So proud to include Lindsey’s beautiful works in the upcoming L.A. show!
Kipton Cronkite
While in New York, and through the arts organization, ChaShaMa, I met Lindsey Warren and fell in love with her work. After I moved to LA last year, I reconnected with Warren and have been following her explosive art career ever since. In curating the artists for ‘Conscious Shift’, Warren’s messaging around mindfulness, consciousness, and love of nature captured my attention. Earlier this summer, I put together this interview to introduce my clients and followers to her process. Get ready to be inspired by her process!
Lindsey Warren is an American artist, born and raised in Los Angeles. She studied at Boston University, earning a BFA in 2004 and MFA in 2008. Lindsey’s paintings have been exhibited throughout the United States with recent shows in Los Angeles, New York City, and Laguna Beach. Lindsey has been a studio artist in ChaShaMa’s Workspace Program in NYC and a participant in the Bronx Museum’s AIM program. Her public works and murals have been installed in Boston and New York City.
1) Tell me about the works included for ‘Conscious Shift’ and how each of these speaks to you around the topics of mindfulness, consciousness, and nature
All of my paintings are about my connections to specific places which are formed by daily practices of mundane existence and open-minded exploration. Inspiration for my work comes from a combination of spontaneity and introspection, with the images evolving through a process of aesthetic decision making paired with intricate repetitive and meditative actions. The places I describe are meaningful to me and display a relationship between man-made structures and nature. Each of the pieces included in Conscious Shift has the name of the area or neighborhood in the title, which provides a hint about some of my favorite spots in the city.
2) You and Kipton met in New York through Anita Durst at ChaShaMa In 2015. How has your work evolved since moving from NY back to LA?
Since moving back to LA after 15 years on the east coast, I have fallen in love with the city again and I think that shows in my work. I have been creating urban landscape paintings for more than 10 years, but I feel more confident in the subject matter now than ever before. This has led to the creation of more detailed work that unabashedly celebrates the beauty of the city, which in LA consists of magical light and range of visual elements. All of the subjects I examine including beach and mountains, tropical and desert plants, and urban and suburban architecture are as diverse as the people who live here. I never run out of ideas or subjects and after being back in LA for three plus years now, I feel a freedom to embrace the LA that I know as home and that continues to evolve. I do look forward to returning to some NYC imagery in the future though with my new outlook!
3) You and Kipton met in New York through Anita Durst at ChaShaMa In 2015. How has your work evolved since moving from NY back to LA?
Since moving back to LA after 15 years on the east coast, I have fallen in love with the city again and I think that shows in my work. I have been creating urban landscape paintings for more than 10 years, but I feel more confident in the subject matter now than ever before. This has led to the creation of more detailed work that unabashedly celebrates the beauty of the city, which in LA consists of magical light and range of visual elements. All of the subjects I examine including beach and mountains, tropical and desert plants, and urban and suburban architecture are as diverse as the people who live here. I never run out of ideas or subjects and after being back in LA for three plus years now, I feel a freedom to embrace the LA that I know as home and that continues to evolve. I do look forward to returning to some NYC imagery in the future though with my new outlook!
4) Explain the inspiration around the two works ‘back yard’ and ‘front yard’
‘Front Yard’ and ‘Back Yard’ are two views from my current home. One reason I was eager to return to Los Angeles was for the ability to spend more time outside year round and these images are an example of me taking advantage of that opportunity. When making paintings I am constantly adding and subtracting visual elements and details until the final image most closely resembles my memory of the moment I am describing, and in the case of these paintings, the color of the sky was the subject while the trees provided dynamic shapes through which to view it. Beaches, palm trees and Hollywood are common themes in LA-based aesthetics, but I love to showcase the other landscapes as well such as green hilly areas in these works.
5) You beautifully create your works as oil paintings but matte them down to look as if they are acrylic paintings. Can you describe your process (without giving away your secrets) and share why you were inspired to create your paintings this way?
I love oil paint because of the range of colors and the control I have due to the slow drying time. However, the glossy and reflective qualities of oil paint don’t suit the subtleties I desire in color and value transitions so I have developed a specific system of paint mixing and application to ultimately achieve the surface quality you are describing. The process involves many layers and the introduction of powdered marble.
The inspiration for my paintings come from daily observations I capture in photos and later compare to my memory of the time. Color and proportions are revised until the image most closely reflects my perception. Memories are generally less detailed than photographs, so it is important that the media I use is flexible. Oil paint can be easily removed when it is wet, layered and sanded without all of that history being apparent. I fell in love with oil paint in college and though I use other media from time to time, it best complements my thinking and creative processes.
6) Your works have aspects of nature which exude light and positivity. Was there something in your past that is the basis of your inspiration for creating such stunning paintings based around nature?
Thank you for picking up on that! I think there are many ways to respond to one’s surroundings and inevitable personal and external conflicts that arise. I find purpose in noticing and representing environments that are relatable, in which natural beauty can be enjoyed. Collective experiences and establishing common ground are of great interest to me as we navigate through our changing world.
To learn more about Lindsey Warren, message Kipton.
