Life & Work with Whitney Ducaine of Atlanta

Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Ducaine.

Hi Whitney, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Art has always been part of my life, but I really began my journey as an artist during the COVID pandemic. I started watching YouTube videos of fluid acrylic artists and was completely captivated by the freedom of the technique. I wanted to learn everything I could, so I dove in. What began as a stress reliever and coping method during a very difficult season in my personal life slowly became something much bigger: an actual art business, with my work being sold at local events and through commissions across the country.

I was painting nearly every moment I could. If I wasn’t painting, I was learning—taking online courses, experimenting with new techniques, building a social media presence, selling at art fairs, and painting commissions. Every event has taught me something. I’ve had art fairs where I sold nearly 40 paintings, and I’ve had others where inclement weather meant barely any sales at all. Both experiences mattered.

Even when something does not go the way I hoped it would, I try to pause, take a breath, and look at it as a learning opportunity. Running an art business has pushed me to grow in my craft, but it has also led to so much personal growth. I am constantly learning how to do better, how to grow, and how to be more agile and flexible when challenges—or even failures—show up. I may completely botch a painting, or the varnish or resin may not seal correctly and the piece is ruined. And yes, I will be upset for a minute—or maybe a day!—but at heart, I am an optimist. I believe in myself, my abilities, and my skill to create what I see and feel inside. It brings me so much joy to share that with others.

I have had my artwork featured in exhibits at local hospitals and art centers, and recently one of my paintings won 2nd place at the Cumming Arts Center “Summer in the City” exhibit. It was such an honor, and very humbling, to be recognized in that way.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Doubt is the killer of creativity. Finding my niche and style was tough because it took time for my abilities to grow, but it also took time to understand how to create the specific effects and designs I was envisioning. There was a lot of trial and error. There have been plenty of times when I have created a painting and thought, “I don’t know if this is good.” Then I ask friends for their opinion, and they love it. You never know what will connect with someone or resonate with them, so all I can do is stay true to myself and create what brings me joy.

Painting is a release for me. It is a safe place to let go and just be, so I never want it to become a chore or something I feel like I “need” to do. I love the challenge of getting an idea at the most random time and then bringing it to life on a canvas or wood panel.

Even though I have been accepted into many art fairs and exhibits, I have also had my share of applications denied. That is always hard, and it can bring up doubts about whether my artwork is good enough. But every chance to share my work with others is worth it—the constructive criticism, the compliments, the conversations, and the connection.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I have two vastly different careers, and they really represent the two sides of myself: my scientific side and my creative side.
I have a bachelor’s degree in science and a master’s degree in genetic counseling. I work as a clinical account executive for a nationwide telehealth genetic counseling company, which feeds my scientific, genetics-loving, logical side. At the heart of genetic counseling is helping individuals understand their genetic risks so they can make better health decisions for themselves. It is about helping people navigate a complex field, and that has always mattered to me.

On the other hand, I also have this deep desire to create and pour my emotions into artwork in a way that does not have to be based on realism. I paint abstract designs with fluid acrylics, which is such a free-flowing medium. Even when I have a design in mind, it can change in a second, and I have to shift with it. I have to stay open and flexible as the painting evolves. That is part of what I love about it. No two pieces are ever exactly the same.

Interestingly, the process of making my acrylic paints into fluid acrylics is also very scientific. By understanding pigment and brand densities, I can plan the specific effects and details I want in my paintings. I also taught myself different ways to seal my work, including varnish and epoxy resin. Both methods can be very finicky and difficult to use, so learning how to seal a painting without ruining it has definitely been its own adventure.

I love to learn new things, and both my artwork and the field of genetics are always changing. I am self-taught as an artist, and I continue to learn techniques that enhance my work, such as texture paste, spray paint, and heavy 3D acrylic paint.

Over the years, I have learned that to truly feel fulfilled, I need to nurture both sides of myself. This self-realization has allowed me to embrace my creativity and thrive in both my passions!

What does success mean to you?
Every time I sell a painting, it feels like a success. Each commission and each piece I create pushes me to further develop my technique and hone my signature style. When someone sees one of my paintings and recognizes it as mine, that is the kind of success I am working toward. To me, success is not just about sales—it is about growth, connection, and creating artwork that feels unmistakably like me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.whitneysartwork.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitneysartwork/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whitneysartwork01