Meet Wendy Michelle Davis | Painter in Acrylics

We had the good fortune of connecting with Wendy Michelle Davis and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Wendy Michelle, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I’m nearly two years into running my own business as an artist, and I have learned a lot about the need for balance. I still sometimes pinch myself that I get to be a full-time painter. It is a dream come true, but the job can be all-consuming. By the end of last year I felt pretty exhausted from the work. As the only one running my business there are so many things to handel from, business and marketing to shows, giving workshops, and making time to create. I gave myself January to rest, reflect and plan for 2023. I realized that I was causing myself to be overwhelmed and stressed by trying to do too much, and that I needed better balance. I committed to taking more time for exercise. I try to have one day a week that I don’t work ( it doesn’t always happen, but I make an effort). I also give myself a break when I don’t get everything on my to-do list done. It’s not worth the stress. It’s helping to stick to these things, although I know finding a good balance of work and life will be something I always need make a conscious and deliberate effort to maintain..

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is who I am. It is a visual expression of the deepest parts me, thus it is a very personal thing to share my art. At first, posting my work online or putting it up for people to see was a scary thing because it almost felt like I was exposed, naked, vulnerable. It has gotten easier with time and practice, but I still hold my breath a bit when I release a new painting to the world.

I’ve been thinking about how, when I create, there is no one else making what I am making. No one sees things the way I do, or interprets things the way I do. My art is uniquely mine, which gives it value and exclusivity. I am passionate about using my skills as an artist to capture life, beauty, the moments and details that can be so fleeting, but so wonderful… in an effort to make them lasting. When the idea of a new painting starts to take shape, when all the blobs of paint start to turn into something that I love, there is nothing like it, and I am so excited to share it with anyone who cares to see it.

Challenges are real, and I believe that in the art world they are even more emotionally heightened than in other work arenas because art is so personal to the artist. I think my biggest challenge as a working artist is the fear of rejection. And if you’re an artist, you’ve known rejection, whether it be a rejection letter to a show you really hoped to get into, or just people walking by your booth without more than a glance at your work. It’s hard, and it can be hard to overcome that desire to self deprecate when I feel rejected. “I’m not good enough. Nobody cares about what I do.” But, I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way) that there is no good in allowing myself to sink into a mindset of self pity and rejection. I can’t say I’ve mastered it, but I tend to focus more on the good stuff, the positive reactions to my art, the sales, the acceptance letters. I know my art is good, some of it very good, but it’s not for everyone. Maybe someone else’s art is for those people.

I’m excited for this year and all the possibilities! I am gearing up for spring art shows in Texas. I have several coming up in some smaller towns and in and around Dallas. I love meeting people that come out to these events, hearing their stories, and their reactions to my work. I’m also excited about creating more art. I’ve started a new series based on a plethora of photos I’ve collected from traveling. Moments captured. Beautiful scenes. Places that captivate me and make me wish I was back in them. This series is stretching me a bit because I’m painting some things I rarely, or have never painted. It’s good for me, and I love what is coming from it already.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Waco is really thriving and more amazing business are popping up all the time. I love the outdoors so we would definitely do some hiking in Cameron Park, and maybe a picnic by Lake Waco another day.
For food I would be sure to take her to Union Hall a couple times because there are so many great options there. Breakfast would be Cafe Cappuccino and Magnolia Table. Lunch, definitely J Petal for Poke Bowls and Revival for burgers and salads. Dinner, I would make reservations at Cafe Homestead or Diamondbacks. Oh, and I would also try to squeeze in Helberg Barbecue out in Valley Mills.
For art and culture I’d take her to Cultivate 7Twelve gallery downtown, The Art Center and the Susan L Sistrunk Fine Art Gallery. I’d also love to take her to Stay Classy for a cocktail and live music, and The Backyard for some live music too.
And, we can’t forget the Silos. I simply love walking around there. It’s always landscaped so beautifully.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many individuals and groups who have played a part in my story as an artist and I am deeply grateful. The organization I want to give a shout-out to is Creative Waco, a nonprofit artist-support organization in my hometown Waco, Texas. At the start of Covid, my position as an adjunct instructor went away because of lack of student attendance at the college level. I began working as a full-time floral designer, which I enjoyed, but it allowed almost no time for art. And there is a definite void in my life if I can’t create. So, as Covid ramped-up I took a 6 month artist-mentorship course with Creative Waco called Greenhouse. It is definitely what pushed me into being a working artist, by giving me tools to start such as considering the practical/business side of it all. It helped bring me into the art community and made me realize I was not alone in my plight. Thank you Creative Waco!

Website: https://www.wendymichelledavis.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wendy_michelle_davis/?hl=en

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/artistwendymichelledavis/

Other: https://pin.it/6qD3DnJ

Image Credits
Photos taken myself.