We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lynn Alker . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lynn below.
Alright, Lynn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?
My art journey and subsequent career started at the best time in my life. At the age of 60 I began taking traditional painting classes and after a year I pursued abstract art. As an avid collector of abstracts this was a natural gravitation for me. Within a few years I was actively entering juried exhibitions and had gallery representation. Being a self taught artist requires me to be disciplined and maintain a rigorous work ethic. I don’t believe I could have accomplished the work I’ve done, as a younger women, raising a family and juggling other responsibilities. I have the good fortune to have a supportive spouse and the time and desire to pursue my art with passion and determination. I also can bring life experience and maturity to my work now.
I describe myself as an emotional painter. My subject matter often includes environmental, equality, human rights, mental health and medical issues. I prefer to keep these subtle as not to lead my viewers, but they are there, within the work.
Art has the ability to invigorate and energize as well as soothe and heal. I believe we always need art and especially during these tumultuous times. I’m grateful I can use my artistic voice to shed light on important topics and hopefully offer respite in difficult times.
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
So I enrolled in art classes at my local Arts and Recreation Department. Those classes were primarily traditional, still life, oils practice. While I enjoyed learning those lessons, I knew I would gravitate to abstracts as that is my love.
My work is ever changing -I love experimenting with materials, and working in different sizes keeps me challenged. I never plan my paintings; always starting with mark making and let them evolve. Watching the painting come alive is exciting and fulfilling.
I have been working six years now and have amassed a substantial body of work, some of which I am quite proud.
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
We have to keep school arts education alive and well for our children. Art is therapy and provides an outlet for students and adults. Arts programs must not be thought of as “electives” and are worthy of fighting for, and finding funding.
There should be plenty of venues to show and support art. Businesses, health facilities, street corners are all wonderful places to showcase art. I happen to live in a thriving arts community, but every town and city can do that.
Supporting creative people is easy. Buy art from artists, buy music from musicians, Go to the galleries etc
Don’t buy mass produced products, buy from a creator.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I feel social media is about being social. I allot a certain amount of time daily to engage with my audience and support my fellow artists. By doing so I now have a community of artists and creators, who are important to me and help me expose my work. They inspire me to take risks and be the best artist I can be. The talent we see on Instagram is astounding. I love it so much!
Social media is an excellent marketing tool. I’ve sold paintings from a single post. It takes time and patience to build a following, but worth it in many ways. My followers are my art community and have been organically grown.
Thank you Canvas Rebel for inviting me to this interview and thank you for shining the light on artists.
Contact Info:
- Website: lynnalker.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/lynnalker
- Facebook: Facebook.com/lynnalkerart
Image Credits
Elizabeth Galecke Photography