We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Beth LaPenna a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Beth , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

My artistic journey is deeply intertwined with the influences of my father, a passionate art collector, and my mother’s radiant brilliance, symbolized by her treasured diamond wedding ring. Through my art, I strive to explore and express the profound impact of these two significant influences in my life.

My father’s art collection surrounded me as a child and provided a constant source of inspiration and enchantment. The walls of our home displayed a diverse range of artistic styles, periods, and mediums, exposing me to a rich tapestry of creative expression. From classical masterpieces to contemporary works, the collection became a gateway into the vast world of art, nurturing my imagination and expanding my visual vocabulary.

In parallel, my mother’s diamond, with its remarkable sparkle and allure, represented her elegance, strength, and resilience. It was a reflection of her inner radiance, capturing the brilliance of her spirit. This precious gemstone symbolized her influence on my life, encouraging me to embrace my own uniqueness and shine brightly in the world.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

After earning a degree in Human Resources and trying on different professional hats, I took a leap of faith and moved from Nashville, TN to Houston, TX to pursue my dream of becoming an Interior Designer. Selecting, framing and installing art for clients was an exciting facet of my business.

As my 32 year career as a licensed professional Interior Designer came to a close, I discovered acrylic fluid art. It was my first foray into painting. Using a hair dryer, child’s sand shovel, treadmill oil, balloons and a colander, I found the possibilities to be endless. And color! My passion as an artist is enlivening each canvas with expressions of color and movement. The beauty of fluid art is trusting your intuition to create art that can’t be produced any other way.

Now fully immersed in the realm of fine art, I have discovered a profound love for the transformative power of acrylics, collage, glazes, ink, and handmade prints on canvas, paper and cradled wood. These versatile materials allow me to explore a wide range of techniques and to experiment with textures, colors, and forms. My artistic process is driven by an unwavering curiosity and a thirst for connection and expression.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

In a world brimming with infinite possibilities and vibrant hues, I find solace and inspiration in the realm of art. As an artist driven by an unquenchable thirst for creativity, I revel in the dance between brush and canvas, as colors fuse and blend, giving rise to new dimensions and captivating contrasts. It is within this interplay of light and shadow that I find my voice, my unique signature embedded in each stroke and swirl.

Beyond the technicality of mediums lies a deep-seated passion for beauty—a love affair with life itself. I believe art has the power to transcend boundaries and touch the core of our humanity. It is through this lens of reverence that I approach my work, infusing it with a wide-ranging color palette that mirrors the kaleidoscope of emotions and experiences that shape our existence.

Welcome to my artistic sanctuary, where I invite you to step into a world of color, to engage in a visual dialogue that transcends language and resonates deep within your being. It is my hope that the textures and patterns I paint become whispers of untold stories, and the love of beauty weaves its way into the very fabric of our shared human experience.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

As a former professional Interior Designer with my own business, I was very focused on designing, selling, producing and pleasing my clients, naturally. I also hired and trained other Interior Designers as well as worked as a National Speaker for the Interior Design Industry. Becoming licensed by the Texas Board of Architectural Examiners took years to attain. My life consisted of go, go, go and do, do do!

Life as a professional artist is quite the opposite. Slowing down and embracing a new artistic journey after a career as an interior designer has been an enriching and rewarding experience. Here are some lessons I have learned as I have navigated this transition and now embrace a slower pace as an artist:

1. Embrace the process: As an artist, I focus on enjoying the journey rather than solely aiming for the end result. Artistic endeavors often require time and patience, so I am savoring each step of the creative process. I’m allowing myself to experiment, make mistakes, and learn from them without rushing to complete a piece.

2. Practice mindfulness: Incorporating mindfulness into my artistic practice by being fully present in the moment helps keep me focused. I try to engage my senses and pay attention to the details daily. I’m noticing the textures, colors, and shapes that inspire me. This mindful approach has helped me slow down, find inspiration, and connect deeply with my art.

3. Set realistic goals: Instead of pressuring myself to produce a certain number of artworks within a specific time frame, I now set realistic goals that align with my new pace. Allowing myself the freedom to explore different techniques, styles, and subjects without the pressure of meeting strict deadlines has made creating art a pleasure. When I sense that I am slipping back into my old “production” mode, I take a deep breath and set aside time to meditate.

4. Engage with my surroundings: I take the time to observe and appreciate the beauty of my surroundings. I have slowed down and I try to remember to immerse myself in the environment—whether it’s nature, architecture, or everyday objects. I draw inspiration from these observations and let them influence my artistic expressions.

5. Create a dedicated space: I have designated a dedicated space for my artistic endeavors—I have a studio in my home where I can focus on my art. This space serves as a sanctuary for my creative process and helps me mentally shift into a slower, more reflective mindset. I am vigilant about staying organized. This desire comes directly from my experience as an Interior Designer. Chaos may not bother other artists, but I do stay fairly disciplined in this regard. I even have a YouTube video showing how I stay organized!

6. Experiment with different mediums: I continue to explore various art mediums and techniques that allow me to work at a slower pace. For example, working with oil paints or sculpting with clay often requires more time and patience than working with digital mediums. I choose mediums that resonate with me and that encourage a slower, more meditative approach.

7. Seek inspiration from other artists: I enjoy engaging with the work of other artists who embody a slower pace in their creative process. I study their techniques, learn from their experiences, and draw inspiration from their ability to embrace the art of slowing down. This has helped me cultivate a mindset that aligns with my artistic journey.

The transition from interior designer to artist has been an opportunity for personal growth and self-expression. Embracing the freedom to create at my own pace and enjoying the journey of discovering my artistic voice in this new chapter of my life has been a dream come true.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Bethlapenna.com
• Instagram: @Bethlapenna
• Linkedin: Beth LaPenna
• Youtube: @Bethlapenna 8197

Image Credits
Barbara Potter Photography and Studio