Check Out Lainey Atwood’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lainey Atwood.

Hi Lainey, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today. 
I am very lucky to have been born and raised in Long Beach, California. I achieved my Bachelor of Fine Arts in drawing and painting from CSULB in 2018, where I built many relationships and earned scholarships for my studies, that I am grateful for. There was a lot of creativity surrounding me growing up. My mom studied painting and shared painting with me early on. I was blessed with the liberty to express myself in such a way at a young age. I studied ballet from age of 5 and continued through college. Learning ballet instilled a certain kind of discipline, creativity and passion for music that continues to influence my work and inner dialogue. 

I have felt deeply connected to the natural world since I can remember. I am thankful for the accessibility to natural spaces that have surrounded me and inspired me always. With my hands in the mud or covered in paint, I have always had an interest in being immersed in creating and maintaining relationships of care with the plants and wild creatures. 

Currently, I continue to make work in my studio at the Icehouse in Long Beach, where I enjoy being part of the great community here. 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Painting for me has always come easily; I have a sense of coming back home when I paint. The road hasn’t always been smooth, which has been the fuel for the fire. Often artists are forced to work two or more jobs to survive and support their work, which has been the case for me, and it isn’t sustainable. My advice for any person pursuing their creative dream would be to devote as much time to what you love as you can. I think we can overcome obstacles and participate in this relationship founded upon noticing anywhere we find ourselves. Listen to that inner voice-don’t wait, or you’ll lose it. There will be many obstacles being an artist, but something my most influential painting teacher told me that has always stuck with me is, “There is no painting without pain.” 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My paintings are how I declare my love of place, celebrating where I live and the diversity that clings to it. I primarily explore this through painting on canvas. I use a variety of mediums, applying oil paint with paintbrushes and my hands to create opaque, dense, layered areas and using water-based paints to saturate fabric with color. I like to explore the way a painting is made, build up the layers upon layers, and use collaged pieces of paintings. Through this capability to explore the making of each brushstroke, something new emerges where I can dance with a harmonious feeling in nature. I’m inspired by the many possibilities for replicating a sense of place through the painting process. I want to replicate the feeling of abundance of life that the natural world provides. I like to explore my relationship to these natural places that are accessible to me, the sensations and impressions felt as observer and caretaker in a world of beings. My exploration begins by going back and visiting the same places again and again, noticing the changes by season, the different forms and phases of plants, the coming and going of wildlife. I honor these relationships by painting on site at these locations, through this exchange it feels spiritual to me in a lot of ways. 

At the moment, I am most proud of my work in relationship of understanding the land better. I created a native garden in my mother’s front lawn and parkway exactly a year ago. Telling the birds and butterflies that I love them wasn’t enough through just painting, so I decided it was time to participate with a native garden. Sourcing special local plants from native nurseries in my area, such as California Nursery in Long Beach. Learning how I can tend to this relationship is some of my most meaningful work; I am so thankful for this relationship. 

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
In my opinion, perseverance, love, and passion are qualities that have driven my success as an artist. Anyone who is creating and making it a priority despite the challenges and obstacles in the way is successful. By claiming our authentic selves and owning our experiences, we can connect and shift the historical role of what defines a successful female artist. I think the level of devotion to creating itself and being supported by a community can enhance connection without getting too distracted by others. 

Contact Info:

• Website: laineyatwood.myportfolio.com
• Instagram: elainemaxinestudio