Meet Lenny Cabanero-harvey

We recently connected with Lenny Cabanero-harvey and have shared our conversation below.

Lenny, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?

Out of all of the possible questions that I could have answered, it surprised me that this was the one I chose. On the outside, I think most people would describe me as overly positive and hopeful. I laugh a little to myself as I think this may be an unexpected characteristic of someone who is a product of Generation X and the first born of Asian Immigrants. I mean,,, if you know, you know, right? I would love to say that this joy comes naturally and I never have to work at it and this has been a part of me forever, but the reality is, is that everyday is a true struggle. If you have ever lived with anxiety and depression, I can only describe it as walking through life, if life was a vat of maple syrup. It’s annoying. There’s so much effort that goes into getting through it, but at the same time it’s comforting and sometimes you just want to let it encompass you. At first, I used “happiness and humor” to mask my pain and weakness, which is not uncommon for most people. Always the life of the party, encouraging the group to pull an all-nighter so our presentation would be perfect, and everyone’s cheerleader. It was exhausting. I was lost for so long until decided to pay attention to the events, discussions, and activities that actually bring me joy. For me, that was in the form of Creating, Teaching and Innovating. Once I started to fill myself with things that made me complete, it was like I was fueled with the energy to help others find the same. I didn’t realize it at the time but teaching, especially at the high school level, became the perfect environment to help. I was able to aid kids at a critical time in their lives where they’re making important decisions. They are surrounded with such self-doubt, uncertainty and outside negativity. It was such an honor when someone trusted you to encourage them, to be their support and to get them through those stages right before “adulthood”. Now that I am no longer teaching full-time, I can reflect as an outsider, and wow, there is no other kind of optimist than Art Teacher optimism. I mean, I may be a bit bias, but when you have to hustle on social media and craigslist to get paper or drive an hour to the next city because a warehouse is closing and they are giving away free wood, isn’t that a level of optimism like no other? The idea that every extra effort you make, no matter how inconvenient and tiring will benefit your students and they may potentially make great things… which in reality will eventually go in the trash. Teaching art for over 2o years was THE hardest but MOST fulfilling job I will ever have and it changed me to be a better version of who I wanted to be.

The struggle is still a constant but fortunately so is the optimism. As I get older, and my parents get older, there is new stage of optimism that has become a necessity. I want to spend our time on the earth looking at the Good.

I have a wonderful supportive husband and 2 beautiful daughters. We are responsible for molding these two into warriors that can function out in this world and knowing they will one day be adults and bring their own positive light into the world is all I could hope for.

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?

I don’t know that I would call myself your stereotypical artist. I am truly a product of seasoned art educator, ceramic artist and digital designer. I have my hands in a lot of difference buckets. As someone with an Art Education degree that focused more on the arts over the education I was required and was happily exposed to EVERYTHING. Of course, your tried-and-true Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Printmaking was great foundation, but nothing had me like the Fine Crafts; Textiles, jewelry, woodworking. I’m literally gettin’ sweaty just thinking about it! But Ceramics, it had my heart immediately. It started with pottery and slowly became sculptural pottery, which then became more mixed media then to interactive pieces. I blame teaching visual arts and finding inspiration from all of the contemporary artists I’ve researched and introduced to my students.

I have heard others describe my physical work as kid-like but grown up with a vintage tint. I think that is an accurate description of my pottery. However the content of the work is introspective, looking into memory, the root of feelings and habits and when I get really ambitious and have the time to research, I incorporate my love of science.

With hand-drawn images of angry bears and labels that say, “Participant.” the work is silly, but I think people can see the level of experience and technique in each collection. I often am asked for custom work based off of that quirkiness. However, the custom orders are never the same kind of item. My earlier sculptural work included flying pigs, t-rexes and sloths. Because of this I was asked for custom orders from clients that wanted me to sculpt their deceased animals with wings flying through the clouds. it was a beautiful honor. I have a collection of figures where their life story can be seen sculpted through their hair and their secrets or intentions displayed in their bodies. This led to a client asking if I could create a ceramic “trophy” of his colleague that looked like his friend and displayed his life story through his career. Again, another project that was a privilege to create. This would have not happened if I stuck with one material and one concept.

My last show entitled “The Sum of the Parts creates the (w)hole.”) A show based around the link between memory, art and interaction. The art became the tool where participants were forced to interact with each other in ways that create new memories. The show also included a feast of various ceramic foods stamped with questions that sparked conversations with strangers.

I guess “People and Learning about Others through my work” is my brand? Can I say that? I’m saying it. yes.

When I am not creating ceramic games and clay croissants, I am designing watersport jerseys, t-shirts, stickers, creating end to end UI projects, and making graphics for newsletters and social media.

And when there is and “art emergency” I sometimes get a call to repair 3d pieces or build random specific pieces from scratch with short turn around.

So as much as I would like to put myself in this neat, labeled category, the truth is I am all over the place! I am currently working on designing a mixed media (mostly ceramic and recycled material) collection of movable sculptures (content is top secret!) and I am also partnering with Etavele Solutions in designing and building a site that will help young Non-Profits. (also top secret!) I hope to have both up and running by Jan or Feb of 2025.

Ever since I was in school, I was told to stick with one medium and really refine it. Create a style that is distinctively you. And although I understand the logic behind that thought, I just never fit into that bubble. I do think that eventually people should see your style in whatever work you do but if love is in the creation and not the medium… let it be!! I didn’t go through years of learning how to teach every medium only to stick to one!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Oooo this is the easiest question for me to answer, as it is a question students ask me constantly.

1. Just keep making __________. I leave this blank because it SHOULD be open. Just keep making. Even if you don’t want to, Even when your mind is blank. Take 15 min and a sketchbook or a napkin and make a mark, then another and another. Grab a salt packet while you are waiting for your order and pour it in the coffee ring that mug made on the table. Make a stick figure, then make it dance. Eventually something will emerge from that chaos.

2. Research!! I know, it doesn’t sound fun but there are a lot of amazing talented people in the world. If you want to paint, research painters, research where paint comes from, understand color theory, make a Pinterest board, know your history, pay attention to current notable artists. Then start collecting the topics you are interested in. For me, its biology and ecology. Maybe you love politics or animals that build structures whatever it is start documenting what you “like” and find the pattern.

3. Practice your skill. Take a class with good instructors, surround yourself with talented people. After or in between the research and mark making practice your technique and skill. Its everything. If you want to make good work that people will respect, it starts with quality construction.

I think these 3 things are so critical to making good work. I find if there is a piece that feels like its not quite resolved, I’m missing real “originality” and I need to make more marks and find a better way to convey my thoughts (1). My concept is shallow or unclear (2) or the construction is wonky or the display is all wrong (3).

Oh and if you get a chance to read Neil Gaiman’s Speech to VSA : Make Good Art, I highly recommend. It’s inspiring, He is a writer but it applies to visual artist too.

Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?

This question comes at a very interesting time because as I write this, I am in the Philippines with my parents for the first time as an adult and I have the privilege of experiencing this country through their eyes and their memories. You never really know the impact your parents have on your until you are older or have children of your own. I have to say I must have won the parents lottery. I am the oldest child of the oldest child in my Mom and Dad’s families. The first born in the US after they immigrated here from the Philippines in their 20’s. I am not going to go into all the stereotypical verses on Filipino parents and work ethic, careers, etc. but know that the stereotype is true as heck. But what my parents did was model how to hold a household together, to show what a good healthy marriage looks like , how to build a deck and tile a floor and how to find time for vacations. If want something, work for it. if that doesn’t work – figure it out and work smarter and harder. I was a mess growing up and they somehow survived me and continued to support me and my brother ( who was an angel) even when I probably didn’t look like a good investment. They impacted EVERY part of who I am and how I raise my children and I am grateful everyday. There are not enough Thank You’s in the world to truly express to them how much. I wish their green thumb transferred over to but alas, I kill plants the more I love them.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lcharveydesigns.com/
• Instagram: @lcharveydesigner
• Facebook: LCHarvey Designs
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lcharvey