Interview
Lara Lenhoff
Lara has always been fascinated by art and its power to transform the mind just by looking at it. But it wasn’t until her late 20s that Lara pursued art seriously, staying up for hours and hours studying, making a huge mess, and covering the walls and carpet with paint. In between her odd jobs, Lara would go home, tend to her dogs, eat, and then head straight to her easels.
Lara’s first exhibition was in Dallas, Texas when she was in her 20s. She also has a background in music, and started playing the piano at the age of 9. She still plays and writes songs.
For Lara, art is life. She can’t imagine a world without color.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“My background in art started when I was a child. I started drawing very early, and my granny encouraged my creativity when I visited her on the weekends in Cape Town. She was a phenomenal baker and was incredibly artistic with her decorative cakes, so she took joy in guiding me with color and shapes.
My family moved to Lexington, Kentucky in 1988, and an elementary school art teacher provided further encouragement and guidance when he noticed my struggle to assimilate into the American culture. I was shy and quiet. When he published a drawing I’d made of a horse in a Kentucky newspaper, it changed my world. In many ways, he taught me that utilizing creative expression was a healing tool, and it’s been with me my entire life.”
What inspires you as an artist?
“I’m inspired by many things—specifically, the music I listen to in my studio. The energy I feel from it influences the color palette I use, and I get beautifully lost in my work while still remaining intently focused on what I’m doing.
I also find myself inspired by architecture, heartbreak, nature, and whatever I’m reading. Basically, I’m inspired by anything that pings my heart and brain simultaneously.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“My work is purely emotionally-driven and improvisational, and there is no definitive message. If anything, my work is energetic and colorful, coming purely from my heart and mind.
I’m moving into a sphere with a new series which has a message, but it’s currently in development and in the very early stages.”
How would you describe your work?
“My work is emotionally charged, bold, colorful, and open to interpretation. A lot of my past works are non-abstract representational pieces. When looking at my website, I’ve quite a variety of series that speak for themselves.”
Which artist are you most influenced by?
“Van Gogh, Pollock, Basquiat, and Picasso are the artists that I admire and cherish the most. Their personal histories and the different eras and periods of their work fascinate me.”
“What I create depends on my mood or how distracted I might be.
I have to be still with my thoughts to get focused and put on some music to get me going. Then I’m off full force, creating non-stop until my hands start to hurt and my eyes get heavy.”
Take us through your creative process. What’s it like?
“I timed myself once and found that I worked on a piece for three hours without any breaks. Sometimes if I’m not feeling the vibe, I step away until the muse presents itself again.
I have two easels, one upstairs and one downstairs. While I work on things in rotation, I’ll take the piece I’m working on and put it downstairs, and as I pass by it, it will speak to me. It’ll let me know what it wants more of, or what I can change to make it better and more cohesive. When it’s done, I know it’s time to stop.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“My role as an artist is to connect people to what they might not be consciously aware of, to appreciate a perspective different than their own, and awaken their senses and imagination by sharing mine.
As an artist, it’s my purpose to evoke emotion through my work, inspire, give hope and meaning to the world, and share it with others. I hope that it never changes and only evolves further, and that people continue to support the arts and artists in their communities.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“The exhibition that I’m most proud of was held in 2019 at the Mana Wynwood with Spectrum Miami during Art Basel. This was before I turned 40. It was a goal I’d set my heart on, and I worked and saved for nearly two years to do it.
It was overwhelming in the best way. Artists from all over the world were there, and the talent and energy in that space was invigorating and mind-blowing. I felt validated professionally. I had worked and struggled for many years to arrive at that space, and I was incredibly grateful to the people who helped me get there by believing in me and supporting my work.
My next exhibit will be held in April of this year at The Gordon Jewish Community Center. It’s a show that honors freedom of speech and the history of the Jewish press. I’m working on a typewriter piece that I’m really enjoying.”
