Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitney Orr.
Hi Whitney, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
A few years ago, during COVID, I sort of happened across digital painting through Instagram. I was seeing artists share their work and, on a whim, decided to try it myself. I started experimenting with it as a creative outlet and shared pretty casually online, but it was never something I approached too seriously. More like little pockets of creativity here and there when I had time.
I started watercoloring physically this January, but it wasn’t new to me in the sense that I had never been exposed to the medium. It was more that I finally gave myself space to actually explore the medium instead of just passing it by.
Growing up, I was always “the crafty one.” My mom calls me Martha (like Martha Stewart) because I was constantly making something. I’ve crocheted, knitted, sewn, embroidered, painted with acrylics, and played around with oil pastels. I’ve honestly tried my hand at just about anything creative I could get my hands on. I’ve even said I’d love to get into woodworking one day!
That appreciation for making things runs in my family too. My grandparents, my papa and gramma, used to tag-team projects. He did the woodworking, and she would paint and finish pieces. Looking back, I think that’s where a lot of my love for creating comes from. It’s always been around me in some form.
So in a way, this isn’t a brand-new journey. It’s more like I finally slowed down enough to return to something that’s always been part of me, and give it more attention and intention.
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?
It hasn’t really been a perfectly smooth road, but I also wouldn’t say it’s been defined by major external obstacles. A lot of the challenge has been more internal.
Creating, and especially sharing it, has been a big part of my mental health journey. I deal with generalized anxiety, social anxiety, and OCD, and for a long time those things made it very easy to stay small creatively. It was always easier to stay hidden. I would overthink everything, keep most of my work private, and struggle with the feeling of being perceived, even in something as simple as posting art.
In that sense, starting to paint and eventually sharing my work online wasn’t casual for me. It became a really important breakthrough. It gave me a space where I could step out of my head a bit and just create without overanalyzing every outcome. Over time, it’s helped me loosen the grip of perfectionism and learn to tolerate the discomfort that sometimes comes with being seen.
What’s been especially surprising, and honestly one of the hardest parts, is the response from people in my real life. My colleagues and others around me have been so kind and encouraging, saying things like “I had no idea you could do this” or commenting on a “hidden talent.” Those reactions have been incredibly positive, but it’s also been an adjustment to suddenly be seen in this way by people who didn’t know this side of me before. Learning to sit with that visibility has been its own part of the process.
There’s also been a learning curve in general visibility online. What started as a low-pressure creative outlet is slowly growing into something more public, and I’ve had to learn how to stay grounded in the joy of creating instead of slipping into comparison or self-criticism.
And then, of course, there’s the natural challenge of learning the medium itself. Watercolor especially has taught me a lot about letting go, unpredictability, patience, and trusting the process even when the outcome isn’t what I imagined.
So no, it hasn’t been perfectly smooth, but it has been really meaningful. Most of the journey has been about learning to quiet the noise, trust myself more, and keep creating anyway.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work shows up in two main ways for me: artistically and professionally as a teacher. Both are rooted in growth, creativity, and connection.
Artistically, my Instagram Platform is centered on my journey as an evolving artist rather than a finished identity. I primarily work in watercolor, though I enjoy experimenting across mediums. When I first began sharing digitally, I was most known for faceless portraits and dog portraits, which helped me build confidence early on. IN my current watercolor work, I still love a good pet portrait, but I’ve also been drawn to florals and landscapes. I enjoy that watercolor allows for both structure and looseness, depending on the piece.
What I’m most proud of isn’t a single work, but the consistency of creating and sharing while still growing. My focus has always been process over perfection and allowing myself to evolve in real time.
Professionally, I’m a second-grade teacher, and that deeply shapes how I create. Teaching has strengthened my ability to slow down, observe, and meet people where they are. In my classroom, I’m known for creating a calm, supportive environment where students feel safe to take risks and learn through mistakes.
At the core of both is the blieve that people grow when they’re given space to try, fail, and try again.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5-10 years, I think the art world will continue shifting toward more accessibility and visibility through social media and digital platforms. Artists are no longer as dependent on traditional gatekeepers, which allows for a much wider range of styles and voices to exist and be seen.
At the same time, I think there will be a growing appreciation for slowing down, especially with traditional mediums like watercolor and handmade work. As things become more digital and fast-paced, people seem to be drawn to art that feels personal, imperfect, and human.
I also see continued growth in commissioned and custom work, especially pieces that feel personal and story-driven, like pet portraits.
Overall, I think the biggest shift will be this balance between fast visibility online and a deep appreciation for intentional, process-driven art.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitneywatercolors?igsh=cTJwNDVjMXo0OTF2&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@whitneymariahorr?_r=1&_t=ZT-95vZ7Qr6hLh
