We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Laylah. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Laylah below.

Alright, Laylah thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

My parents have had an immense impact on my life and creative career; there hasn’t been a moment when I haven’t had their support. Growing up, I always loved art, but it started as a hobby. As I gained confidence in my work, I began to consider it as my main career for the future. I remember being nervous about mentioning my plan to my parents, as fully pursuing art is often seen as an unstable choice. They were immediately on board, pouring into me as an artist and leaving me more encouraged than ever.
More specifically, when I started art school, there were times when the stress of everything would get to me, and I’d doubt myself. Whenever that happened, my parents were the first to reassure me that I could do anything I put my mind to and reminded me to trust myself to flourish. My mom and dad have been by my side every step of my artistic journey, cheering me on. I truly do it for them.

Laylah, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Up until my senior year of high school, my work mostly consisted of smaller school assignments and fun sketches I created to practice new techniques. When I moved to Los Angeles, I began painting larger pieces and started building my personal portfolio. Attending school and connecting with other creatives opened new doors for me to network around the city and gain a stronger voice in the industry I plan to enter.
Now that I’ve been here longer, I’ve started to gain more traction by posting my work and meeting clients in person. I’m still new to the scene, but I’m building a solid foundation in the art world—one I’m excited to invest in.

I’m well-versed in various mediums such as acrylic, charcoal, and printmaking, but my main passion and area of expertise is oil painting. I strive to collaborate closely with clients to bring their vision to life in the final result. I also continue to work on personal passion projects and plan to start creating more series to showcase and grow my name.

Although I come from a family of creatives—some of whom loved music and others who had a passion for art—they didn’t have the resources to pursue those paths, and a career in fine art wasn’t a stable option for them. I’m proud to be someone in my family who can carry that dream forward and grateful for the opportunity to give it my all.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is witnessing the different perspectives and emotions my work evokes in each viewer. Nothing excites me more than asking someone what they see or feel when they experience my art—every response is unique, shaped by the individual. I also find it fascinating when a common thread begins to emerge among different people’s reactions. Knowing that the sense of home and comfort I aim to convey is being felt by others truly fills me with joy.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I used to visit museums occasionally, as most people do, but recently I’ve started going much more often. I never realized how much you can learn about an artist’s process just by closely observing their work. These frequent museum visits have expanded my ideas for upcoming pieces and inspired me to experiment with new painting techniques. Bringing a sketchbook and playing with compositions while studying portraits has become a fun and effective way to sharpen my technical skills. Immersing yourself in art—whether at museums, local galleries, art markets, or exhibitions—is an invaluable resource that I believe every emerging artist should take full advantage of.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @laylahwinansart
• Linkedin: Laylah Winans