We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Domenica Lubay a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Domenica, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
I knew I wanted to be an artist since I was 12. Way back in the 7th grade I remember we were completing a worksheet about envisioning our future lives and dream jobs – I wrote “artist” and drew a little paintbrush. It’s kind of crazy that I remember that but I do! When I was 14 I passed the entrance exam to an Arts and Design high school but I ended up not attending. As circumstances would have it, life took me down a different path. I went on to earn a Master’s degree in English and worked for years as an English teacher. Twenty-five years would go by before I would find my way back to art.
In 2021 I had been working in a small accounting firm for about three years. I had just turned 40 and was beginning to ask myself what I was doing with my life. A desk job calculating numbers was not it. One day I was faced with the question “what would you do if you knew you couldn’t fail?” and the answer was clear as day. I decided it was now or never. That summer, with the full support of my husband, I quit my job and enrolled in a year-long art program. Thus began my art journey and even though it hasn’t always been easy, I am ridiculously happy I went for it.
Several of my paintings now hang in a very cool little art gallery/shop in a beautiful and historic Houston neighborhood. I’m preparing for my first ever art shows and I recently launched my website. Sure, sometimes it feels scary or even ludicrous to be kicking off an art career at this point in my life but there’s truly nothing else I’d rather be doing.
Domenica , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am a mixed media pop artist based in Houston, TX. I kind of fly by the seat of my pants when I create and I never really know what I am going to paint next – a waffle, a portrait, or a fish wearing a party hat? Oftentimes a random idea will pop up in my head and I’ll just run with it. I think those are my most fun paintings, actually. I don’t limit myself in any way and I believe it’s vital for creatives to express themselves freely. Consequently, my art might not be for everyone and that’s perfectly okay.
Having fun is a big part of my process and my brand. While I do take my work seriously, I try to have fun with it all as much as I can. The more I paint the better I get at catching myself getting too cerebral at times. At the end of the day it’s just some paint and a canvas. You just have to tap into your heart and paint what’s there. When you’re authentic, I think people connect with that. And those connections are what makes being an artist so special.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
I think sometimes people might not fully understand how vulnerable it is to be an artist. As creatives we leave huge pieces of our souls behind in our work whether we intend to or not. And that’s a really beautiful thing. To create something out of nothing and then share it with the world can be quite daunting. But I believe it’s important that we share our art even when it feels uncomfortable; we never know who needs to hear our message or who we might inspire. What’s more, stepping outside our comfort zone is how we grow. The creative journey is complex and there’s no finish line. It’s demanding, humbling, and totally intimidating at times, but it’s also incredibly exciting, endlessly fascinating, and best of all, it’s enormously healing.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
That my art (hopefully) adds a sprinkle of joy to people’s lives. I think we can all agree that the world could always use a little extra cheerfulness and color. I have a small but ever-growing art collection that brings me so much delight. I become a kid in a candy store whenever I walk past it. So when someone genuinely enjoys my art, whether they merely see it and tell me they love it or it speaks to them so profoundly they collect it, that feels like pure magic to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.fuckaroundandfindart.com
- Instagram: @domenicalubay