We recently connected with Everly Laveau and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Everly, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
Despite the fact I’ve been a performing musician since childhood and have been studying and creating visual art in a variety of mediums in sincerity since I was a teenager, I’ve kept my works largely hush-hush. Up until recently I have operated as what the author and artist Julia Cameron describes as a “shadow artist”. It wasn’t until the 20th annual Seattle Erotic Art Festival (S.E.A.F.) and the Tucson Erotica Art Show (T.E.A.S.) calls for art in January of 2022 that I decided to submit works which would prove to become the basis of my first ever juried public art shows.
These art entries were indeed risks plural. Risk one (multi-tiered): If my works were accepted I would obviously no longer be a visual artist operating in the shadows. In other words, I would have to stand for once in this particular new-to-me light not knowing how it might feel, whether or not I would be accepted by larger viewing audiences and/or artist peers, or what possible outcomes might ensue or arise out of my decision to enter. Risk two: The decision to attempt at coming out of said shadows as per entering my works into the oft-misunderstood, harshly judged, and to this day frustratingly taboo world of erotic art was in itself a bold move. I will add the act was simultaneously fitting as I am a sex-positive ecofeminist, a supporter of women’s rights, and a supporter of human rights including sex worker’s rights. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect, and in the erotic arts world feminists, women, and other minoritized and dismissed populations have an increasing voice. Lets keep turning up the volume!
Come March of 2022 two of my visual works of art were on display at T.E.A.S., and by May, 2022 several pieces of my sensual abstract sterling silver luxe gemstone jewelry from “The V Collection” were on display at S.E.A.F. None of my sensual works had ever been publicly visible. It was truly one of the most freeing experiences of my life to “come out” as a visual artist and stand concretely beside my work in the ancient world of erotic art. It was extremely humbling to be a part of these beautifully articulated and colorful juried shows. It was equally invigorating to walk among and talk to peers, collectors, and admirers of erotic art. All of this to say: To finally allow myself to breath into a special aspect of who I’ve been all along (i.e. a visual artist) was worth all the risks involved. Absolutely one of the healthiest choices of my adult life.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Everly Laveau and I am an imaginative being. I work as a silversmith, musician, and visual artist. My music and works of art are inherently intimate and ethereal, rooted in sensuality, and influenced by my beloved Alaskan roots, travels, and deep regard for nature including humanity and the human condition. I balance intensity with humor, and effervescence with grace. I am also a relatively new contributor to the erotic art world and in addition to the aforementioned have had the good fortune of being selected for the month-long Tucson Erotica Art Show (T.E.A.S.) the past three years where I have showcased paintings and other artistry.
In the beginning: An internal feral muse has inspired me since I can remember – ceaselessly motivating me to lean into my artistic passions, breathe life into them, and explore my edges in the process. I was born and raised in a visually striking coastal town of Alaska, and from a very young age was deeply moved by the colors, shapes, textures, and overall beauty that surrounded me throughout each season. I consider myself fortunate to have grown up in the wilderness living close to the land. I also consider myself lucky to have been raised by humanitarian parents who value the arts, humor, and exploring the world around them.
A note on music: My mother is a talented lifelong musician who led me to the stage and the world of performing. At age eight she had me singing Castle on a Cloud from Broadway’s Les Misérables at an Alaskan community concert in a packed 500 seat theater while she accompanied me on the piano. I’ve enjoyed the creative process of preparing for performances and being on stage ever since. By 18 I was studying art in the lower 48 and began booking solo gigs at bookstores, festivals, and coffee shops on the weekends. During my twenties I was a regular on the downtown music scene in Tucson, AZ gigging in bars and working on various collaborations with fellow performing musicians. Because I was a “technophobe” I tended to avoid the internet, and therefore have had little presence online. I realize now this was an extension of my prior “shadow artist tendencies”. I am glad to share that after a long hiatus from focusing on my own music I am leaning into it once again. There’s a single on the horizon with an EP to follow, and this time I’ll be sure to go full on “21st century digital girl” (e.g. Spotify, etc.). If you’re interested in viewing some of my works or following me on my journey you can visit my website www.everlylaveau or find me on Instagram: @everlylaveau
Broad strokes: My father (also raised in Alaska) introduced me to French culture. By elementary school the expansive world of French art and history opened up during the summers as our family lived in France while he plugged away at his M.S. in French education. I’ll add I was raised middle class and our family lived very thriftily while abroad (e.g. staying with pre-arranged host families, often picnicking for meals, and heavily utilizing the impressive public transportation systems in Europe). At this very impressionable age and on into high school father brought me and my mother to countless (often free) art museums full of romantic landscapes and scenes, dream-like Surrealist images, and Impressionist works all done in a breathtaking array of styles by countless artists. I also remember cathedrals where I was perpetually hypnotized by the way colors and light danced together through stained glass windows, and palaces and castles fraught with impressive interior design, exquisite outdoor gardens, and of course even more artwork. It was also in France through exposure to nude art and public nudity at beaches my societally imposed “American taboo” surrounding nudity began to wear off. All of these things and more left lasting visual and emotive impressions that still resonate and unearth themselves in unexpected ways throughout my various artistic expressions.
The inspiration to paint: As a ten year old, I vividly remember entering the Musée de l’Orangerie round room of Monet’s Water Lilies. I became instantly enraptured by everything from Monet’s brushstrokes to the way he masterfully mixed colors and harnessed light in his work. I got up as close as the establishment would allow me next to velvet ropes to intently study what was in front of me armed with 12 colored pencils and a small sketchbook. I clumsily began blending royal purple over taffy pink and cobalt blue in an effort to replicate what I was seeing. This was precisely the moment I knew I must learn to paint in sincerity one day.
Stepping into the jewelry-making process: The following year I was given a seed-bead jewelry making kit. Much like my entrance into Monet’s water lily exhibit (and most every time I walked out the door or peered out the windows back home in Alaska) I was once again bowled over by the variety of colors, textures, and shapes – this time at my literal fingertips. I caught “bead fever” (a close cousin to yarn fever & fabric fever), began actively making jewelry, and never stopped. It led me to enlist in a silversmithing class in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico at the Instituto Allende my sophomore year of college while simultaneously living and apprenticing in San Miguel with professional post-impressionist painter and bronze sculptor Rita Torlen. The silver and kaleidoscope of gemstones and painter’s palette both spoke in their own intriguing languages akin to my lifelong experiences taking in the natural beauty of Alaska. For me one of the dominant master strokes of painting and silversmithing was that everything I began learning was analog, and for this analog-loving gal I was instantly in love. Jewelry design came rather naturally, and I’ve found my sensual minimalist pieces strive to allow carefully curated gemstones to guide my abstract all-things-nature-worshipping jewelry designing style.
On smithing & painting: At the silversmithing bench I largely create one-of-a-kind sterling silver jewelry pieces (including some commission work) – all of which I consider wearable art. I carefully select my gemstones, am drawn to harmonious organic shapes, enjoy my time in the design process, and have a focused tender touch. At the painter’s easel this same delicate and intentional touch with an emphasis on organic shapes is frequently applied – except with delicately curated palettes of colors. I have a penchant for oil painting though have yet to release them “into the wild”. I look forward to that… The pieces I do have in the public eye to date are predominantly expressed via watercolors, and pen & ink with gouache. In these mediums I like to work on a small scale, and common subjects depict nature with an emphasis on botanical themes and the naked human form. In both mediums my processes strives to emote and invoke visual and emotional/psychological peace and pleasure for wearers and observers alike.
In response to “The main things I want potential fans to know about me and about my work”: We have a backbone. We’re grounded, open, and wildly curious. We are more than a dash nerdy, we strive to be embodied, and we give a damn about sensuality and nature (again to include humanity and the human condition). My works have been described as “xo rated”, I feel naked is natural, and I would still like the nipple to be freed stat in America and anywhere else it is being held hostage. It’s been a wholly interesting voyage so far, and I expect “le trend” to continue. I have and will continue to honor the processes plural of growing intentionally into my own skin as a creative. While I take a lot of things very seriously my works and I also like to laugh, get a little ridiculous, and let our hair down. Just like you I have known hardship, heartbreak, and hard knocks. I have worked hard for my smile and when it’s on it’s genuine. I aim to have enough fun to soften growing pains and the awkwardness that can come from cycles of metamorphosis, and to make others around me laugh. Also, I will most definitely pick you to be on my dodgeball, croquette, and badminton teams – even if you don’t follow me on Instagram (though I wish you would). I’m respectfully shameless and sometimes repetitious (e.g. @everlylaveau). If you do not like said sports or are unable to participate for any reason I hope to be able to supply ample and satisfactory snacks for your enjoyment. If any of this resonates with you, or alternatively you’re left wondering what on Earth I’m talking about my art and I would love for you to come check us out for yourself!
On “What sets me apart from others?”: Upon deep reflection I feel the most accurate answer is that while many highly creative multipotentialites have eclectic skill sets and are inclined to go about using their expansive toolboxes in unusual ways, my ability to embrace the wholesome and nectarous while jointly embracing strange and even taboo territories is distinctive. The toothsome flavors of cross-pollination in my works keep the act of creating and ensuing content perpetually original, oftentimes titillating, and unabashadly “Everly Laveau”.
When asked the question “What am I most proud of?”, my response is: I have not forgotten nor lost touch with who I wanted to be, and am stepping now with sure feet into my own light. One I dimmed in an attempt to make others “more comfortable” and therefor keep myself “more safe” for a very long time. Now I hope to shine not just for myself but for others. I have tended to and continue to tend my inner gardens, am dedicated to my journey as a human and a creative, and keep showing up for my passions and myself. No one else can do these things for me, and in doing them for myself I have discovered my world has become more sound, more loving, and more inspired.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
On the broad topic of sensuality my current mission is to assist in decreasing shame and stigma around sexuality, basic human anatomy, and pleasure while simultaneously honoring and celebrating them. I feel the celebration of such completely natural aspects of humankind is a vital and missing component for a more balanced, less fractured, and healthy world. With more awareness and understanding (versus ignorance and judgement) comes hope for creating social environments that embrace at minimum tolerance, respect, and safety.
In a more general sense my artistic mission at present is to allow my works the potential to ultimately act as havens for those who resonate, and as inclusive invitations. Invitations into fresh perspectives and deep reflection, invitations into provinces of peace and beauty, invitations into greater vulnerability and strength, and invitations into healthy thought-provoking expansive conversations with oneself and others. Art is a fabulous place to open up much needed dialogue surrounding crucial facets of self and society, facets which may well hold potential for much needed nourishment, healing, and ultimately peace.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
First, foremost, and simply put the best part of being a creative is living a creative life, of living outwards from my center. The good news is we are all capable of this and it can look like many things! One of my favorite quotes is by Helena Bonham Carter who once said “I think everything in life is art. What you do. How you dress. The way you love someone, and how you talk. Your smile and your personality. What you believe in, and all your dreams. The way you drink your tea. How you decorate your home. Or party. Your grocery list. The food you make. How your writing looks. And the way you feel. Life is art.” I hope we can all share this reward and thank you kindly for reading. Until we meet again…
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.silverwilddesigns
- Instagram: @silverwilddesigns
Image Credits
Adam Courtney Photos
Douglas Fur
Velvet and Shadow
Contact Info:
IG: @everlylaveau
Webs