Lindsay Carraway of Monroe, LA on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Lindsay Carraway and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Lindsay, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: Who are you learning from right now?
Everyone. I am watching my family grow up and grow older and I am actively aware of how much they mean to me in this moment, so I am trying to absorb that abundance of knowledge that they all have right now. The energy and the life, and the lessons and the stories.
I feel like right now in the sense of working, I am doing a lot of work alone and learning through trial and error, always, which is great, because you learn what not to do next time. I am working with a partner, and learning about the process of getting things done together. Learning how to be more flexible yet assertive is something I’m learning from her.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hello,I am Lindsay Carraway.
I am a self taught painter, and mixed media artist. I also make sculptures from papier-mâché and found objects.
One facet of my work focuses on political, cultural and social issues mostly related to women’s rights, the other is a mix between a dreamlike world and lucid visions that has a folklore and quirky charm.
Right now I am working on altars of reflections, and how we see ourselves, each other, and how we view the world and it, back at us.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
My husband,Blain.
He really gave me the courage to understand that I could and should pursue art the way that I wanted. He gave me the freedom, the support, and the kick in the pants at the 11th hour to do some of the things that has made me more successful.
I always saw myself as someone with something to say, he gave me the opportunity and the confidence to say it.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes. I am schizophrenic, and I know that now, but when I was in college I did not know what was happening to me and why I was feeling the way I was feeling.
I had to leave school in NYC, and move back to MS and that in and of itself was so stressful and so gutrenching.
I took some time off and then moved to Savannah. But the same issues came up. I moved back home and I had awful thoughts and feelings.
I found a doctor that was right for me, got diagnosed, and am on the right meds and I am doing better.
I wanted to just give up, but I had a strong family support system, thankfully that did not give up on me. Now I am working hard on my art and staying on track with my mental health.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Art, Coca Cola classics, my family, and women’s rights to their bodies.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope my nieces and nephews talk about how when they came to aunt Lindsay’s house they always got to paint and make a mess and use glitter and have the best time. I hope they remember that I made them paint dots and place sequins on one by one while we chatted about their lives and got to grow up together. I hope they tell those stories.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geezealouisea?igsh=MW1qbW4xMGpoeWVtag==
• Other: https://folkartwork.art/shop/lindsay-carraway/