Meet Spencer Stultz: Fine Artist and Creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Spencer Stultz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Spencer, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process behind Whimsical Black Girl was a combination of self-reclamation, as well as my personal advocacy for other Black womxn. There are very few handmade boutiques that are geared towards depicting and honoring Black womxn. As a visual artist and creative, I noticed that the creative and handmade fields have very little diversity. Folks were rarely even marketing towards Black communities before this recent Civil Rights upheaval that began during the summer of 2020. It felt absolutely necessary to create a space – and products – that encourage ease, beauty and creativity for Black womxn. I wanted a business where the products that are sold are inspired by, created by and created for Black womxn specifically, and womxn of color. Although Whimsical Black Girl is mainly virtual, I wanted to create a space where Black womxn are the most important thing. I find it imperative to directly combat the ways that history and society consistently disenfranchise and undervalue us, and this is my contribution to that work. Whimsical Black Girl has been the realm that I’ve created where I can love up on Black womxn, with the goal of making them feel seen, represented and valued.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My visual art and other creative work centers Black womxn and their experiences. I try not to put Black womxn in any boxes, or to even create any specific narratives, choosing instead to depict them just how they are and how I find them. It is rare that Black womxn have the space to just be; to be who they are, to be who they want to be, to exist without the extreme expectations to be the cornerstone and backbones of our communities. Because of that, I intentionally paint Black womxn simply existing, recreating images of daily life. One venture that I find super exciting is a new series I’ve been toying with, where depict Black womxn at rest. My creative journey has been just that – a journey that has been filled with various highs and lots of lows. I had my first solo exhibition at age 24, which was an intensely humbling experience. It also taught me to believe in myself and my creativity; I found myself realizing, “You can do this!”, which is an important road for every creative to cross. I’ve learned that there is so much value in the process. It’s easy to get wrapped up in doubts, fears and inhibitions, and your focus throughout the process should be sitting with and dismantling those feelings so that they don’t get in between you and your purpose. I’d love for the world to know that Black Womxn Matter.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take my best friend to Ponce City Market, and then to visit the studios of all of my favorite artists. We’d hit up the AUC to visit Hale Woodruff’s breathtaking murals, then go grab some food in Little Five Points. I know I know, super tourist-ey BUT thats what weekend visits are for, right? Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would LOVE to shoutout the Atlanta Creative Arts scene. I conducted my graduate research in the area, and interviewed amazing local artists including Jamaal Barber, Charly Palmer, Tracy Murrel, Shanequa Gay, Fabian Williams, Lauren Harris, Angela Davis Johnson and Tiffany Latrice. Through each of these individuals, I learned courage, the value of vulnerability and authenticity, and found the guts to follow my own dreams. Because of this, Atlanta is so very dear to my heart.

Website: https://www.whimsicalblackgirl.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whimsicalblackgirl/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/whimsicalblackgirl