Monday, August 1, 2011

Lark Calderon Gomez + Giveaway

Lark Calderon Gomez, what can I say about this extremely talented woman? The first time I saw her artwork, I was moved. The women she paints are so full of character, that they speak to me through their eyes. They tell stories of love, passion, pain, joy and many other journeys that we all encounter in life. While reading about Lark, I discovered that her current series "Julia's Journeys" is based on her grandmas journey from Guatemala to the United States of America in the 1940! HOW INSPIRING IS THAT?! so much, that I have made it my duty to question my (and my husbands) parents, grandparents and some other family members about their journeys to Canada/USA/Mexico from Honduras/China/Spain!  and I write it all down in a book, so that my future kids can read about their history.
Ready to be inspired? Here is my interview with Lark, our honorary sister of August!  

1. Your current series, "Julia's Journeys" is based on your grandmas journey from Guatemala to the Unites States of America in the 1940s. Besides your grandmas travels, can you describe another real life situation that has inspired you?  I love romance, so I enjoy turning the stories in that direction, but mostly I'm inspired by people overcoming an injustice which is at the heart of this series.  Evita Peron is a huge inspiration; she did so much for the people of her country in her short and interesting life. 

2. Why do you do what you do? Like many families, I am the child of an immigrant.  I knew my grandmother was a strong and savvy woman, and I wanted to know more.  Most of my life I did not know her story.  It was a painful story that my Father didn't like talking about. She had to leave him and his brother for 10 yrs when my father was 5.  But she was leaving them with her parents, while she sought a better life, leaving an abusive spouse behind.  It was a part of my life that I knew nothing about.  Not that long ago, my father started to open up about it, and I am so thankful.  My grandmother has been gone for many years now.  Basically, it was something I wanted to know more about...and since I only have a limited amount of facts, I started painting fictional stories to satisfy my curiosity.  

3. What's the best advice you've been given? Always be developing your eye, your unique perspective...and have fun with it! 

4. What was your first piece?  When I was a kid my mom set me up an easel next to hers and we painted a still life in oil.  It was because she was painting this incredible painting and I just wanted to hang out with her and watch it develop.  I'm sure it was hard to paint with me blabbering away so I think she got me to paint so  I would stop talking! Lol! (and I loved it!). 

5. What is next for lark Calderon Gomez, what are you aspirations, goals and dreams?
I love the idea of keeping my grandmother Julia alive in paint.  (I love that when I think of her I can still smell her perfume)... I guess, that would be an aspiration;) dreams? To be happy, and this makes me happy.  I will keep doing it until something tells me to move on to something else, but for right now it's this...Goals? Well, in the short term we have another solo exhibition tentatively scheduled for the end of January, 2012, in San Francisco at The Amelia Hyde Gallery in SOMO.  I'm excited about presenting the "next episode" of Julia's Journeys there.  So if anyone is in the area, please stop by for a fun night in the city!  

6. Any words of advice/tips for people who want to express their creativity, but don't know how?  With me, it was a place to go when life was difficult and frustrating.  I felt like drawing and painting helped me work out issues, like quality time with myself.  It's great for that and I'd recommend this for everyone.  Also, to not be too critical of yourself in the early stages of a new painting...it takes time to get your vision in your head out and onto the surface...sometimes it takes me months, but I don't care how long it takes because I love the process...and when you finally get there, it feels so good.   
Lark has been kind enough to offer a limited edition (signed+numbered) giclee print to a Nina on the Moon reader.

39 comments :

  1. LOVE! LOVE! LOVE! WOW! Def. joining this giveaway, I LOVE her art! WOW! WOW! WOW!

    I don't know how you find them Nina, but you have quite the eye for selecting your features! Beautiful work. I'm on my way to her fb now! :)

    xoxo.
    Des, Mano y Metal

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love the last picture with the roses (?) in it its beautiful. I love reading posts like this :)

    X
    ps thanks for your lovely comment :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. wow she is amazing. will definately check her work out
    http://fashberries.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. I follow your blog of course, Nina! And ahhh, her artwork is amazing! :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Done, done and done. Just entered the contest. I love her art, it's wonderful. Great blog!
    Shelly

    ReplyDelete
  6. green eyes + pouty red lips=my fav combo on canvas!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Omg, omg, omg! I first saw her work over a year ago in an art by Latina artists group and I've been mesmerized since then. Absolutely gorgeous. I adore the way she captures feelings and emotions in the faces of her paintings. There's so much to be said about our immigrating family members. All the trials they endured... This is GREAT! Did all 3, hope I win! Lol!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thank you so much for stopping by my blog and commenting, I appreciate it. And I appreciate your feature on this artist. Her work is amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I love the pictures, beautiful work! It's amazing! Thanks for sharing & for the giveaway!

    mamiholisticaygenial@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I'm folowing Nina on the Moon!

    mamiholisticaygenial@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Nina, no puedo :( I cant enter a lot of these giveaways cause I dont have facebook, so I can never like anyone or anything. Odio a Facebook but thats me. Im a blogger and a tweeter.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Nina,
    Thank you so much for your sweet comment on my blog, this looks like a fantastic give away and your blog is so sweet and thoughtful! Have a great weekend :D

    ReplyDelete
  13. fantastic, Nina! so stunning, count me in....commenting on her blog next :)

    xo Carlina

    p.s hope wedding planning is going well!!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Absolutely loving it!

    ReplyDelete
  15. these are definitely amazing... love the lady with the rose!

    ReplyDelete
  16. wow amazing this is just beautiful...

    ReplyDelete
  17. Nunca me había pasado por tu blog. El nombre me encanta
    Felicidades, un beso
    taconesdecharol.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. did all 3 as well. her work is incredible!

    ReplyDelete
  19. The artwork is so feminine. I love the style, and the use of colours. Thanks for sharing the photos and feel free to drop by me too, soon.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Caroooo hermosa! mil gracias por tus felicitaciones de cumpleaños!!!! ya pronto nos veremos por acá! un bso!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Thanks for congratulating me and for your on going support :)! I appreciate it Carolina :). And I love the interviews you do with different artists its really inspirational

    ReplyDelete
  22. Done all the steps! Thanks for having this giveaway!
    hanner.da.nanner at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. so happy you all enojyed the interview!!! :D XOXOX

    ReplyDelete
  24. Absolutely beautiful work! I follow you via GFC and on Facebook (as Danielle Villano). I also left a comment on this post: http://calderon-gomez.blogspot.com/2011/01/upcoming-exhibition-252011-sf.html

    Best,
    Danielle
    loveandlookpretty@gmail.com
    http://loveandlookpretty.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Hi Carolina! Thanks for the kind words on my blog :) I know she's in a better place too!

    I blogged about your contest under "baby's first flat," hearted lark's etsy with username imani1029, and followed you on twitter under @eemaanee for three additional entries.

    I also did all the other steps for one entry.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Hello, thank you stopping by my blog and the nice comment, did all 3. Following you, commented on Larks Etsy and liked on Facebook.
    Halochanel at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hearted Larks Etsy page.. Etsy name halochanel
    Halochanel at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Following on twitter @WrightWin
    Halochanel at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  30. I ♥ed her etsy shop! I commented on her blog! I'm following your blog, your twitter, and your facebook. Her art is GORGEOUS!!! Thanks for dropping by my blog to let me know about it. I can't wait to explore your blog further :D

    ReplyDelete
  31. Wonderful interview and the paintings are amazing! I shared on my blog and also "liked" your FB page. Thanks for visiting my blog!

    Have a great weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  32. did it :)

    gfc: marla
    email: marlaandmakeup@gmail.com

    thanks <3

    ReplyDelete
  33. AMAZING!!


    I follow you
    I wrote on her blog.
    I follow you via Facebook
    My name on FB: Jenifer Tapia

    ReplyDelete
  34. All of her pieces of artwork are just delightful! Thanks for this giveaway!

    gfc: Erin
    email: erinkathleencouture@yahoo.com

    xx

    Erin @ http://www.trufflesnruffles.com/

    ReplyDelete
  35. Una buena oportunidad para disfrutar de un precioso trabajo.
    Mucha suerte a todas las que pueden participar.
    besitos ascension

    ReplyDelete
  36. i follow via gfc as michellely
    and i commented and i like ur fb as yuki kuran
    irinasas at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for leaving the positive vibes! Many besos,bendiciones and buenas vibras. I will be sure to send them back!xo