Story & Lesson Highlights with Louise Cutler of Fort Collins Co

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Louise Cutler. Check out our conversation below.

Louise , so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. When was the last time you felt true joy?
Every time I step outside into the open air and take a deep breath — that’s joy. When I feel the breeze on my face, when I see my husband or my children, my heart fills. But above all, the joy of the Lord is my strength, and I draw from it every single day.

You see, joy is not wrapped up in circumstances. Joy doesn’t come from things going right. Joy comes from the Lord. Sometimes I wake up in the morning and joy rises in me simply because I opened my eyes and then I began to think about what God has done for me. Scripture tells us to “count it all joy,” and I take that to heart.

So with every breath that I take, I choose joy — I don’t have to chase it, but because it already lives within me. True joy doesn’t come and go. It doesn’t have a “last time.” It is ever-present, because true joy comes from within, it is God given, The Joy of the Lord is my strenght. It is what keeps me grounded. I do on occasions have to remind myself of this.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Yes, I am artist, curator, writer, and the founder of both Louise Cutler Studio and The Beauty of Blackness Fine Art Show. My work and my brand are rooted in creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and uplifted. Whether via my painting, curating exhibitions, producing cultural events, or teaching, everything I do comes from the belief that art has the power to heal, connect, and transform our communities.

I feel what makes my work unique is that it is deeply personal and spiritual. I create from a place of peace, reflection, and purpose. I specialize in using metal leaf and mixed media to build visual spaces that invite calm, introspection, and cultural connection. Much of my work does not include faces, because I want viewers to enter the piece without barriers—to see themselves within it.

The other thing I am very passionate about is creating opportunities for Black and African American artists in communities where their visibility is often limited. That passion led me to create The Beauty of Blackness Fine Art Show, which has grown into a great cultural event in Fort Collins Colorado.

Another part of my mission is CAP’s (Creative Artist’s Projects)—a program I built to support artists in a very practical, sustainable way. CAP’s not only provides programming for the community but also teaches artists how to monetize their creativity, build alternative income streams, and share their gifts through workshops, talks, and hands-on teaching opportunities. The goal is to empower artists to thrive—not just create, but earn, share, and lead.

I’m currently working on several major projects, including our full lineup for Black History Month 2026, the continued expansion of the Beauty of Blackness Fine Art Show, and a new exhibition I’ll be curating at CSU’s Gregory Allicar Art Museum in Fort Collins . Each project reflects my mission to bring art, culture, and community together in ways that are meaningful, healing, and transformative.

If there’s one thing I want people to know, it’s this: My work is about community, healing, identity, and creating opportunities for others.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Billy — the neighborhood drunk. I know that sounds weird, but its true.

To most people in my neighborhood, Billy was nobody but a drunk. Don’t get me wrong people were kind to him, back in those days we still repected our elders no matter what. But God often uses “the foolish things of this world to confound the wise” (1 Corinthians 1:27), and He used Billy in my life in a powerful way. Even though I didn’t realize it at the time.

Billy was the first person who really saw me. When I was young and often misunderstood, in all the noise and chaos around me, he looked past all of that and in his purity of heart spoke life into me. He saw something in me I hadn’t yet learned to see in myself. At a time when I didn’t fully understand the power of someone believing in me, Billy believed.

Sometimes it’s the people the world overlooks who have the clearest vision. Looking back, I realize Billy was one of the first mirrors God placed in my life — showing me glimpses of who I would become long before I could recognize her myself.

His impact stayed with me so deeply that I included him in one of my songs, The Beauty of a Woman, you can find it on Spotify. that my little plug for my music, Billy’s presence is woven into my story, and the woman I have become. He is someone I will never forget and the gift he gave me.

When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
Not what, who: God.

My grandmother taught me how to pray and to call on the name of Jesus whenever I was afraid or when I wasn’t feeling well. That foundation of faith kept me grounded. It gave me strength, comfort, and the quiet confidence of knowing that everything would be alright.

As a child, I was often afraid. I used to sleep with my head under the covers because I was convinced something was always lurking nearby. I grew up a church kid — day and night, weekdays and weekends, all day. And it was in church that I learned God is always with me. I learned that He did not give us a spirit of fear, but of peace, love, and a sound mind. Those words gave me confidence. They reminded me that sadness didn’t last forever, fear was not from God, and that no matter what I was going through, He would always be with me.

I was surrounded by a church family that loved me, supported me, and stood by me. That sense of community — along with my faith — became my refuge, my anchor, and my reminder that I was never alone.

And I still live with those values today. They continue to guide me, carry me, and shape the way I move through the world.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I am committed to lifting the voices and creativity of Black American artists and people of color, giving them platforms where they can be seen, heard, and celebrated. That’s why I created the Beauty of Blackness Fine Art Show and Louise Cutler Studio CAP. It’s more than a project—it’s a mission to build opportunities, create community, and share culture in ways that matter.

I’m willing to invest the time, energy, and the love it takes, no matter how long it takes, because I know the impact reaches far beyond me. Every artist empowered, every workshop that inspires, every community member who sees themselves reflected in the work—it’s worth the persistence.

This belief isn’t just professional; it’s personal. I know what it’s like to feel unseen, unheard, or overlooked. My mission is to ensure others not to have to feel that way, and I am hoping to continue this work for as long as it takes.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Absolutely. I live that way now. Life isn’t about the praise we receive. Man’s praise is fleeting, but God is the one who elevates. Where God guides, He provides. When He opens a door for you, no one can shut it.

I’ve always believed in doing everything “as unto the Lord and not unto man” (Colossians 3:23). My work isn’t driven by praise or recognition, because people don’t determine my purpose — God does. He is the one who elevates us, and He is the one who blesses the work of our hands.

I belong to the Lord, so everything I do represents my Creator. That’s why I give my best — because it’s an expression of gratitude, obedience, and love. Whether anyone praises it or not, I’m committed to honoring the gift God placed inside me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://LouiseCutlerstudio.com
• Instagram: LouiseCutlerStudio
• Linkedin: Louise Cutler
• Twitter: Louise Cutler Music
• Facebook: Louise Cutler Studio
• Youtube: Louise Cutler Studio
• Soundcloud: Louise Cutler Music
• Other: LouiseCutlerStudioCAP.com
  louisecutlerstudio.wordpress.com
  TBOBFAS.com
  CuriousBoybooks.com

Image Credits
Louise Cutler