Tabitha Whitley
AQ is our series of hardcover catalogs celebrating extraordinary women artists. Available on Amazon. Visit the AQ Catalog Webpage to learn more.
Tabitha Whitley (featured in AQ Volume VI), born in Brooklyn, New York, is a multifaceted artist known for her vibrant paintings, luminous drawings, and bold prints. Her work delves into themes of identity, heritage, and our interconnectedness with nature. Through the use of vivid colors in her paintings, Whitley adds a dynamic layer of expression to her art.
Whitley earned her BFA in Painting from the Fashion Institute of Technology in 2009, followed by an MFA in Painting from the New York Academy of Art in 2011, where she also served as the President of the Alumni Association and on the Board of Trustees.
Her work has been widely exhibited, with notable shows including the Love Black exhibition at the Springfield Museum of Art and the Brooklyn Museum’s Brooklyn Artist Exhibition. Whitley’s art has also garnered attention in esteemed publications such as The Wall Street Journal and The Guardian.
Currently residing in her native Brooklyn, New York, Tabitha Whitley continues to pursue her studio practice, creating art that reflects her deep engagement with personal and universal themes.
www.tabithawhitley.com
What inspired you to become an artist, and how did you decide to commit to this path?
Art has always been a part of my life, starting from childhood, and over time, it became clear that it was more than just a hobby—it was who I am. As I developed my studio practice, it became an integral part of my identity. Today, I continue to create while also teaching fine art, which allows me to share my passion and grow both as an artist and educator.
Could you share the story or concept behind your recent work?
My recent body of work is a celebration of light, specifically the dappled light of spring. After the long, gray winter in New York City, the trees begin to bloom, and the sun climbs higher in the sky, creating that unique, soft light only found in spring. It’s a moment of renewal, and the energy that fills the city at this time of year is palpable.
This series of paintings and drawings focuses on figures bathed in that light, captured in parks and on stoops—spaces where people gather to soak up the warmth and vibrancy of the season. Through this work, I wanted to convey the special energy of spring, with its sense of hope, rebirth, and connection.
What role does experimentation and exploration play in your artistic practice?
Experimentation is key to my practice. I work across mediums like oil painting, drawing, and relief printmaking, each offering a different way to express mood, emotion, and form—whether through color in painting or composition and contrast in drawing.
What message do you hope your art conveys to the world?
While I don’t expect everyone to understand my work, I hope people feel a sense of optimism when they view it.
Share a mantra or favorite quote that keeps you going.
One of my favorite quotes is by Chuck Close: “Inspiration is for amateurs. The rest of us just show up and get to work.” This quote serves as a reminder to treat my studio practice with the same seriousness and discipline as any professional job.
