Today we’d like to introduce you to Lenora Pousland.
Hi Lenora, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been naturally inclined to do art my whole life, but when I was eight, I luckily found a painting teacher and mentor with whom I studied for ten years. She taught me everything I knew about classical technique, and as I grew up, she encouraged me to use art as a creative outlet. In 2019, I pursued an art degree and began my studies at the Paris College of Art in France. This is where I grew as an artist and discovered I could push the boundaries I was used to. Unfortunately, my studies were cut short due to Covid and some mental health issues, and I moved back to Austin. However, since then, I’ve been making more art than ever. It’s been a source of joy for me and has helped me overcome many challenges. My art now is expressive and experimental. I use oil paint most but incorporate a lot of mixed media.
Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, has it been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Art has been a smooth road in that it’s always been there for me. In another way, however, it’s been a very bumpy road. I’ve struggled with mental health issues most of my life and have encountered some very challenging circumstances. But during these times, I produce the most art, as it helps me process and heal. That’s why much of my art has themes of psychology. The real bump in the road is the challenge of selling my art in Austin. The art community is still quite small here, and I find that buyers are often looking for something particular and have found my art “weird” in some cases. However, this doesn’t bother me because I put my genuine self into my work, making it special.
Let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m an artist specializing mostly in painting and, occasionally, installation art and sculpture, but I am known mostly for oil painting. However, I’ll use any medium, whether paint, wood, or dirt, if it helps me bring an idea to fruition. I like to work spontaneously, so I capture my energy at that moment of concentration, thus expressing my most genuine self and humanity. Usually, I will start with a brush and an idea, letting it evolve from there. I’m mostly known for the work that I’ve been showing this past year. I made a series of portraits, using bright colors and flowing brush strokes to create a strong sense of energy and identity in each one. Lately, I’ve been taking the same process and incorporating many textures and light effects, making dreamy landscapes for smaller paintings within. I’m trying to represent nostalgia and childhood innocence. Overall, I’m most proud of the evolution of my artwork. I still enjoy looking at my old pieces even if they don’t resonate with me anymore because they capture a moment in my life. Although my art changes as I experiment and grow, each painting is an honest expression of how I feel, and this is what people relate to the most.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned about art is the ability not to fear failure. I worried for far too long about creating perfect art, coming up with grand ideas, and being frustrated when they didn’t turn out exactly how I wanted. It caused me a lot of stress because I wanted to create but had that fear. Luckily, I made friends in art school who inspired me. I saw how they created art purely out of their love for it. They taught me that not every piece of art will be a masterpiece, but they are all important because they are stepping stones to the subsequent great work. This was a turning point for me and changed how I paint.
Contact Info:
- Website: lenorapousland.com
- Instagram: @nottobetruffledwith
