We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lindsay Townsend a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Lindsay, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I was in high school when I realized that I wanted to pursue art professionally. I’d always been considered a talented artist, but a few disappointing experiences made me want to try harder. First, I’d been rejected from the arts high school in the city where I grew up. Second, while I was taking a photography workshop my junior year, the instructor told me that I was not a very good photographer. Luckily, in both instances, I had adults come in and provide me with the encouragement I needed and I felt a need to try harder because I knew the talent was there. Once I got to art school, I had so many professors who encouraged me and pushed me to do better. Eventually one thing led to another and I became a high school art teacher, where I am able to surround myself with many creative minds. As such, I am able to bounce ideas off them and have grown in many ways as an artist.
Lindsay, 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?
I am an artist and a teacher. During the week, I am a digital art and photography teacher. In my spare time, I work as a professional artist. I’ve always been an artist. From the time I was a small child, I was intrigued by my parents’ old Canon camera and as I got older, I learned how to use it. Eventually, through the right encouragement and mentors, I became an art teacher and practicing artist. Most of all, I enjoy putting my work out into the world, either through shows or Instagram. With my artwork, I usually fall into a traditional style, often finding influence from portraits of strong women. Furthermore, I use my children as models A LOT! My favorite images I’ve created are those where the subject is looking straight into the camera. Furthermore, I’ve been inspired by old family photos and the impact those old images. With that, I’ve taken to combining the old and the new lately.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
As a teacher, I will say one of the best ways a society can support artists and creatives is to encourage and support art programs in schools. Our programs are under threat from lack of funding, and honestly, a lack of appreciation. Not only does a thriving art program cultivate and nurture future artists and creatives, but it helps other students whose talents lie in other areas grow as students and individuals. An education supported by the arts leads to divergent thinking, greater skills of observation, and nurtures critical thinking. Like any subject, art classes help students learn how to think! Additionally, a strong arts education leads to future artists and art enthusiasts, therefore a thriving creative ecosystem.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
I didn’t always plan to go into education and, in fact, resisted it for a very long time. When I was in college, my father passed away, which led to a deep depression. Furthermore, as I was on the cusp of adulthood and needing to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, I chose to go to graduate school to delay the inevitable entry into adulthood. After my time in school ended, I entered the workforce at the beginning of a financial crash in our country. So I bounced around working odd jobs—substitute teaching, sticking political signs in yards, freelance design and photo restoration, and general assistant work with a lot of lawyers to name a few. I even volunteered in an art library hoping it would lead to a job in my field. At my lowest, I was not creating work; I didn’t have the means to. I still sketched and planned, but I didn’t have the materials to create. Furthermore, I was deeply depressed from everything that happened and found creating so hard. I honestly felt that I was not worth any space on this Earth, but I kept living and trying every day. Eventually, one thing led to another and I found myself as a long term substitute for a photography teacher. That was then followed by a job adjunct teaching at Houston Community College. From there, I enrolled in a teaching program. It was then that everything fell into place. I hustled to find a job and, truthfully, did not recognize the person selling herself at the job fairs and in the interviews. But soon all my hard work led a teaching post I’ve been at for ten years now. In that job, I’ve met other creatives who have influenced and inspired me in more ways than I can express and I hope I’ve done the same for them. My art has evolved so much since I first walked into the doors of my school and without it, I would not have the life I do now. For that, I am eternally grateful.
Contact Info:
- Website: Lindsaytowns.com
- Instagram: @lindsaytownsendphoto