the best of both worlds.
One of my personal greatest moments was when my grandma saw my work, she was so proud; the smile on her face will always be in my heart. One of my greatest professional moments was when I was asked to paint the legendary Olympic/Collegiate head Coach Ed Temple, Chandra Cheeseborough, and Wilma Rudolph painting. I met Coach Temple right before his passing and Coach Cheeseborough is a huge supporter of my mine, she has a nice collection of my work which I’m grateful for.
Ms. Melodie Stewart Mayberry has the painting of her beloved friend Wilma Rudolph. I have been so blessed to do work for NFL Jurrell Casey through the Nonprofit You Have the Power organization in Nashville. I’ve also illustrated my first book which will be coming out later this year with writer C. Terry Morris called These Very Big Feelings and I’m so excited about it.
My style is what set me apart from other artists my mindset and the way I form my idea and message through my work.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up.
My favorite childhood memory was being around family.
Went outside drawing while everyone else rode bikes and played basketball. My cousin Sonia makes jokes about it. I use to pick a tree and draw it a lot of times.
Drawing cars, flowers, Mickey Mouse and trees was my thing while growing up lol. My mom is my biggest supporter and I love giving her my work even when it wasn’t good, she made me feel like I was the best artist alive.
Pricing:
- $5000.00
- $3200.00
- $3200.00
- $2,500.00
- $3200.00
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Instagram.com/whit_artwork
