Today we’d like to introduce you to Annette Larranaga.
Hi Annette, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Growing up, I’ve always loved creating things and being artistic. Art was always a big passion in my household. It was used as a way to bring friends together because we could make collaborative pieces as well as give someone something to react too as a conversation starter. When I was I was fresh out of high school, I got to work as a costume assistant around different playhouses in LA. I really enjoyed being able to flex my creative strengths. I’ve always enjoyed drawing and working with children. When I was in my undergrad program, I working at an after school program where they would offer games and things to the students but did not really give much thought to art. I started impromptu art and craft lessons for the students which they seemed to really enjoy. We would do things from painting and drawing to sewing small stuffed animals. Then I started working at a school for children with Autism where the teachers and staff have to find creative ways to communicate and teach. I realized that a lot of the students like to express their thoughts and feelings through different creative ways. Last year I started an art program at the school which the students seem to really enjoy, where I create the curriculum and send out the supplies needed for the students to participate. While doing all of this, I started my master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy because I saw a need. I’ve worked with a lot of different students throughout my working career and realized that there are ways to better support families to give a child best parents possible. I hope to in the future find creative ways to better help families as well as be creative in my free time.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has not been a smooth road. There have been a lot of ups and downs in both my personal and professional life. Working with children who have autism can be one of the hardest but most rewarding things I’ve ever done. Their lows can be so low but when they can finally grasp a concept or realize that they can communicate in their own way, you can see the major changes.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I currently specialize in digital art, but I also enjoy creating costumes. I love creating fantasy images. Art is a major passion of mine and is my coping mechanism for getting through the hard times.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I love being outside and going for hikes or small adventures, it helps to get the creative juices flowing. I also really enjoy teaching art lessons and seeing the different ways in which my students interpret the lessons. It makes me happy to see my students be able to feel free and comfortable to put their own twist on things. I also enjoy being with family.
Pricing:
- Single self portraits $50 (PDF)
- 2 people $80 (PDF)
- Print/shipping of image is an additional $19
- Original design $50+ depending on size and detail, does include 2 thumb nail sketches of design
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/LadyMarieart/
