Female Artists to Follow on Instagram
This list includes women who are part of the Girls That Create Creator Spotlight series. It features visual artists creating on their own terms, from muralist ZuZu Perkal to the creative alchemist, artist, storyteller, writer, and facilitator Sarah Greenman.
Female Creator Spotlight Artists to Follow on Instagram
Sarah Greenman
The arts have always been a part of Greenman. This painter, playwright, and activist spent hours with her maternal grandmother, a watercolorist in a small attic studio as a child. Her grandfather built the sacred room because he knew it was important for his wife to have her own space. That tradition has continued, with Greenman now having a studio behind her own home in Oregon. Its name is “The Little Shed That Could.”
@sarah.greenman.creative
Dr. Valerie Gillespie
Gillespie is an independent curator and gallerist based in Dallas. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of New England in Portland and curatorial practice from New York University. Gillespie currently is the Director of Fine Arts at the Winston School and owner of Pencil on Paper Gallery in Dallas. Some of her recent exhibitions include curatorial projects with the 500X Gallery in Dallas, The Other Art Fair, The Beachum Family Collection, The Martin Museum, Southern Methodist University, and the Texas Visual Arts Association. @pencilonpapergallery
Kate Allan
Bestselling author and illustrator Allan put out the perfect book for 2020. Titled You’re Strong, Smart, and You Got This: Drawings, Affirmations, and Comfort to Help with Anxiety and Depression, the work blends sunshine drawings and powerful words. The book not only provides a supportive voice for readers when they’re overwhelmed, but it is also a gentle reminder we should treat ourselves with more kindness.
@thelatestkate
Claire Morales
Morales LOVES the color yellow. The musician, graphic designer, and illustrator made this evident with her “Immersed In Song” design for KXT 91.7, a non-commercial radio station in North Texas. Morales believes art can change our mood and brighten life, and she seeks to do this with her work.
@clairemoralesdesign
Christine Anne Nightingale
Images, not words, are how artist Nightingale learned to express herself. Born in Santiago, Chile, Nightingale moved with her family to the United States at age 14. Her mother, uncle, and paternal grandmother were all painters. Throughout high school, she continued pursuing an interest in painting.
@christinenightingale_art
Sheila “She” Keene
Growing up, mixed-media artist Keene noticed a lack of women leaders in her small town. She did not see female CEOs, politicians, or business owners. A young girl was expected to graduate from high school, marry, start a family, or go to college to study nursing or teaching. Years later, this void would inspire Keene to launch A Girl Like Me. Through the platform, she sells mixed-media art that encourages young girls and teens to pursue their dreams and break barriers. @agirllikemeart
Scarlett Baily
Baily is a Mexican-American visual artist who draws inspiration from El Paso, Texas. Her grandmother’s wild cactus-covered backyard is where she has always felt safe. The stars above Texas, the border landscape, and past exchanges with her family are the memories she incorporates into her work. For Baily, painting is about expressing herself to an audience through the lens of culture and identity.
@scarlettbaily
ZuZu Perkal
Perkal first arrived in Austin to pursue an advertising degree at the University of Texas. After graduation, Perkal spent several years working at various creative agencies and organizations before realizing her dream of becoming a full-time visual artist and muralist. She is also a yoga instructor and serves on the Board of Directors for HOPE Campaign, a nonprofit organization supporting visual artists and musicians through community programming and projects. @zuzubee
Jan Riggins
From a young age, 3D chalk artist Riggins knew art was in her essence. She had grown up in a home filled with creations by her mother, a prolific artist who painted a Christmas card for every person on her list, and a grandmother who sculpted and worked with watercolors. Although Riggins focused mainly on music in her youth, she dabbled in drawing and working with colored pencils. But it was not until she came across an ad for the Fort Worth Chalk Art Festival that Riggins realized her work could show on the streets. @janrigginsart
Jennifer Orkin Lewis
Lewis fulfills many different creative roles as an artist, illustrator, author, and teacher. As seen on August Wren, Lewis’s predominately nature-inspired paintings have been featured in collaborations with Anthropologie, Kate Spade Home, Seattle Chocolate, and more. @augustwren
Rebecca Moses
Moses is an American fashion designer, illustrator, and author based in New York City. In 2010, she began working on illustration projects for Italian Vogue and other global publications, such as Vogue Japan, Icon, and Marie Claire. Moses then shifted her fashion career to painting and illustration for fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands. @rebeccamosesofficial
Creator Spotlight features interviews with artistic women/girls and showcases their work. If you know an artist you’d like to see spotlighted, email Erin at erin(at)girlsthatcreate(dot)com.
Top photo by Cristian Dina from Pexels
