Chloe White

Chloe White is an artist, graphic designer, and photographer based in sunny Los Angeles, California. Her skillful eye for design and ability to find beauty in the seemingly small has made her work stand out from others in her profession. In a conversation with Local Wolves, she discusses her hometown, her passion for empowering women, and her best advice for young creatives!

When describing her hometown of Williston, Vermont — White recalls a place brimming with color and beauty. “Maybe I’m biased, but I think Vermont is the most beautiful place in the country,” she says. “It’s everything you would imagine and more. I feel very privileged to have grown up in a place that changes so magnificently with each passing month. We were able to spend a lot of time outside in nature doing things like hiking, swimming and snowboarding. Williston is a town of just over 8,000 people; the kids are still able to walk to school and you can’t go to the grocery store without bumping into someone you know. I can’t help but smile as I’m talking about home, because it is something very special.”

White recounts fall days full of autumn festivities, giving us a taste of everyday life in her northern state. “My favorite spot is Adams Farm Market. It’s a little farm just down the street from my parent’s house, and there’s an apple orchard where they have an apple picking festival a couple weekends in late September. They have a donut truck during those weekends, and it’s the only time you can get these donuts, but it is one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. As I got older, I spent a lot of time in downtown Burlington, which is the closest thing you’ll get to a city in Vermont. There are tons of great coffee shops, and in the summer we like to go down and walk along the lake waterfront to watch the sunset. You also can’t miss the Ben & Jerry’s factory if you’re visiting, that’s a must see!”

White credits where and how she grew up, as well as her family’s support, for nurturing her love for art and design. She describes her childhood as “this untouchable magic” that provided her with a strong foundation of curiosity and creativity. “My mom used to fill up bowls with acrylic paint in the garage and lay out huge pieces of paper for me to create all the art I wanted, even though I always made a mess! Art is very prominent in Vermont, and because of my parent’s constant support I was never made to feel like it wasn’t something I could pursue. I think growing up in a place like I did, I was able to just be and take everything around me in as opposed to being inundated with constant technology like so many children are today. There’s a simple lifestyle in Vermont, and so I think that kept me humble and grounded now that I’m living in LA.”

Having grown up in such a tight-knit community, moving across the country to California was a huge step for White. When discussing her new home, White says, “I love that this city is filled with so many creatives and like-minded people! There’s this feeling in the air of determination and grit that’s almost palpable, like you just know that everyone around you is trying to make it happen. Sometimes I’m driving down Sunset Boulevard on my way home from work, which is pretty normal to me now, but occasionally it will hit me that I did this and this is my life.”

Your craft is something that you never stop thinking about—you never stop creating. It’s more fun than it is work and I think that’s when you know.”

Highly skilled in art and graphic design, White’s most recent work can be seen at Create & Cultivate—a conference held across the nation that includes a widespread community of women looking to build the career they’ve always dreamed of. White says some of her favorite projects have come from designing for Create & Cultivate. “It’s hard to choose a favorite project because I work on so many different things at a time, but right now I would have to say I’m most proud of my work for our Seattle conference this past September. Having a job as a designer for events is a little surreal, because a lot of what I do ends up coming off the computer screen and out into the world. I made a custom type that was turned into a 12 foot sign for a floral installation that read “Woman With A Plan.” Hundreds and hundreds of women posted pictures of it all over Instagram, including the panelists and keynote speakers. That’s what I get the most satisfaction from—knowing that I can make something and it’s going to add value to someone’s life.”

As a career-driven female in today’s society, White’s influence expands far beyond her art and design. When asked if she desires to advocate for female empowerment in the workplace, her answer was a resounding yes! “I am extremely lucky to work for an all-female company like Create & Cultivate where we all support one another at work and in our personal endeavors. There’s so much I learn every single day. It’s beautiful to live in a day and age where so many women are starting businesses and finding success, it’s really encouraging.” Having already landed her dream job at 23, she reminds those searching for success to never stop working for their passion. “I’m still young, but I would tell any woman to pursue whatever sets her heart on fire. I think if you want something badly enough and keep working at it day in and day out, you can have it. Don’t get caught up on the small stuff, maybe you aren’t where you want to be, but every day you’re one step closer to that goal. Remember to appreciate what you’ve already accomplished up until this point.” It took hard work and a whole lot of courage for White to get where she is today! She relays her best advice to those looking to step out and take a leap of faith in their endeavors. “My advice will always be to go for it—if this is something you think that you want to do then start somewhere! There’s so many resources out there today for people wanting to be in the creative industry. Network—reach out to other people who are in the space that you want to be in. There are so many creatives and ways to be connected, and I think people are so willing to give advice or collaborate. If you are passionate about it, you will know. Your craft is something that you never stop thinking about—you never stop creating. It’s more fun than it is work and I think that’s when you know.”

As White moves forward in her career, her influence and voice will continue to reach and impact others. With many exciting ideas and concepts underway, it’s hard for us to keep up! She gave us a rundown of all her upcoming projects. “I just launched my new blog and website chloebystorm.com. I’ve been doing a lot of shoots, creating content and just trying to bring positivity to my readers. I want to share fashion that someone who is 23, just out of college, and has a million student loans can actually afford. I’m really excited about it, and I’ll be posting designs and freebies. I think there are a lot of women who can relate to it! In the past six months I’ve been working on a lot of hand lettering and modern calligraphy work. I’ve done some custom prints for clients, and I’m looking at breaking into the wedding space one day—custom invitation suites, day of items, etc. It’s something I’m working on and looking forward to pursuing further! As for Create & Cultivate… there are lots of big things happening, but you’ll have to stay tuned to find out!”

“It’s not about being great, it’s about being good to others.” This is what she reminds herself of on her toughest days—that it’s not about being the best, but bringing joy to those around you. We have no doubt that this is exactly what White will do. Whether it’s through a photograph, a portrait, or a fantastic logo, Chloe White will continue to bring happiness with her amazing gifts and talents.