We’re looking forward to introducing you to Lynda Herrera Travis. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Lynda, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I was first introduced to Spanish in high school. It immediately sparked my interest. So when I saw Spanish electives being offered at my university I couldn’t resist. That was 27 years ago when I was 18! I’ll do the math for you-I am now 45. And one theme that has been consistent in my life is my insatiable desire to grow and learn! I am a junkie for knowledge. Recently I have taken up Spanish again but this time the stakes are higher! I have committed myself to becoming bilingual before I depart from this planet. Although sooner rather than later would be nice for this goal! So now I slice my time between family, art, work and Spanish! It brings me so much joy and opens up so many doors to meeting new and wonderful people. I strongly encourage anyone to take on a foreign language if you are interested in getting outside of your comfort zone and in trying something new!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hola! My name is Lynda Herrera Travis, owner and operator of Art by Lynda. Its an online storefront where I sell my prints and original artwork. Currently I am building a unique Black & White Collection which will soon be available for purchase in book format through my website. The aesthetic of black & white is classic and creates a dramatic contrast. Check out the B & W Collection and see if you agree! https://artbylynda.artspan.com/carousel.php?galleryID=300639sa
My goal as a business owner and artist is to communicate the human experience. Sometimes that experience comes through as cartoons and other times as an expressionist portrait. I have yet to marry a medium. Instead, I play with all mediums and see what comes through.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
When I was a kid I remember creating magazines from scratch. I would create the name, the cover image and the article titles. I would create each page by hand, draw the illustrations, and write the articles. I even went so far as to make the ads! I must have thought the ads would make the magazines more realistic. I eventually developed my process to include cut out images that I would adhere to my magazines using glue sticks. I would then use the affixed image to build the story. In retrospect, this childhood activity gave a glimpse into the assemblage that is my life: a mixed media collage where I have dabbled in many mediums and worn many hats. And by doing so have somehow come out with a cohesive and interconnected story that continues to be told through my Mixed Media Art…
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
The defining wound of my life has been the loss of my brother, Timothy Scotty Herrera. I heal from the pain by improving myself every day. I make decisions that would make him proud. I make decisions that push me further in the right direction. I reject the desires of my lower self as much as possible. I reinvent and improve myself everyday so that when I see him again, he will say, “Job well done sister! I love you and I am proud of you.”
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lie my industry tells itself is “Fame is the name of the Game.” Artists with known names are marketed as being the best artists. But the best artists aren’t always well known. People perceive famous people as being the most talented. But that isn’t always the case. Often times famous people are famous because they sacrificed something about themselves. It could be their core values, or they create art they are morally opposed to. I meet so many talented artists that live in Colorado and throughout the world. The only reason they are not yet known is because they do not have the art matrix behind them.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What are you doing today that won’t pay off for 7–10 years?
Building areas of my art business that I have not yet launched. Currently I offer originals and prints of my artwork. However, I am building and organizing my collections so they can eventually be sold in different formats. As previously mentioned, my current project is building my Black & White Collection until I have enough images to produce a cohesive book. Once that project is completed, or at least in the maintenance stage, I plan to launch into other art related products such as stickers and apparel. The sky is the limit!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://artbylynda.artspan.com/home
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbylynda/
Image Credits
Artwork By: Lynda Herrera Travis, Art Photographed by: Lisa Christensen of https://castlerockheadshots.com/headshots/
