Today we’d like to introduce you to A.L. Lummus.
A.L., let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born a painter. My mother often tells of the moments when I was 2 or 3 years of age and I would tell people that I would someday be an artist.
Growing up, I studied under several local artists. One notable teacher being Becky Chappell of Boulder, Colorado. Her work in color and energy in paint is seducing and completely engrossing. Her lessons still resonate with me today.
I attended the University of Northern Colorado and received my BA in art with an emphasis on painting. There I forged some of the most important relationships of my life but also learned that educators can be your worst and most cruel critics. With this important lesson received, I decided I would never give up my dream of making a living with my art. Validating any self-doubt became impossible, and validating the ugly critiques of others became impossible.
After working several menial jobs in order to support my passion, I dove into my art full time in 2014. Since I work as a commission artist, a body artist, and a painter. I could not imagine doing anything else with my time and energy, and I look forward to a very successful future in the Denver art community.
Has it been a smooth road?
My collegiate education was rocky, but overall it showed me the tenacity and passion I had for achieving my goals. One should never allow the opinion of another dictate their worth. It is, as in most fields, difficult for female artists to be taken seriously. My personality and look often reads as too positive or false to curators and collectors. I love makeup, beautiful clothes, and giant heels. For this, I will never apologize. I have learned to overcome any negative attitude toward my person with a strong business mind and a sharp wit. I pride myself on extensive research for every series I complete, as well as a coherent artist’s statement to support my ideas.
Confidence in tone, body language, and speech overcome most negative impressions. One must have strong conviction in their passion and have intelligent diction to forge good working relationships. My advice to any women, but especially those in the art world, is that your work will speak for itself. If your work is strong, you will see success. Art, in particular, is the expression of your soul, and your innermost struggles will read in your work. One should be prepared for familiarity, welcome or not, and ready oneself for that attention. Most of all, my advice is that an artist has the best job in the entire world, love it!
Please tell us more about your art.
I am an artist. I specialize in acrylic painting but also work in graphite, colored pencil, watercolor and ink. My work is, what I like to call, a conceptualized realism. I use the juxtaposition of carefully crafted images with negative space to create stark and moving imagery. This makes a contemporary yet palatable piece. My art differs from other artists for its lack of color, but also for its lack of apologies. I’m not creating sunshine and rainbows, but I am creating sharp commentary about my world. It is my goal that my thought-provoking imagery should resonate with my viewers long after they have been close to the work. I am proud to bring a strong, unforgettable craftsmanship to all of my pieces. I want my viewers to be breathless and empowered when viewing a collection. Art has an incredible ability to inspire. If I can do so with my work, then my mission is accomplished.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
I have yet to find a mentor specifically, but I have found that consistently asking for feedback from successful people in the art world can do much to form a relationship and develop one’s skill. One should always be ready and willing to receive constructive critique. No one is a master. There is always room to be better, and there is usually someone better in the room. Even if your talent is light years ahead of a colleague’s, that colleague may have better business acumen, or have better curation. Developing authentic and honest relationships make for success in all ventures, whether its in art or in life. If you support your fellow artists, they will typically reciprocate.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.amyleelummus.com
- Phone: (303) 250-2462
- Email: amyleelummus@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alummusart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmyLeeLummus
Image Credit:
Margaret Koning Photography
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