We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lara James a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Lara, so great to have you sharing your thoughts and wisdom with our readers and so let’s jump right into one of our favorite topics – empathy. We think a lack of empathy is at the heart of so many issues the world is struggling with and so our hope is to contribute to an environment that fosters the development of empathy. Along those lines, we’d love to hear your thoughts around where your empathy comes from?
The most recent thing that enlarged my capacity for empathy was a sudden Stage-4 sarcoma cancer attack in 2022, right after I’d been diagnosed with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (stage one). I lost ability to work and drive, and became dependent on the kindness of family, friends and strangers, who did not disappoint. I was getting rides to the cancer center two hours away, sleeping most of the time, and suffering the humblest experiences during and after radiation and chemotherapy, as I lost weight, muscle, athletic ability and was for a time unable even to walk without a walker. Time after time, God provided nurses, rides, groceries and sacrificial gifts. He put empathetic people in my way who served me with joy not for what they could receive from me, but just to give, to listen and to encourage me. At the same time, no matter how down I became and how life-threatening my illness was, I saw many others in worse shape who continued to fight and even now, as I pray for healing from the cancer treatment and surgery, they help me overcome with memory of their courage.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
During my cancer fight I couldn’t work on quilts so I began to go back to the smaller projects I’d put aside years before; collaging and carving stamps to print. I began to use the hard-shelled, gentle armadillo as the subject of much of my prints. That led me to put my work out on a Facebook business page and Instagram. Since I’m able to quilt again, I now frequently add quilts and knit work to my textiles page, and prints and collages to the page I originally started for small paintings. Each year my goals expand, even as I wait on God for healing and celebrate how far he’s brought me. Last year my armadillo prints multiplied. This year, I’m expanding to other subjects and plan to have a 2025 calendar for sale. Along with that, I’m diving into surface design, adding to the experience I got in grad school. Ultimately, I’d love to support my fellow-artist-and-retired-Marine husband, Rob, by selling my fabric and stationery with my whimsical, hand-painted drawings, and licensing them to sell on additional products. I believe if God gives the desire, with hard work he will make these dreams come true.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Three helpful qualities I’ve had are that I’m willing to go wherever inspiration takes me without killing work in progress by judging it; I am able to accept criticism to help me improve and be sure that what I’m trying to say is coming across; and I am willing to learn from anyone. I’m certainly not now, and I never will be, above anyone else. I can learn from any artist’s process and work, and these experiences enrich me and my work in untold ways. I believe we’re all made in God’s image, and each person has something to teach me.
Advice:
I believe in feeding a thirsty mind. Learning all I can of things that pique my interest can pay off in remarkable ways down the road. We don’t always see how they’ll benefit us, but learning just for the delight of it is enough. It’ll be there when I need it.
Be willing to try. When I’m offered a new media to try, I dive in. This can lead to mixing media, and it can also lead to collaboration! You never know, so why not try?
Don’t force something that isn’t working. Take a break, go for a run, write a letter, bake some bread or engage in something completely different. I often don’t know how it helps, but when I return to my studio, I often have a solution to try, or an even better solution.
And under all the best advice in the world, I believe in praying to a loving Savior, Jesus, who has given me abilities to use to bring him glory. I don’t have to worry about how this will happen. As I keep persevering, he has promised, he will keep working through me.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
The cancer, the surgery, and the radiation have left me with inflammation and shorter useful hours in my day. At times I fight pain, discouragement and can get overwhelmed. This year I’m breaking down my big goals into small steps. I’ve also written a big list of smaller goals. It is satisfying to check each off as I accomplish it. I’m letting go of each thing once it’s done. I will do what I can; and trust God for the results.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @onthemendtextiles @angelcakepaintings
- Facebook: On the Mend Textiles and Paintings
- Etsy shop: OntheMendByLara
