Meet Gwendolyn Godfrey | Artist, Creative, Educator

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

Hi Gwendolyn, what do you attribute your success to?
Success feels relative to me because I’m always reaching for the next thing. I saw a quote recently that said, “I’m aiming so high I keep forgetting I’m already living my dream,” and it hit me hard. A lot of the things I’m doing now were once just ideas I hoped would work out. What’s kept me going, and what I think makes my work feel like a success, is that I keep dreaming. I don’t stay stuck in one version of the future. I make new goals, follow what excites me, and stay open to where things might lead.

More than anything, I think it comes down to mindset. I’ve learned that you have to believe something good is ahead in order to get there. Staying positive about what’s possible has been vital.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My art is deeply personal, it’s rooted in emotion, in color, and in the strength of femininity. A lot of my work explores the tension between vulnerability and power, softness and boldness. I create portraits and large-scale pieces that hold space for feeling, sometimes layered, sometimes joyful, but always real.

One thing that sets my work apart is how I use color to express emotion. I’m always thinking about the relationship between the two. How the colors I choose might contrast with the feeling I want the subject to emit. That tension creates a kind of visual dialogue. I want people to feel something when they look at my work, even if they can’t quite name it.

Getting to where I am now has taken time, consistency, and a lot of trust in myself. It hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve genuinely loved the process. Every new challenge has pushed me to grow, and I’ve built something I’m proud of. There’s always more to learn and I’m excited about that. Alongside my art, I am a graphic designer and professor. Teaching what I love to do is another way where I get to grow, share, and stay creatively energized.

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that you have to trust your pace. Success doesn’t look one way. It’s not about how fast things happen or how loud the wins are. Sometimes it’s quiet. Sometimes it’s just showing up for your work, even when no one’s watching. You have to learn to love the process just as much as the results.

What I want people to know about me and my work is that everything I do comes from a place of intention. Whether I’m painting, designing, or teaching, I care deeply about creating things that feel honest. My story is still unfolding, and I’m proud of the direction it’s headed.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love this question! I live in Riverside, CA, and if my best friend came to visit for a week, I’d definitely want to give them the full experience, good food, creativity, and great vibes.

We’d kick things off with a Saturday morning stop at Arcade Coffee, then walk through the downtown farmers market. It’s the perfect slow start to the day, great coffee, local vendors, and that creative energy that just puts you in a good mood. For lunch, we’d go get burritos (my favorite food) at El Habanero or grab some seriously good food from Arayaki Hibachi (undeniably the best food truck in SoCal).

Afternoons would be a mix. One day we’d head out to a winery in Temecula and soak up the views. Another day, we’d take a drive out to LA to visit the Mr Brainwash Art Museum or The Broad, both of which never fail to leave me inspired. In between, we’d probably check out some galleries, find a few hidden gems, and maybe hit the beach for a sunset walk.

Evenings are all about winding down right, and my go-to is W. Wolfskill. My favorite cocktail bar in Riverside. It is laid back, always a great playlist going, and is full of creative people. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to sketch something on a napkin or start your next big idea.

Honestly, the whole week would be about good conversation, creative sparks, and exploring places that remind me why I love where I live.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Every good story has a lot of people behind it, and mine is no different. I want to thank my parents first, for always supporting me and trusting the direction I’ve taken, even when it wasn’t the most conventional path. My mentor, Christopher K. Wright, has pushed me to chase my dreams and just go for it. Doug Lemen showed me what a full, creative life can look like, and my high school art teacher, Tim Ellis, gave me a foundation that I still lean on today.

I’m grateful to the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) for introducing me to a larger creative community and giving me a space to grow. California Baptist University also played a big role in my journey, through the professors, alumni, and opportunities I found there.

As for books, Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon and Do Good Design by David Berman really changed how I think. They reminded me that creativity is about more than just making things, it’s about making meaning.

Website: https://gwengodfrey.art/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gwengodfrey.art

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gwen-godfrey/

Other: Professional Website: https://gwengodfrey.com/