Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jen LaVita. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jen , appreciate you joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Risk taking is something I believe in and it’s served me well so far in life. What it does, is push the existing boundaries of what you THINK you’re capable of and makes way for so much more beyond that.

I took a risk choosing an out of state college, of joining Army ROTC while at Syracuse. I graduated an Army Officer and served four years. I pushed myself in physically and emotionally. After my service, I decided to head west to Los Angeles, only knowing one or two people. Now I’ve been here ten years and have found community, family and the foundation of my career as an artist. June 2021, I took another risk and decided to go full time as an artist. Super scary and unknown, but I felt in my core I could do it, the only thing holding me back was fear. I’m happy to say that it’s been well worth it at this point. Spread your wings and be brave, you never know what’s waiting for you on the other side.

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

Like many artists, I’ve been creating since a young age. I really started honing those skills in high school, completing my first mural of the Venice Italy canals in my parents’ dining room. Painting was always a passion of mine, I just like creating things. These days, I offer custom commission paintings and murals. I work with watercolor, acrylic and spray paint. I enjoy incorporating collage and gold foil. I love seeing the space a client wants the work for, and collaborating with them to bring to life the perfect artwork. I can work from reference or conceptualize something completely new. My work is also available as prints, magnets, coasters and apparel. I like offering a wide variety of functional art at different price points because I think it’s important to make art accessible to everyone. My work is inspired by nature’s colors, textures and patterns, I use saturated and unexpected colors and bold brush stokes to create vibrant scenes of animals and landscapes. My use of color is bright, bold and happy. I want people to be transported, uplifted and happy when they look at my artwork.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Hands down, the most rewarding part of being an artist is sharing that with others. Art has allowed me to connect with my community, beautify areas with color and life, and make life long friends with my fellow creatives. One organization I’m involved with facilitates painting murals in low income schools in Los Angeles. Sometimes the kids help paint it and their excitement is unparalleled. The impact the art has can be felt across the school, from students, teachers and parents. To me, it’s such a gift I get to create for them.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I love exploring and trying new things through my creative journey, I’ve strived to keep an open mind about what an artist is and can do for work.

This philosophy has led me to collaborate with other artists, live paint competitively and for events, sell at art fairs and markets, and open an online shop. I also teach art classes weekly and host a monthly art workshop. I’ve painted huge murals for the city, made custom birthday cards, painted on clothing, shown work in galleries and a museum. Keeping the door open to new opportunities only enriches my art arsenal and I believe that one thing leads to another and skills build on themselves. So all in all, my mission is to see where my art can take me and live in the moment.      

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.jenlavita.com
• Instagram: Www.instagram.com/jenlavitaart
• Facebook: Www.Facebook.com/jenlavitaart
• Linkedin: Jen LaVita

Image Credits
Jessica Linderman Concrete Caviar Jen LaVita