Meet Wen McIntyre | Artist, Entrepreneur and Life Long Learner

We had the good fortune of connecting with Wen McIntyre and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Wen, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Like the old Kenny Rogers song goes – “Know when to hold ’em, know when to fold ’em”. I don’t know why my brain works the way it does – but I love being an entrepreneur. It’s not a choice – it’s a personality trait I can’t change. Throughout the course of my adult life, I have never been comfortable with being comfortable – I guess you could say at times I found being comfortable boring – so if an interesting prospect or opportunity crossed my path, I usually will jump on it. . If I keep whatever I’m doing or involved in exciting for myself – the world will hopefully feel the energy and want to come along for the ride.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I honestly do not have a memory of when I wasn’t creating something out of nothing. Being creatively curious, blessed with an artistic ability and drawn to the arts my entire life – I unfortunately was always discouraged by my family not to go into the arts professionally and to rather seek out a more reasonable career, because my family did not want to have to claim that they had raised a “starving artist”. So I tried and with no regrets enjoyed a successful 30+ year project management career in various technology fields and the occasional entrepreneurial ventures here and there. After a stress related health scare and priority adjustment – I finally couldn’t ignore my passions any longer and gave myself permission to change 100% of my focus and energy towards a professional art career. A decision that I am so happy to have made. Every time someone finds a connection with one of my pieces and purchases it for their own – my heart sores. Recently I made a sale to a collector located in Germany and I wanted to shout out “LOOK AT ME! I’M NOT A STARVING ARTIST”

My belief has always been that we are all born artists – whether it is our “real job”, our hobby or our passion. I honestly believe that my purpose in life is to remind everyone that we are all CREATORS and should be free to draw, paint, sing, dance and create anytime we are inspired to do so! It’s our birth right as humans – not something that should be stifled in the name of getting a “real job”. Do what you love and you will never work another day in your life! I guess what might set me apart from others is that I refuse to box myself into any one category. I don’t claim anyone specialty other than the exploration of the visual arts as a whole. Over the past few years I’ve been a painter, prior to that I drew with pencil and ink – here lately I’ve been exploring resin as a sculpting medium – just continuing being creatively curious!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh Wow – this is a tough one because the entertainment landscape of the DFW area changes so frequently. The staples would be all of the fantastic area gallery art shows and exhibits like the ones at The Blue House Too gallery in Allen, The Cotton Mill Grand Hallway Gallery sponsored by the Visual Arts League of Allen, the LAST Art Gallery in McKinney and of course all the Dragon Street Galleries in Dallas. Can’t forget the Dallas Museum of Art and of course the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Depending on the time of year – oh my gosh so many Art Fairs available to attend and not to be missed! Allen, McKinney, Plano, Richardson, Grapevine, Dallas and Ft Worth – all great art festivals (when the weather holds out).

Then we would have to find out what’s on the circuit for the live theatre in the area probably check out what’s on stage at the Allen Contemporary Theatre or venture down to Dallas to whatever is on stage at the Majestic Theatre – my all-time favorite venue. I just love live theatre – just last week I had the opportunity to enjoy Magic Mike Live:The Tour – currently in Frisco for a limited engagement.

Of course we would eat. I mean – that is what we do here in Texas! Hutchin’s or Hard 8’s Barbeque can’t go wrong. Kenny’s Wood Fired Grill on Beltline in Dallas – FANTASTIC! Fairview Farmers Breakfast & Brunch place in Allen never fails to be great!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I, first and foremost have to give a shout out to my three daughters who have been my source of inspiration and drive for the past 30 years.

Website: ArtWithWen.com

Instagram: ArtWithWen

Linkedin: Wendy M. McIntyre

Facebook: Wendy M. McIntyre