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.