Today we’d like to introduce you to Ardith Goodwin.
Ardith, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
If you had asked me 16 years ago if I would be a full time working artist today, I would have chuckled. I was at the height of my teaching career with a Master’s in Education, but sadly and soon after, had to face the reality of giving up that career and going on full disability because my body was a bit shot. Facing multiple surgeries, I visited the library and checked out books on watercolor painting, which I had no experience in, I just loved the colors. I quickly found that I had a gift for it and began painting and drawing as part of my therapy. Through the course of 20+ surgeries, I turned to art to help process the challenging journey and pain, and realized just how created I was for the gift of creativity. Today, I am no longer on disability, am a full time working artist who travels globally offering creativity and painting workshops, and paints full time from my studio in Mobile, Al. Boston is on my list of places to bring my workshops to because of the deep history and story which fills its part of our journey. As a completely self-taught artist, I have had the great fortune of working hard, finding a unique visual style, and moving through the world helping others discover the power of their own creative voices.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
My artwork is designed to impact the human heart of others. Because of my medical and personal journeys, I found that my visual language was best served by the fractured line, transparent colors, dynamic movement, and connection to story. I like to call a lot of my work creative narratives, because they are inspired by my life experiences traveling, growing up along the coast, and a deep connection to the energy that moves around us, through us, and from within us. I create figurative works rich with imaginative details and a bit of oddity. I create abstracts that connect me to the colors of coastal living as well as the dynamic movement of energy and color. I also paint sports art that conveys the abstraction of the physics in movement and competition. They are all reflective of a belief I hold which is that we live amazingly imperfect lives, fractured but full of value and story. I want the viewer to look at my work and see the connection to the complexity of systems and beauty more than anything else.
Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
This is such a reality for all of us in the fine art and teaching industry. One of the biggest lessons I had to learn, especially being self-taught, was to identify the multiple revenue streams that would serve my practice and my business. Simply selling paintings was not going to meet my needs, at least not initially, so finding the other parts of my business that would generate consistent income was key. Online classes, traveling to teach, consultations, and working with corporate clients around creativity consultations were ways I could thrive financially. The key to all of it though is finding balance between the time constraints. The minute you can find a partner or team to work with who you are aligned with is golden. It is virtually impossible to thrive working alone.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My figurative works are represented by Sophiella Gallery in Mobile, Al. and you can view my abstracts and sports art on my website at www.ardithgoodwin.com. I share actively on Instagram and Facebook as well.
Contact Info:
- Address: Ardithian Arts Studio
1260 Dauphin St.
Mobile, AL 36604 - Website: http://www.ardithgoodwin.com
- Phone: 2512321015
- Email: info@ardithgoodwin.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/ardithgoodwin
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/ardithgoodwin
- Other: www.facebook.com/landofardithian
Image Credit:
Ardith Goodwin
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