Today we’d like to introduce you to Naomi Stinnett.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been a lifelong artist and musician. Coming from a family of painters I am a 4th generation artist with a background in studio art from the University of Texas and classical training on the violin since age 11.
I spent about 7 years on the road as an internationally touring musician and became a songwriter at 27.
I am currently launching a new solo project called Naomi Stinnett’s Lost Girls & will soon release an album produced by Jason Chronis of Tele Novella. As a visual artist I draw psychedelic comics & illustrations and I run a DIY vintage clothing boutique on the side called Moonicorn Vintage.
I operate out of a small town called Lockhart, Texas which as become a bit of a satellite town for the Austin music scene.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Sustaining myself as an artist over the years has not been easy. The biggest challenge an artist faces is supporting themselves financially while also having enough time and stability to hone their craft & stay inspired for creation.
A musician spends most of their life working towards mastery on their instruments and keeping their skills intact. This can take up most of the bandwith in your mind and survival can be a delicate balance for any artist.
But it’s the obsession that makes the artist.
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?
My project Naomi Stinnett’s Lost Girls is a rock band that deals with songs about women– the forgotten, the forlorn, the abused and mistreated. I play guitar, sing and play fiddle & string arrangements on the album.
My relationship with creativity has centered around sewing the various traumas and ups and downs of life into creative gold, magic so to speak. I turn pain into beauty and marvel at the darkness and the light.
My on stage presentation combines my background with performance art & visual art to create a spectacle akin to a David Bowie concert with other influences ranging from Patsy Cline to Patti Smith.
Last year I was awarded a grant from the City of Austin live music fund to create this work.
More on the concept album I’ll be releasing soon at: www.naomichereistinnett.com
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
My mother has always been my biggest supporter and encouraged me from a young age to follow in the footsteps of my grandfather and become a self employed artist. My grandfather James Gucwa, aka Kingneon is an established and internationally known painter collected by the likes of Alice Cooper.
My band mates over the years have all been influences on me as an artist and my current producer Jason Chronis known for his work in Tele Novella and Voxtrot has been a great supporter of my upcoming album.
My sister Sarah Barlow and I grew up singing and playing music together and are always cheering each other on with our musical projects.
My good friend Grace Reyer from Plum Creek Records has also been a great supporter of my life and we currently share a retail space together where my shop Moonicorn Vintage is also located.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.naomicheriestinnett.com
- Instagram: @lostgirlsmusic
