In this captivating interview, we delve into the artistic journey of Lanna Ariel, an artist who has embraced her unique path with courage and authenticity. From her early passion for art as a form of self-expression to her transformation into a full-time creator, Lanna’s story is one of resilience, introspection, and a deep connection to the spiritual and natural worlds. Through her work, she challenges societal norms, explores cultural identity, and invites us all to find freedom in self-reliance. Lanna’s journey is a powerful reminder that by trusting the process and staying true to ourselves, we can unlock the magic within our creative endeavors.
What initially sparked your passion for art, and how has it evolved over time?
My passion for art started from a very young age, and even though I had support from my family I didn’t know that I could become an artist. To me, it was just a way of spending my time & expressing myself. It changed when I finished high school and it was time to choose what to do in university. As I have always hated school, art would be the only thing I could think of, and that’s when it started to become a serious thing. When I started to see the possibilities of merging art making to my day to day life. Now it is what I do most of my time and I couldn’t be more grateful for that.
Can you share a pivotal moment or experience that significantly influenced your artistic journey?
As mentioned, I went to art school but although I learned a lot there, it wasn’t very inspiring for my creativity. As an oil painter, I wanted to be like the old masters. In a Contemporary/Conceptual art world I often felt that weight of having it all together. Until I heard from an artist I admire on a podcast interview this advice; break the rules. It might sound silly but it completely shifted the way I used to perceive my creative process. Together with accepting the spiritual connection I feel with art making. It made me free the way I express myself.
As a female artist, have you encountered any unique challenges or struggles in your career? How have you navigated them?
I definitely feel that it takes a lot for people to take me seriously as a professional. The visual art world is male dominated and it’s not as easy for me to get opportunities. I also feel it as an immigrant, the more I check out the places my applications haven’t been selected to see who they did, it’s mainly natives from the country I am based. Making it an extra layer of inequality, the way I have been navigating it is by not letting it affect my mental health, curating where I apply my art better, but specially creating my own opportunities, like starting my own art shop, youtube channel & patreon page.
What advice would you give to other women aspiring to pursue a career in the art industry?
Make sure this is what you really want, then go for it regardless of what others might tell you. There will be people sabotaging you and trying to bring you down but you are the only one that can not sabotage yourself. Pay attention to what you are using as an excuse and what is really true, there’s always another way around and another opportunity on the corner. Be patient because you are probably going to face things that will shake you off and leave you with the feeling of giving up. Never give up. Start by building a good/solid body of work, then seek for opportunities and be determined that it will happen. Trust the process.
How do you balance vulnerability and authenticity in your artwork while maintaining a sense of privacy and personal boundaries?
I think that it’s all there but it is subtle, you really need to dive deep in my artwork to see it. The way I do it is by working on the concept of my work very well so I can hide the gems all over it. I believe everything I do is authentic for there’s no other one of me, I create what I want and what I like. I don’t care for a niche or a market.
Could you discuss a particular piece of art that holds special meaning for you and share the story behind its creation?
The Guardian of Freedom | 20×20 inches | Oil on Wooden Panel | 2023
This painting celebrates the essence of freedom, reminding us that we are never alone. It symbolizes a divine presence that watches over us, embodying the duality of freedom: the ability to soar and the commitment to care for our loved ones.
At the heart of this piece is the Guardian, a strong and serene feminine figure, radiating an aura of divinity and timelessness. She comprehends the preciousness of living freely, understanding that freedom, though often an illusion, comes from a profound awareness of our place among the four elements and the spirit.
Freedom is about honoring these elements and recognizing the Goddess within oneself. You are everything—the birds, the Goddess, the keys, the elements. You hold your own hands, becoming your own guardian. This is the true essence of freedom: knowing that you will always be there for yourself, enabling you to release the grip of external influences and expectations.
In this painting, the Guardian of Freedom serves as a powerful symbol of self-reliance and inner strength, encouraging us to embrace our divine nature and the interconnectedness of all things.
Even though I planned a lot beforehand, the process of creating it was slow, it took me several months as I put it aside to wait for it to show me what it needed. As time went by it came the keys of the four elements, all the 12 zodiac constellations and the frame. The snake and the egg came up thanks to a tarot reading.
What role does introspection play in your creative process, and how do you translate internal experiences into visual expressions?
Introspection is where my work lives. It is when I thrive. I love being on my own and I love having several days to devote to creation. It is where I can quiet my mind and bring everything that is inwards to life. I can see why I painted my past paintings when I look back on how my life was back then. But the act of creating comes to me in the present only as what I want to create in the moment. Usually my poems are more the raw emotions while my paintings are more subtle and less obvious.
How do you find inspiration in everyday life, and what techniques do you use to capture those moments in your art?
I live in the countryside. I am confident this has a great impact on my creativity as nature is undoubtedly one of my biggest inspirations. Journaling daily is a good technique to keep up on what is sparkling interest at the moment. I am also a goal oriented person so it’s easy for me to set the goal and work towards it. I think that a big part of being a full time artist is sticking to the schedule and deadlines detached from emotions. Having conceptual practice helps because I already know what I have to paint or write regardless of my humor that day.
In what ways has your cultural identity influenced your artistic style and themes?
I am from a Brazilian peripheral area, for a while my work was about it. I would address topics like violence against women and social injustices. Now, as an immigrant living in a very safe area I tend to focus more on showing the possibility of change. For the past few years, my focus has been to work with cultural appropriation, where I gather different symbols used by different cultures around the globe to represent the main topic of a painting. For writing, I tend to focus a lot on nature and its seasons.
Can you share a lesson or insight you’ve gained from your artistic journey that has had a profound impact on your life?
The power of mindset. When I decided to go full time as an artist I realized I was acting like one, therefore, the whole universe started to help me to close the gap to actually start being one. Another thing is that I learned that my only job is to create, let people decide whether it is good or not.
How do you stay motivated and overcome creative blocks or periods of self-doubt?
By having several different projects to work on. I hardly ever have creative blocks and I think this is due to me being a multi passionate artist. I have way more ideas than it would be possible for me to create, so any time I have to work on a project it is precious to me. If I don’t want to paint I can write poetry, edit videos, or design a deck of cards, zine, journal, postcards and stickers for my patrons and so on.
What future projects or goals are you excited about pursuing in your artistic career?
One of my biggest dreams is to be represented by an art gallery. I really hope to find/be found by the perfect place soon. Somewhere honest and that shares the same values, love for art & nature as I do. Another thing on the making is my first ever poetry book that I will be launching next year. I am currently working on the poems & illustrations and I am so in love with it I can’t wait to share it with everyone.
Could you discuss the significance of your business name, “Witch of Paintings,” and how it reflects your artistic philosophy?
It started during covid lockdown, I was having time to devote all my time to my art for the first time. I found out I was a witch at the same time and decided to change my instagram username to start a new era in my work. Being a spiritual being has become such a part of my personality that changing my whole work was inevitable. It started there, but now a lot of people know me by witch of paintings, not by my real name (I love it). It’s like I have created a pseudonym and when people see my banner at markets they already know my work has magical powers. I am a painter of spells.
How do you engage with your audience through social media platforms, and what role do they play in your artistic process?
I engage with them by showing & talking about my process, by being vulnerable, sharing struggles as well. I think that as an independent artist we have to create our own opportunities. Sharing my journey online has given me several friends and clients and made me excited about creating new things like workshops and physical events. It’s also important for me to ask people at markets to follow me online so they can come along in my journey to see I am a serious artist and worth the investment when purchasing something from me. Also the huge impact their support plays in my life.
What message or emotion do you hope viewers take away from experiencing your artwork?
I think that it is equality. In a rather magical & mystical way, I try to represent the feeling of being equal, to each other and to nature. I display naked bodies surrounded by cultural elements from all over the world breaking the separation we have created as society. To experience life and to love each other.
Links:
https://www.instagram.com/witchofpaintings
https://www.youtube.com/@lannaariel
https://www.patreon.com/LannaAriel
Loved what she said about creating her own opportunities, such a creative way of bypassing few layers of inequality.
Also got super interested on her stickers and postcards, ill sign up for her Patreon straight away!