Today we’d like to introduce you to Latesha Houston.
Latesha, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I guess my art escapade came about unexpectedly. Kinda crept up on me in the form of painting and creating a pallet table! Who would believe a DIY project would lead me back to my creative roots. I moved across country in Australia to a slower pace city from hectic city and once I did this I re-discovered a childhood passion that had laid dormant for many years.
Once I gave myself the space to create and `be’ I found the creative process to be quite freeing and therapeutic. So it definitely started as fun, enjoyment and release really. I really wasn’t sure about painting to begin with, I was creating collages with resin and paper at the start. It was more about discovery and play. Soon after I started drawing and I absolutely loved it. Then came the painting and this led me to oil painting and I was hooked!
My favorite subject is and was nature and the environment around me. I incorporated that collage aspect that I started with by taking photographs on my walks, flowers, leaves, birds etc any concepts or elements that appealed to me. I then visually started painting/drawing them making it fit together seamlessly on the page. A lot of my work has spiritual symbology to it and more and more of my work has evolved to a more surreal world and a definite lean to the fantasy realm. Right now I’m delving into more illustrative works exploring the mystical side of life with enchantresses, wizards, dragons, animal totems and all too visually communicate my thoughts, ideas and musing about human consciousness and to inspire others and bring some light to the world.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Originally I created mixed media artworks on canvas oil paint on canvas with acrylic and enamel and I love working with oils for this because of the richness and the texture they provide.
My first love is drawing! So my other medium is works on paper including watercolours, gouache, inks and acrylic. I have a special love of gold in my work and you can usually find some gold metallic or enamel paint in my pieces. Something royal about it that I really like.
The messages in my art can be all spectrums of the human emotions conveyed in the various forms, from delight in the natural world, to the mysteries of life and mythical themes, inspirational messages and poems to get you thinking in a different form to telling a story that allows you to escape and just enjoy. Allowing people to dream and feel enlivened. Sometimes it’s a message I feel compelled to share about our spirits and why we are here 🙂 I use animals as symbols as well I have a particular love of birds so I use them a lot in my work.
How do you think about success, as an artist, and what do quality do you feel is most helpful?
Number one quality that I have had to embody as an artist is perseverance and to know that every step is a progression and not to be discouraged by setbacks. This is something that I would say is essential as a practicing artist. Artists keep a hopeful heart and know that your work is needed here. The world without art and creativity would be a dismal place! Defining success to me as an artist is to continue being an artist/creative/maker for the course of my lifetime, to travel the globe and reach people with my creativity. To innovate and create pieces that speak, that tell stories, make you wonder, think and feel! And every day I create the closer I get to that.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
My work is available online in the form of prints and originals at my website and I share quite regularly my updates and works in progress on social media
Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/lateshahoustonart/
Or Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chameleontee1980/
I am a travelling artist and attend art fairs so it’s best to stay tuned for my shows and where I be on my social media platforms.
You can also find my work at Ralwins Gallery: https://www.ralwinsartgallery.com/ and Art production NYC https://artproductionsnycgallery.com/latesha-houston
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lateshahoustonart.com/
- Email: latesha_houston@live.com.au
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chameleontee1980/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lateshahoustonart/
- Other: https://artproductionsnycgallery.com/latesha-houston
Image Credit:
@Rosemary Beard- Personal Shot
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