Meet the Artist

Teresa Whitaker

I didn’t set out to become an artist — it found me early on.

In high school, when asked to choose between Art and Chemistry, I chose Art without hesitation. What began as a simple decision turned into a lifelong path. With the encouragement of a teacher who believed deeply in his students, I earned enough scholarship support to study art in college. Though life led me to step away after two years, it never pulled me away from creating. In the late 1980s, discovering colored pencils — and soon after, color theory — completely shifted my perspective. Suddenly, art became more than technique; it became a language. A way to express what words could not. I’ve been creating ever since, drawn especially to detail and the quiet power it holds.

My journey into sculpture began later, studying under Veryl Goodnight in 2011 and David Lemon in 2016. It opened a new dimension for me — one where form, movement, and emotion could live in space, not just on paper.

But at the heart of everything I create is one enduring passion: horses. They have been woven into my life for as long as I can remember. From the moment my parents gave me my first horse as a young girl, to riding with professional trainers and working with extraordinary animals, horses have shaped not only my art — but who I am. In 2004, a serious riding accident left me with a shattered leg and months of recovery. What felt like a setback became a turning point. During that time, I discovered new ways of understanding and communicating with horses, including the teachings of Pat Parelli and later, positive reinforcement methods. These experiences deepened my connection to them in ways I never expected. That connection is what I strive to capture in my work.

My sculptures are not just representations — they are expressions of emotion, trust, and relationship. Each piece carries a part of my story, my passion, and my reverence for these animals. I often incorporate unexpected colors to evoke feelings that go beyond realism, inviting the viewer to experience something deeper. For me, art is not just about what you see — it’s about what you feel.