We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Layane Smith. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Layane below.

Hi Layane , thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I took art lessons about 22 Years ago in Brazil , where I was living , in order to help me de-stress from my first job as a dentist . I immediately fell in love with painting !
I kept painting on the side and working as a dentist primarily until COVID hit. I was quarantined for a short period of time but enough to decide that I want to take my art to the front page of my life instead of the background as it had been for almost 20 years .
I have even taught painting lessons but I have never considered myself a professional artist until I enrolled at Milan Art Institute in 2020 and graduated from the Art Mastery Program . My skills improved drastically as I already had some experience painting. I started being confident selling my artwork, and getting commissioned . If I knew how much this would change my life for better , I would had taken an art course and invested more in my art many years ago . I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to handle my professional life , being a mom of young kids , and taking care of the house , despite I kept dreaming with colors and ideas , and my creativity wanted so bad to get out of me .It was not easy to balance my work as a dentist , take care of the house, family , and paint about 20+ hours a week, but I didn’t give up . Dedication and passion are essential tools for any artist or anyone who really wants to improve their craft . Now , art has the same weight ( if not more ) than other areas in my life , and I exercise my creativity , which ultimately made me a much happier person .. I feel extremely grateful and proud for having the courage to finally pursue my dream of becoming a professional artist and being able to work with what I am most passionate about . My biggest obstacle was myself and my doubts . And I am so happy I overcame them and became who I was meant to be .

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a Brazilian -American artist . I work mostly with Mixed Media , but I love painting with acrylics and oils as well . I have been painting for more than 20 Years and I am a graduate of the Art Mastery Program from the Milan Art Institute ..
I am also a runner, nature lover, and freedom is one of the things that I value the most . My work is inspired on nature, wild animals , birds, and the beautiful scenes I see when I run . My colors are bright and joyful and remind me of the interesting culture of my home country, Brazil . Brazilians are loud and happy and this shows on my paintings .
I love painting animals and I am always creating new collections of art . I also do a lot of commissions of special places to people : a special home they lived in , their favorite place or beach , a beautiful landscape .
My goal is to inspire people with my art and make them happy . I want people to feel energized when they look at my paintings and to think of – always positive- symbolism behind it .
I love when someone finds my art and they have a special connection with the piece to the point of tears when I explain my inspiration . I believe each artwork that I create is made especially for someone who eventually will find it .

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My mission is to beautify spaces with art that wills people to live happy and fulfilling lives . I believe art heals, art connects us to the divine through emotions ,and art has the power of making us happy .
All my pieces are created with a specific intention of reminding their owners of the possibilities of improvement , self discovery, and happiness.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Art was , is , and will always be a way to reflect on our contemporary world and connect with a higher power through our emotions , it also defines generations. Art has the power to evoke so many feelings , that every single household, store , school , hospitals should be filled with it . I am big fan of art that inspires and evoke positive feelings ; and it is a shame to have so many artists that go unknown or can’t barely pay for basic expenses to live . I believe it is a duty for society to promote art and patronage artists as this is beneficial to all as a whole . Individual should be encourage to buy from local artists and fill their spaces with beauty and inspiration through artworks .

Contact Info:

• Website: https://layanesmithart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/layanesmithart/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/100082808554780/

Image Credits
Photographs by Vanessa Lara Photography