Today we interviewed Layane Smith. An artist who makes colourful animal paintings and has a great eye for detail. In this blog we will dive a bit deeper into her world of art.
Where are you from?
Originally from Brazil , but I live currently in Carver , Massachusetts, USA
What do you love to paint?
Animals, birds with abstract background.
Have you always been a painter?
I have been painting for over 20 years
What do you love most about your job?
The freedom to express myself and the peace that it gives me when I am painting .
Are you able to make a living of it?
I work as a dentist also , but I have been able to cut my time in the office to dedicate more time to paint . So , being an artist is not my only source of income
What do you hope to achieve in 5 years?
I hope to be teaching art for new beginners as a way to de- stress for them and for me ( I love teaching!!) , and I want to be selling more so I can reduce my dentist office time by half of what I do now . I hope to create many more collections of paintings and keep diving even more into nature’s symbolism and be able to spread positive messages with my painting , having a more distinguished voice . And I hope to be marketing my art in a much more efficient way .
In what kind of space would you love to hang your art?
Any place that needs good energy or positivity, being a home , an office or even corporate buildings.
What inspires you?
The messages of encouragement that I believe God sends us through nature, that being a butterfly landing on us , or an animal staring at you or a couple of birds flying by . I believe the Universe is always talking to us through nature and we just need to open up our hearts to receive those messages . And that’s what I like to paint !
What artists do you admire?
I love Eric Robitaille, Elli Millan , and from the old masters I am a huge fan of Monet.
How do you get in touch with your collectors?
I have been finding them in exhibitions and art shows mostly . And I already have a few returning buyers .
What would your dream studio look like?
I already have a great space , but if I could change anything I would need a space with more natural light.
What has been your coolest project so far?
I was very proud of my 1st solo exhibition in March this year when I realized I had a big body of consistent artwork big enough to fill a small gallery , and I was happy to be accepted . I also was very proud to win 1st place in a local art festival and to be invited to be one of the artists to participate in a public project for Plymouth , MA.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I learned that painting can be used as a divine channel to bring messages of joy and encouragement, and I will never stop doing it ! This year in particular I have sold paintings that had such a special meaning for the collectors that ,when the story and the connection that they had with the piece was revealed to me , made me even get goose bumps . At the time I painted them I didn’t know why I was painting that specific subject , but there was a higher plan in place to make them serve as a good “ reminder” of the goodness in the Universe , and that’s so special !