Meet Victoria White

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

Hi Victoria, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Several years ago, a serious health struggle forced me to leave my then ten-year career as a corporate lawyer. I had no plan at the time. I only knew that I could not heal and continue working as a corporate lawyer. I had to leap and hope that the net would appear. I had faith that it would, and I was ultimately right. But that pivot took a lot of soul-searching, courage, and faith.

As I was healing, I set out to create a new professional path for myself. I only knew that I wanted my new profession to be a creative one. So, during my recovery, I set the intention to explore various creative outlets and to create something every day. I wrote poems and parts of novels, played the guitar, bought cool fabrics and made clothing, shot some photography, and made collages. That habit of creating every day eventually became my whole life. I eventually sorted through all of these forms of creative expression and decided that the craft that I was most passionate about was painting portraits because I could communicate with the viewer very specifically, quickly, and deeply. I found my true passion in combining philosophy and painting to make unique portraits that reflect not only the likeness, but also the soul of my subjects. From there, I have used my entrepreneurial skills to build a profession and creative business around what I love.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
After ten years as a corporate lawyer and a life-altering health scare, I started down this creative path as part of my healing. In this unexpected detour, I discovered a profound connection between philosophy and visual art. My canvases became a stage for iconic figures – artists, musicians, thinkers, actors, and athletes – rendered in dramatic, monochromatic compositions which I attempt to make vibrate with life.

I make my artwork more than just portraits, it is an exploration of the soul of each subject. As I create each portrait, I also research the character and journey of each of my subjects through their biographies, music, and documentaries, capturing their essence with a raw intensity that comes from a deep understanding of who they are or were. I try to make the subject’s soul come through the painting through intentional choices such as composition, color, and size.

Outside of the studio, I am a passionate mentor, sharing my philosophic and artistic wisdom with the next generation. As a teacher and director at Indivisible Arts, I strive to ignite young minds with the fire of creativity, fostering a community of artists and dreamers.

I have had the honor of exhibiting my work at many prestigious events over the past year and a half, from the sun-soaked U.S. Open of Surfing, to the eclectic Beach Life Music Festival, to a huge solo exhibition at Aqua Hotel during Miami Art Week and Art Basel in Miami. I currently have a solo exhibition through September 1 at Fabrik Projects Gallery at Bergamot Station in Santa Monica, where I painted a grand piano honoring Sir Paul McCartney as the centerpiece. I am thrilled to be returning to Miami in December for another exhibition during Miami Art Week.

My philosophy, however, is to be inclusive far beyond the art world and share my art as much as I can. I believe art is for everyone, not just for galleries and collectors. That’s why I have transformed my creations into a collection of fun prints and giftables, including coasters, ashtrays, puzzles and more. I am doing my best to make art accessible to all, proving that beauty and affordability can coexist.

I am more than an artist; I am a storyteller, a philosopher and a bridge-builder. My work is a reminder that even in the darkest corners of the soul, there is always light to be found.

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 live on the border of Santa Monica and Venice Beach, in a really walkable area right on the beach. My first stop with any out-of-town visitor is always a jump in the Pacific Ocean. The ocean has been a big part of my healing, and just looking at the horizon and breathing in the negative ions from the ocean can uplift my mental state.

From there, I love biking down the strand to the Living Room at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica to watch the sunset, or going to Casa del Mar Hotel for a live piano performance and the same spectacular view. Just around the corner from me, Chef Brian at Crudo y Nudo on Main Street in Santa Monica has done a fantastic job with very simple dishes and has created a romantic sidewalk atmosphere.

I also love riding the rollercoaster and other amusement park rides at Pacific Park at the Santa Monica Pier and playing the games there. My favorite special-occasion restaurant is definitely Capo on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. I have never had a bad bite of food there. The service is top-notch and their art collection alone is worth the visit.

As far as seeing art, the Broad Museum is my favorite museum in L.A. Bergamot Station in Santa Monica is a really amazing hub for the arts just a few miles from my house, too. Bergamot has dozens of galleries all in one walkable spot. I am honored to have a solo exhibition of my work at Fabrik Projects Gallery on view through September 1 at Bergamot Station.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have not created anything in my life alone. Every piece of art I have created is the result of some extent of collaboration. All of the people that have touched my life have played a role in shaping my work. But I get the most inspiration from my students. At nonprofit Indivisible Arts and Da Vinci Rise High School, I volunteer teaching consciousness and creativity through the arts. The enthusiasm, curiosity, and fresh perspectives of the young people I mentor have profoundly influenced my journey and entire way of thinking.

Their creativity fuels my own, reminding me that the possibilities in my art are truly limitless. Rick Rubin said, “As artists, we seek to restore our childlike perception: a more innocent state of wonder and appreciation not tethered to utility or survival.” This is the invaluable gift that my students give to me, a reminder to replace preconceptions with openness and judgment with curiosity. With this mindset, I have been able to let go of my limiting beliefs and move towards my full potential.

Website: https://victoriawhitecreates.com

Instagram: @victoriawhitecreates

Facebook: @victoriawhitecreates

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Image Credits
Photos courtesy of Victoria White