[Whitney Austin](https://www.instagram.com/whitney_austin/?hl=en) is far more than just an artist, she’s a powerful Black woman with a voice and something to say. The social injustice painter is most well-recognized for her work depicting African American culture and history, with sentimental meaning behind each stroke as she brings her visions to life on the canvas. Inspired by real-life events and happenings surrounding her, the Columbus, Ohio native dedicates her art to her people and community.
Separating her artistic practice from her personal life, Austin describes herself as “very family-oriented, down-to-earth, silly, bubbly.” She states, “Most people usually see these things through my social media, I'm always goofing around, dancing with my music. I love music. Music’s a very big inspiration for me, especially when I'm creating. I’m also very emotional.”
In addition to pouring into her canvas, she also pours into my followers by uplifting them, encouraging them, and by Whitney being transparent in sharing her journey. Five years after transitioning from flight attendant to full-time artist, the world-renowned artist now reels in over $150K a month for her paintings, exuding Black Girl Magic to aspiring young females all around the nation.
Beyond paintings, Austin has her own Black Lives Matter Coloring Book Collection, with the front cover reminding folks of the unjust murder of George Floyd as we commemorate the one-year anniversary of his death. _Flaunt_ caught up with Whitney via FaceTime to discuss her love for art, quitting her day job, the power in social media, why it’s important for her to create art for black culture, getting celebrity cosigns, her forthcoming Juneteenth sale, doing paint classes for the youth, and more!
**You’re from Ohio, what brought you to Charlotte, North Carolina?**
I’ve lived here in Charlotte for 7 years, this is my second time living here. I was a flight attendant, I flew for US Airways which is now American Airlines. Long story short, I became a flight attendant when I was 23 then moved to Miami, then moved back to Charlotte. I’ve been all over the place with being a flight attendant, then 5 years ago I became a full-time artist. I love it here, this is home for now.
**When did you realize art could be a career?**
I grew up loving to draw, drawing was my first love. I was intimidated with using a paint brush. Did not want to use paint or color, I only liked pencil. I was really good at drawing all the way through high school, then really just stopped. Because you don't think you could do it full-time. I stopped doing any art right after high school, got a job like most people and put it on a back burner.
It wasn’t until I turned 26 when I got back into my art. My grandfather had passed away and I did a portrait of him to honor him. I had it on display at the funeral. A lot of people said “oh that's so good, you should get back into art.” I thought “eh, it's been 10 years since I did anything. I didn't think I was that good. 2 years later, I quit my job. It’s crazy how things happen.
**How did it feel to quit your job?**
Not going to lie, I was nervous because you bet on yourself. How much do I trust myself? For real, how far am I willing to go in order to make it work? Girl I was working my ass off: painting all day and night, trying to promote on social media. My presence online wasn’t strong at all, I only had 2K or 3K followers. These were the people I knew, who initially started to buy my art. I was selling my originals for $50.
**How much are you selling them for now?**
Now, $5K to $7K. I still can't even believe it honestly. \[sighs\]
**Was there a factor or turning point that boosted your following and career?**
That's a good question. I definitely learned how to work social media. My main thing was really being myself, being very transparent and open. Sharing my story and the reason why I'm painting, also connecting with my followers. I’d do a lot of live paintings all over the city. I started to do paint classes. With me doing paint classes and teaching others how to create art, it got really really big where I ended up doing a tour all over the United States. I went to 10 different cities, doing classes with 80 people a class. That helped me grow, but it was really me learning how to promote online, hashtags. I was doing a lot of paid ads through other Instagram pages, paying other pages to promote me. That's what allowed me to grow.
**Why the desire to dedicate your art to black culture?**
Honestly I’m obsessed with our culture, especially with me being African American versus African. Me being here in America, I always feel drawn to Africa. It’s like a clinch I’ll never relieve because there’s always that search for me to dig deeper and to have a stronger connection with my heritage. I really want African Americans to feel proud. It's unfortunate we were slaves. Even though that was hundreds of years ago, we’re definitely still clearly dealing with the effects of that.
Nonetheless with all of the craziness, being disrespected and being murdered, all these things we have to deal with, I want for them to come home, look at their wall and be refueled and proud of who they are. I want my art to give them that encouragement: I’m strong, I'm beautiful. I'm proud of my culture, I'm proud to be black, because it’s very difficult. My goal is to give them even the smallest hope, whether it’s a grown woman or a little girl. I want them to be inspired, proud, to have something on their walls to give them a feeling or emotion.
**What can we expect from your Juneteenth sale?**
Being completely transparent, I honestly feel now after all these years, we’re actually acknowledging Juneteenth. Juneteenth’s been around forever but within the past 3 or 4 years, we’re saying “this is our independence day. This is our freedom day.” Without previous print sales, I've always had them on any day. But considering Juneteenth, I’m creating art that’s even digging deeper. If I was to show you the painting I'm doing now, I'm going to a whole nother level of representing us and Africa. I'm excited to release this art between now and Juneteenth, to allow people to have affordable art they can purchase.
**What essentials do you need to paint?**
Honestly, I have to have food. I'm not picky, I love all food. I love Mexican food, I love italian food, I love Carribean food, pizza. I love food. The #1 thing that I really really need is music. Painting without music is so dry and boring. Depending on the type of music I listen to, I can always tell how that influences my art. If I listen to slow music, I’ll do nude colors or black and white. If I listen to Lil Wayne, my music is super colorful and vibrant. Depending on the type of music I listen to, it really changes the type of painting that comes out of me. Music and wine, I'll have some wine. \[laughs\]
**How does it feel to have the support of Cedric The Entertainer, Romeo Miller, Shaun King, Trina, Jessie Smollet?**
Wow. Girl, it doesn't even seem real. I’m so grateful. It’s not about if they have more money or not, because the majority of the people that buy my originals have regular jobs. Thousands, it’s not celebrities. At least not at this point. The main thing is the fact that a celebrity that’s so busy, that has all these things on their plate, notices my work. Even if they don’t buy it, just the fact that they’re taking the time from traveling and the movie scene, that they say “I love your art.” They're sending me messages like “I love your art. I want your art in my penthouse.” Wow, my art is reaching places I never imagined. Wow, I’m amazed honestly.
**Talk about doing upcoming painting classes for the youth.**
I’ll be doing the paint classes in July, beginning of August. I'm still having difficulties finding a space due to COVID. I can have it here in my studio but the number of people that want to attend, it's a blessing but it's also the issue. I'm leaning more towards hosting a paint class at a park, an outside area so people feel comfortable. We’re in a weird space right now where some people want to wear a mask, some people don't.
Clearly I didn't do any last year because of COVID, so I cannot wait to connect with people. The #1 thing that I love is to see how proud people are with what they make. A lot of paint classes are something simple, they’re doing a sunset or a butterfly. My paintings, we’re really digging in. I'm teaching them techniques. They become so proud where they really want to hang it in their kitchen. It makes me so proud that I can inspire people to be creative.
**Anything else you want to let us know?**
Stay tuned for the painting for my Juneteenth sale!
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