Born and raised in Memphis, Hillary Butler recalls a simple but magical childhood filled with time spent outdoors with siblings and neighbors, imaginative play, and lots of art! Backed by supportive parents, she took every art class possible and chose art as her major when she started at the University of Memphis. However, she ended up graduating with degrees in English Literature and Art History.
“My dad was surprisingly sad when I dropped art as a major,” she says. “Most parents would have been relieved that their daughter chose a ‘real’ career path, but I carried that as a huge sign of approval for the inevitable art career that I chose.” Meet our creative new FACE of Memphis, abstract artist Hillary Butler!
What drew you to art in general?
Well, funny you ask. I remember drawing a picture of what I thought Italy looked like for a Memphis in May prompt in second grade. With the confidence of an elementary kid, I fell in love with my own drawing and decided that I loved art right then and there! You have to laugh at the level of hubris in this story, but we all still need a level of inner kid confidence today, don’t we?
What attracted you to creating abstract art?
I trained in portraiture and representational art, and after years of painting the world as it was, I decided I wanted to try my hand at painting the world as it could be. I’ve really enjoyed that challenge.
How did your career path lead you to becoming a full-time artist?
Well … When I graduated with my English degree, I felt a little lost. I taught English in a Memphis city school for a whopping four months and then worked as an admin assistant until I could figure out my next step. The economy crashed in ‘08, and I couldn’t find other work, so I went back to school to get a graphic design degree and added graphic design to my admin job.
I did that for five years until I realized I couldn’t work in an office any longer. I needed to spread my wings creatively. I took a giant leap of faith and quit to pursue my dream of being a full-time artist. That was 13 years ago, and I haven’t looked back!
What has been your biggest challenge in pursuing art as a career?
Oh, most definitely having to wear all the hats. As a professional artist in today’s world, you have to be the creator, marketer, accountant, studio manager, social media manager — the list goes on. I have days where it is just too much, but I love the challenge of running my own business and being the only one setting ceilings for myself.
What do you love most about being a visual artist?
I think it’s creating a world for myself and inviting others to come join me in it. It’s the visual representation of how I see the world around me, and it’s been exciting to see that world morph and change over the years and have so many join me on that journey.
What inspires your art?
Color palettes, for sure. I see them everywhere — in my paint cups, on my own paint palette, on outfits I see walking by. I start with color, and then the design follows.
If you had to describe your artistic brand, what three words would you choose?
I like to describe my pieces as “Colorful Canvas Soirées.” Each of my pieces is like an elevated party for your walls!
Tell us some of the amazing places where your art has been featured!
I’m honored to have my work on ABC’s hit show, Nashville, and to have the opportunity to show at Agora Gallery in New York. Several hit blogs have featured some HB work, including Better Homes and Gardens, Domino, and Design Love Fest.
My art can be found at Hillary Whitaker Gallery in Ponte Vedra, FL, Squirrel Manchester in Vermont, and Bee Street Gallery in Dallas. I’ll be part of a group show this summer at Shain Gallery in Charlotte, NC.
Where can we find you when you aren’t working?
We are super involved with our church, Eastside Community, so we spend much of our time with our church family. Both of our families are in town, so we see them a lot. We love having friends over for dinner or doing park meetups. I also adore our neighborhood Y. I’m there several times a week doing HITT class with my favorite workout buds. I leave all my stress out on that gym floor.
What is your best piece of advice?
Good things take TIME. I once heard it best said that a grand opening is really the grand finale of years of work. It’s so easy to see the articles and features and think that big things just happened. That couldn’t be further from the truth. There is no overnight success. Whatever goals you have in life, it’s going to take a lot of time and care to get there.
Also, take care of your relationships and yourself. Career success means nothing if you’ve ignored those last two along the way.
Name three things you can’t live without.
My podcasts, my books, and trips. Life is too short not to have little things to look forward to!
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