L F shared her story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
L, 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. What are you chasing, and what would happen if you stopped?
I’m chasing a fulfilling life. Everything I do, I want it to contribute to bettering my future. That doesn’t mean every choice I make always does, but I’m working on it. To me, a fulfilling life looks like making better decisions sooner, not wasting my time or anyone else’s, and staying connected to The Source (Christ) that has always been there for me.
These past two months, my spirituality has been heavy on my mind. I’ve been asking questions I never asked before, which led me to confusion and left my head spinning. Because of that, I haven’t felt fully like myself. When parts of me feel misaligned, spiritually, mentally, or emotionally, I feel like I’m stepping off the path toward that fulfilling life.
If I stop chasing it, if I keep putting myself in situations that pull me away from who I’m meant to be, my life would feel wasted. My soul would wither, and I’d be left in confusion. That’s why I keep going, because clarity and purpose matter too much to lose.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I go by L, LF, and ARTGALLERYBYLF. I am a visual artist whose work is deeply inspired by Scripture and my faith journey. Painting is my primary outlet, and I use about 90–99% of acrylic in each painting while also incorporating mediums like clay, colored pencils, ink, and oil pastels. Beyond painting, I create digital artwork, graphite and ink drawings, and some photography.
My art isn’t limited to the visual; I also explore sound and video to create multi-sensory experiences for my paintings which brings each piece to life in its own way. I also extend my artwork into clothing through seasonal collections. Each “season” is limited, once it ends, those pieces never return. I’m currently in Season 3 with the Ⅎ˥ Merch, and I’m incredibly grateful for how it’s grown.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A moment that really shaped how I see the world was the time I took a break from college after my freshman year. During that time, I opened my spirit up to a lot of different crowds. I met good people to evil people. Being around so many personalities opened my eyes in a way I can never unsee. I realized how few people genuinely have empathy and compassion for others.
It felt like I was standing in the shadows watching the hatred in this world win, day after day. And that experience changed something in me. It made me realize that my peace is too important, and it needs to be guarded. I want a simple life, away from the chaos.
People say they care about you, but I learned that a lot of people care in the way they want to care, not in the way you actually need.
Real empathy doesn’t have stipulations. It doesn’t try to control or limit how much it gives. It just shows up, listens, and is present in the way the other person needs.
In all the noise, energies, voices, only a few people are truly good. The ones who were hurting the most were often the kindest people I met, while the people who seemed the most blessed were the ones who left scars in my brain. It really is a dog-eat-dog world.
That break from college changed me. It took away my innocence. It reshaped my understanding of people and it made my love for this world die.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me that success can only come after. It taught me to be grateful on a deeper level and showed me that persistence has always been the force pushing me through the dark seasons. It made me lean into my faith in a way that success never demanded, and through that, I learned that in the end, I truly will be okay.
It sparked new artistic ideas and revealed what I’m willing to deal with and what I’m not. It gave me strength in knowing I have my own back, and that I’ll always make sure I’m good. Suffering is actually where I discovered myself. It shaped the way I see the world and why I’m so focused on becoming better. I realized who I am through the hard moments, and I’m thankful for them because they added layers to my character.
Success is what waits on the other side, but suffering is the process that transforms you. They go hand in hand, but each with its own lessons. For me, suffering taught me everything success can’t.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version is still the real me, but with layers. I have different sides to who I am, so the side typically everyone sees is still me, it’s just not all of me. It really depends on the environment I’m in. When I’m in an artistic space, I show the side of me that visually expresses my spiritual journey. When I’m at home, I’m the girl dealing with her thoughts that race a thousand miles per hour. When I’m comfortable around people, I’m funny and goofy.
Even though I may show different parts of myself in different settings, my values stay the same. That’s why every version you see is still the real me.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
My art is absolutely what I was born to do. The way people connect with my work, how it captures their eyes and their thoughts, that’s all the confirmation I need. This is something I planned on pursuing since I was a child. Funny enough, someone once told me that if I went down this path, I’d end up being a “waitress with purple hair.” I can laugh at that now, especially because that same person has attended my art shows. People love to doubt your steps before you even start walking.
No one told me to become an artist. No one around me is guiding me or helping me figure this out. I’ve had to build this path on my own, and honestly, I love that, because it shows me how badly I want this. If I stopped painting today and never touched a brush again, no one would push me to return to my art. That’s how I know it’s my calling, not anyone else’s expectation.
Despite the challenges I faced since starting this journey, I never gave up. I won’t ever give up. I keep growing, I keep inspiring people, I’ve had powerful conversations and amazing opportunities because of my art. I’m walking the path I’m meant to walk in this world, and I’m excited to see where it leads.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Artgallerybylf.com
- Instagram: ARTGALLERYBYLF
Image Credits
ARTGALLERYBYLF
RAYNO
JLAB
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