Lorena Frias
What’s the purpose and goal of your work?
Sometimes I feel like my art is a bit selfish since my purpose is pure self expression, I want to make my ideas physical through painting. When I get an idea I have the urge to paint it otherwise it is stuck on the back of my mind and I can’t focus on anything else. I just feel this need to create and get it out of my system. I really admire artists who use their art to address or reflect on big themes such as politics, social issues, and climate issues, among others, however I use it merely to express myself. So whenever I share a new work and someone buys it or simply reaches out to tell me how it made them feel, I feel like my art isn’t trivial and is actually contributing something to the world. I always find it so interesting when other people connect to my work and discover different meanings in it. It feels great being able to share your point of view and then having people interpret it so differently to what you could have thought.
How has your style changed over time?
Since most of what I’ve learned in painting has been through short workshops, books, or online videos, at first I was really focused on getting a good grasp on the basics and working on the proper technique for oil painting. I guess this reflected in my paintings because I was very detail oriented and trying to make my paintings look real. Since my favorite subject to paint is portraiture and figurative art, at first I was trying to capture every subtle transition in skin tones and every detail that my eye could catch. However, as I began to gain more confidence in my painting ability, I allowed myself to explore other ways or techniques that better allowed me to express myself. Rather than having a laser focus for details, I began trying to synthesize information and leave more space open to interpretation. I also made an effort to become more loose with my painting. I wanted my work to feel fresh but I was used to many layers of paint, which can end up looking a bit stiff, so I began exploring that painterly quality which I’ve always found so mouth watering. I think that as I make more creative decisions and stop trying to follow each rule I’ve learned, the work begins to feel more personal and is a truer expression of myself. Another aspect that I’ve seen change over time is my color selection. At first I used a somewhat limited palette because that’s what I was learning in the books and workshops, but once I had some control over those hues, I began to add more and more different colors. I have always really enjoyed the impressionists’ color palettes and recently I’m just loving to experiment with very bright and vibrant pigments!
What are your favorite and least favorite parts of professional art?
My favorite part is having a way to express myself and put my thoughts and emotions into something physical. It always amazes me how art allows me to put the intangible into a tangible object. I love the whole process of creating, from the conception of an idea to giving the final touches to a painting. On the other hand, my least favorite part has to be the business side of it! I often feel like I don’t know how to reach out to collectors or how to get in front of a bigger audience. It sometimes can be frustrating because I am well aware that there needs to be sales, but it is so out of my element since I rather just keep painting and creating. In this department I am so thankful for groups that help artists with social media, promotions, and overall guidance to the artists such as PoetsArtists.
How do you manage a work-life balance as an artist?
I believe that I am never fully “off-duty” with art because when I get to the studio, I do all the painting, but when I get back home, I just stare almost obsessively at the images I took of my painting and analyze them to see what I will work on or correct the next day. I think there’s always a part of my brain thinking about art and my paintings, I guess art has become my life and I love it! Even when I am doing activities not related to art I always tend to find a way of getting back to it, mainly by finding unexpected sources of inspiration. However, I try to dedicate some time to my family and myself to simply check-in, reflect, and enjoy!
Describe a piece of art you are most proud of. Why?
I would say that the piece I am currently most proud of is a painting titled “Head held high”. I feel like this is the first painting in which I was bolder with the use of color and kind of deviated from the color palette of previous work. I believe that each painting I make becomes a truer expression of myself and this work definitely feels more accurate as to what I would like to transmit with my paintings. I really love how color can influence, or even make, the whole atmosphere of a painting. This specific work has very vibrant yellows and purples and I believe it perfectly enhances the theme of feminism.