Bio
My name is Courtney Gatewood. I am a wife, a mother of three children, and a working artist living in Tennessee. Originally from northwest Tennessee, I have traveled a bit only to find myself back in our great state. After attending college as a non-traditional student, I quickly absorbed a wealth of knowledge about being a working artist. Through prompted assignments, I realized that I consistently create work that resonates with my younger self, who was discouraged from pursuing art. I am exploring this connection further. My goal is to highlight my experience living in a small town where it was tough to make ends meet and achieve anything unless you were already in that line of work. My family faced financial struggles, and many of my relatives turned to drugs and crime in search of hope. However, I didn’t find hope there and chose to marry at a young age. That marriage didn’t turn out well, and after having three children, I recognized that I needed to protect them by leaving. I discovered a new path in school and found encouragement in the arts, along with small successes that motivated me to continue pursuing my passion and goals.

Statement
As an artist, I delve into the complex psyche of my mind as a woman who has encountered numerous challenges in this world. When I reached adulthood, I had little support; my family struggled financially, and many relatives were in circumstances I wished to avoid. The only path to escape my situation was to leave that small town and begin anew. A decade later, I realized that being a woman in this world is far more challenging than I had anticipated. I had heard it was different, but when I experienced it, I found myself battling to make my voice heard. I sense that my appearance has created a misleading impression. Beauty has its limits, and I prefer not to be remembered solely for my looks, but rather for my struggle to be acknowledged and recognized as an artist who emerged from nothing and fought her way to become a woman who inspires others to embrace their true selves.