Today we’d like to introduce you to Larissa West.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I cannot remember a time in my youth that I didn’t have a crayon or paintbrush in my hand. My mother was very encouraging of my creativity. Some of my fondest memories growing up were days spent creating and painting with her. Neither of us had any formal training. It was all about the joy of creation. Although creating was such a joyful part of my life, as I grew older it never crossed my mind to attend art school. Reading has always been a passion, and it seemed the right step to study literature in college with an end goal to teach. While in college, I fell in love with philosophy and added that to my course of studies and ended up with a double major. Studying the plight of humanity and man’s interminable search for meaning consumed my mind. Even today, I am fascinated by both, and they make their way into my art.
When my Mom died after I left college, my passion for creating died too. Then life happened, and my creativity took a backseat to jobs and marriage and three beautiful children. Finally, in 2016, I made a personal vow to embrace the parts of me that had been neglected or put on hold. I began with a challenge to draw or paint something every day for thirty days, and I fell in love all over again. I have been creating every day since then with a few short breaks. Art has saved me and healed me in more ways than I can count. I cannot imagine my life without art as an outlet. I hope to die with a paintbrush in my hand.
Please tell us about your art.
When I made the commitment to devote time to art again, I started my journey in watercolors because I felt like it was the most accessible for me. I started with abstract florals, but I am so moved by the human condition and human faces that it was a natural progression for me to gravitate toward expressive and sometimes surreal portraiture. As humans, we experience such a vast range of emotions, and I am inspired to try to capture glimpses of those in my art. I also love painting animals just for the joy of it.
I began my art journey studying books, watching YouTube tutorials, taking online art classes, and attending workshops. These online classes and in-person workshops have been transformational, and I have learned from some amazing teachers.
Much of my art is inspired by my own thoughts and feelings, and my process usually begins with an emotion or an idea and an on-going conversation between myself, my inspiration, and my canvas throughout the painting. My hope is that others will connect to my art–that it will touch them. Art is one of the only vehicles of communicating that crosses every barrier, and I try to use that as a means of touching others. I want my art to say something. I love the feedback I get from people!!! We are, as humans, more alike than different, and I think we forget that.
Because art found me at a later stage in life, I feel like I have a lot of learning to do in the time I have left. In my down time, I read and study the Masters as much as I can. I love all the aspects of the creative process, and I enjoy working intuitively. I love experimenting with different mediums. I currently work with watercolors, acrylics, pastels, and oils. I love trying new mediums and techniques and pushing myself as much as I can.
As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
This is a great question. At one point in my life, I worked in a large art gallery selling other people’s art. At that time I would have said that success was selling art with an enormous price tag, and although I love being able to support my art habit and on-going art education with art sales, my perspective has radically shifted. Success, for me today, is when I receive feedback from people that my art has touched them, made them think, or inspired them. I love making those personal, human connections. Watching a solid base of collectors develop has both humbled and inspired me, and I feel a deep sense of gratitude to be able to do what I do. I think this personal connection with people is essential to my journey.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
You can find me at www.larissawestart.wpengine.com where I have my blog and an online shop to purchase current work, on Instagram @LarissaWestArt, or on Facebook where I post my art and often participate in online art auctions. I have two online auctions coming this Spring. I’ll have lots of information about those on Facebook. I love being able to use my art to benefit causes and often donate portions of my proceeds to various causes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://larissawestart.wpengine.com
- Email: larissawestart@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/larissawestart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/larissa.west.73
Image Credit:
Lindsey West
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