We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carly Lake a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Carly, really happy you were able to join us today and we’re looking forward to sharing your story and insights with our readers. Let’s start with the heart of it all – purpose. How did you find your purpose?
My purpose in my life and art are very intertwined, as with most artists. I found my purpose in art by following my interests in life and getting involved with people in spaces I wanted to learn more about. This has taken shape through my long time interest in learning about ecological relationships and human interactions with land and plants. Looking back, I think even as a child, I found spiritual comfort in being in nature and exploring majestic landscapes. My family took me on a lot of camping trips to National Parks and beyond. Those trips made a big impression on me. I think I keep those journeys in my heart as I move forward today, looking to nature for guidance, and sharing the stories of the land through my artwork. Overall, I would say my art practice is multi-purposed. One main driver is to continue to learn how to care for myself and nurture a relationship with the landscape around me. The other motivation is to create spaces for others to build connections with nature, and themselves, through art making.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am a visual artist, illustrator, and fiber artist. I have been working as a professional illustrator and art educator with children for the past 7 years. Last year, I transitioned into running my art business full time! My business branches out in a few directions from my personal art practice. In my personal practice, I create watercolor paintings and woven/quilted textile artworks using natural dyed fabrics and yarn. My work revolves around the stories of plants, animals, and humans interacting together.
For clients, I have created an array of plant and animal illustrations in watercolor and digital mediums for print, murals, books, and public art. Another main component of my business is facilitating art classes on drawing, watercolor painting, and natural dye techniques.
Recently, I completed my first permanent public art project, commissioned by Los Angeles County Department Arts & Culture. I designed a 16′ x 8′ mosaic that highlights the native dye and basketry plants of the Los Angeles region, celebrates the animal relationships within the urban ecology, and pays tribute to the historical indigenous stewardship of the land and their living cultures. During the design development phase, I consulted with Cindi M. Alvitre (Tongva) and Lorene Sisquoc (Apache, Cahuilla) to incorporate their cultural insights on the basket weaving practices of Southern California indigenous people. The mosaic was fabricated and installed by Miotto Mosaics Art Studios and is located on the La Puente One Stop Development Center in Downtown La Puente, CA. I am so proud of this project and am looking to develop more public art in the future!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Being involved in the communities that I want to do work with has proven to bring me success down the line. Sometimes this has looked like attending a class about something I wanted to learn and meeting someone there. Then, later on, we stay connected and they hire me for illustration work. My advice is to follow your genuine interests and get out of the house where you can network and meet like minded people. Another big thing for an artist, that goes along with following your true interests, is sharing the type of artwork in your portfolio that you want to keep creating. This is especially necessary for people pursuing illustration. It is such a broad field with many different applications, so you want to showcase the kind of work that you enjoy creating. That is what you will get noticed and hired for and it will snowball from there. More recently I have learned that it is very helpful to find mentors in your field. Many artists are willing to share their stories and advice if you can make a connection and reach out to have a chat. Podcasts and artist talks are another great place to hear from artists and learn how they have developed in their career path.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I am always open to working with new clients on illustration projects, including promotional designs and poster art. I am also interested in hearing form businesses who would like to have a mural for their shop, facility, rental property, etc. In addition, I love to connect with gardens and outdoor spaces that would like to host a natural dye class for their community. I recommend taking a look at my website at carlylake.com to see if my work peaks your interest! I can be contacted via email at carlylakeart@gmail.com or through my website, carlylake.com. Thank you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://carlylake.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sea.lake/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carly-lake-072786161/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYm24kp5h9wFPi8Ke35bvkw
