Artist Lara Lenhoff Combines Art & Music

We recently sat down with Lara Lenhoff to discuss her art and projects, Lara is a South African-born artist living in Clearwater, Florida, in fact the colors in her artwork are an homage to her country of birth. Lara began her art career in early 2014 exhibiting work at The Misfit Gallery in the Bishop Arts District of Dallas, Texas. Being embraced by a curator there, Lara was inspired to create an abundance of art. “I’ve painted every day and night since then. Teaching myself how to utilize palette knives, I would spend hours incorporating the style while listening to music. Embarking on a creative journey with this style has led me to where I am today. I have found healing and effective coping strategies through the utilization of creative expression.”

‘Floridian Condos’, Acrylic on Canvas, 48″ x 62″

The artist is a philanthropist as well, fundraising for meaningful events, special projects and organizations. Her company Artsy Monkey provides opportunities to local and emerging artists to exhibit their work. Focusing on the concept of community engagement and being of service to those in need has given Lara tremendous fulfillment. Coming up on Friday, December 7th and Sunday, December 9th Lara will be painting live at the Holiday Makers Market in Tampa, Florida.

She will be selling her popular limited-edition soy candles, which feature art images from the early years of her work, along with a variety of her paintings at the Makers Market. The event showcases 50+ artists & craftsman selling unique, hand-made gifts just in time for holiday gift giving. We recently had the pleasure to sit down with Lara to learn more about her art, her style and upcoming projects:

Q – What is the best part about being an artist and how did you get started on this path?

A – The best part of being an artist is having the ability to express everything I’ve experienced — either visually or musically. The colors I utilize, textures, the chords, rhythms, and lyrics… my work is just that — the embodiment, interpretations, and reflections on what I’ve come out of and healed through in my life. What got me started on the path to being an artist? Well, I’ve always been one, ever since I was young. My art teacher when I was a child encouraged me more than anyone, and that resonated with me. When someone encourages you when you’re in the most vulnerable position, and leads you to something as a means to provide solace for you, well… I couldn’t ever let that go, so even when I went a different path with academics, I came back to art. I didn’t understand the intention at the time, but art has always been there for me-through every disappointment and let down I’ve personally faced. There’s always been a calling to get things out of myself and it’s how I’ve survived. I think my teacher saw that in me. Whatever struggles I’ve had, art has been the consistent force that has kept everything together and given me the insight and hope to keep going. And now that I’ve found love, my pieces are much more vibrant and positive.

‘A Boat, a Building, and a Marina’, Acrylic on Canvas, 32″ x 32″

Q – Where does your inspiration come from?

A – Memories, reflections, and listening to music that moves me. Reading biographies about other people and appreciating and admiring what they’ve accomplished is definitely a motivational factor. I believe that as an artist, it is crucial that we acknowledge those that came before us and who have found success with their voice artistically. Being in tune with the world and everything that happens in it daily- some people are more sensitive to it that others, and I believe those people are artists, which is why they share their pain, their stories, knowing they’ll be helping others through their experiences with what they share.

Q – Can you tell us about upcoming shows or projects in the works?

A – I’m currently at From The Heart Gallery in Galveston, Texas and I’ve been writing some new songs since moving to Florida and once they are ready and I find places to sing, I’ll start performing again. December 7th and 9th, I’ll be painting live and have a booth set up with art and my candles for sale at the Makers Marketplace at Westshore Plaza in Tampa, Florida. Painting live is my favorite thing to do because it opens up a dialogue and facilitates a connection with people. It engages people and involves them in the process of creating, and that’s a beautiful thing. I’ve met a lot of wonderful people at events who have taken the time to ask me questions and inquire about what I do. Painting live is just the most exciting thing, as is performing.

Q – Any rituals you have when you’re creating an art piece?

A – There are many! Finding the right music to fit my mood definitely affects what I produce, so I have to be in the right frame of mind to get going and music definitely plays a vital component in my creative process. If I am not feeling inspired, then I’ll know to stop and wait until the right moment to start moving the colors around. When that right moment strikes, the magic happens. That I’ve come to understand and embrace completely.

Q – What is the one item in your art studio that you can’t live without?

A – Paint!

‘Vibrancy’, Acrylic on Canvas, 36″ x 48″

Q – Tell us more about your charity work and your love for giving back.

A – I got involved with a small art group in Dallas, Texas and our whole purpose was to participate in a fundraiser for the organization Life Walk, with whom I’ve continued to work with and coordinate shows for in the past couple of years. Life Walk is affiliated with Prism Health of North Texas to raise funds for the homeless community afflicted with HIV and AIDS. Proceeds go towards testing, medication, counseling, food, shelter, and other medical care necessary to help those struggling with the illness. Seeing that this epidemic has been prevalent in the country where I’m from originally, I wanted to continue to give back. Personally, it’s also a way to give back to my country, and to honor my grandmother who used to knit blankets and sweaters for babies in South Africa who were born with the virus. I’ve also raised funds for Austin Street where we raised funds and clothing donations for the homeless population in Dallas and Hearts for the Arts, which provides funding to art programs in Greenville, Texas.

‘Rising Above Chaos’

Q – What are you working on at the moment and whats next on the horizon for you?

A – Currently I’m working on expanding the Rising Above Chaos series that debuted at a solo show at Art Space at Metropolitan Press in Dallas, Texas. There were 25 paintings in that show, and proceeds from that also went to Life Walk. I’m working on expanding my inventory with new pieces that range from 8″ x 10″, 48″ x 62″. They are colorful and appealing to the eye and have great energy. Coming up is the event in Tampa at Westshore Plaza, and I’m really excited to have these newer works seen, especially the smaller ones for the holidays. 2019 is going to be exciting and if I keep up with the momentum, well, the sky is the limit.