Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Cole Lyons. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Cole, thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
I went to art school for illustration right out of high school. Learning from my peers and being surrounded by people also passionate about art was the thing that made me so excited and work very hard. You feel motivated to show up and work hard when you are surrounded by people doing the same thing. Another takeaway from school was just intense practice. My daily schedule was demanding with 5-10hrs+ a day drawing. The sheer volume of drawing was both exhausting and incredibly rewarding. In terms of obstacles, being young and living in a big city for the first time meant that there was so much to explore and experience but it could also be distracting. Finding time to enjoy newfound independence and keep up with art school required some discipline. It helped that I loved art so much.
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.
My name is Cole Lyons(he/him) I am a visual artist, painter and art teacher. I am very passionate about capturing the breathtaking landscapes around Oregon and beyond by immersing myself in untamed wilderness. I try to reflect my love of the outdoors with my brushstrokes and paintings.
Through my artistic expressions, I hope to ignite a collective appreciation for the beauty of Oregon’s landscapes while fostering a sense of environmental stewardship. My paintings serve as a gentle reminder that the preservation of our planet is not only a duty, but also a privilege that we must uphold for generations to come.
I started recently teaching art and it has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I feel honored to inspire creativity and guide people in the creative process. I love helping students build confidence in their own abilities, Many students start out with doubts about their work, but as they learn and practice they gain confidence not only in art but in themselves.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Creating is not just an activity but a necessity, I have to do it. Without the ability to create, I would feel suffocated, as if a vital part of my life were missing. Part of that joy is the emotional satisfaction, of experiencing something meaningful and expressive which only creating art can give. Another large thing for me it a sense of purpose. This sense of purpose drives me also to continually improve my skills and push myself. Basically being an artist isn’t a career or hobby, its who I am. I think most artists feel this way and some act on it while others cannot.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
One thing I had to unlearn from my time in school for illustration is that illustration is client-driven, meaning the art should prioritize the client’s feelings and vision and their feedback — above my own. I realized this environment wasn’t for me and I delved into fine art painting. I found it to be a more deeply personal art form. I was guided by my own vision and emotions of the world. Learning to prioritize my own creative instincts and trust my intuition has been a significant shift. What was challenging when I was first starting out painting, now is one of the things I love most about it. The autonomy to paint what I want is both challenging and rewarding, allowing me to create work that is all my own.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://colelyonsart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colealexanderlyons/
- Other: https://www.ulnastudio.com/
https://www.radiusstudio.org/shop/workshops/painting-drawing-printmaking/
