Meet the Artist:

Interview with Cortney Herron

Cortney Herron is a contemporary figurative painter, whose work is characterized by bold yet calming color palettes that bring a sense of tranquility and peace to the viewer. Her use of organic forms and shapes creates a sense of connectedness we as a people have to the natural world.

Where are you in your creative journey? How did you get there?

I’m coming up on 1 year as a full-time artist and I honestly didn’t think I’d ever be here. I always knew being an artist was the main goal, but getting let go from my traditional “day job” definitely catalyzed that reality. And it was the best thing that’s ever happened to me. So now that I’m able to basically dedicate my whole life to being an artist, I’m not only focused on building a brand for myself, but equally, creating art that I love. The more time that I’ve been able to put into my craft, the better the results – I’ve met so many new people and artists, I’m gaining more exposure, I’m more confident in putting myself out there, etc. And most importantly, I’m falling in love with the work I’m creating. My art has changed quite a bit over the years, but I’m certain it’s because I’ve changed and grown as a person. So the more I continue to pour into myself, the more I’m able to have a deeper connection to my art and creativity (and it’s a pretty awesome feeling!).

Has community impacted your artlife and style? If so, how so?

Absolutely! It’s been refreshingly surprising to see how much of an impact community has had on my life. Thanks to social media, I have discovered so many new, amazing artists, which is incredibly inspiring. Early on, doing art on the side while working in the corporate world, I felt like I was just creating art for social media or stuff that just looked cool. So I know I wasn’t truly in touch with my highest potential. But over the years, discovering so many new, up and coming artists, it allowed me to really take a step back and figure out my own style. Because it can be so easy to copy what everyone else is doing, especially when you see others thriving, but that’s just not genuine. So seeing other artists doing their own thing gave me the confidence to do mine. And eventually, you realize that your art may not be for everyone. But that’s okay! And thanks to community, I’ve not only been able to embrace my own artistic visions but also feel the love from those who resonate with it. To me, community is what provides us the tools to both connect with others and thrive as individuals.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting their art career?

For someone just starting their art career, my advice would be to continue to push through even when you don’t feel like it. And I’m not talking about forcing yourself to literally paint or be creative, but rather, continue to remind yourself of your bigger purpose or end goal as an artist. There will be times when things are going great and you feel like you're flourishing – and it’s during these times when it’s way easier to own and embrace yourself as an artist. But during the lows, it’s important to keep that same energy. Sales may be slow or you may have creative blocks, but it’s still important to embrace your craft and remember why you love doing what you do. The highs and lows are just a part of the process that ignite our overall creativity.

What does success in the art world look like for you?

For me, success in the art world looks like having my art represented on a grand scale to be seen by as many people as possible. From galleries to even designing murals, I want to do it all. I think that art is such a big source of inspiration for so many people – I, too, am so inspired by all of the art I see and how different artists express their creativity. It’s an amazing feeling to touch people with your art, so the more people I’m able to impact, the better!

What exciting endeavors lie ahead for you? What can our community anticipate from your future ventures, and how can they support?

I’m at a point in my career where I’m working on being more fearless. And as a proud introvert, I do understand the importance of getting out in front of people, so the future for me definitely involves more in-person shows and art fairs And through this, I hope to reach a bigger community and expand my audience. There’s so much talent and unseen art out there, so I think that if we continue to share our art and the art of others, we can impact and inspire for generations to come.