Daily Inspiration: Meet Lanna Brown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lanna Brown

Hi Lanna, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I moved to Grand Rapids right after high school, eager to dive headfirst into my dreams at Kendall College of Art and Design. My aspirations? To become a fine arts sculpture major—a total badass, crafting large pieces of metal, welding with precision, grinding seamlessly, and wielding a plasma cutter that sliced through metal like it was butter. I envisioned the gritty, cool life of a starving artist, probably living in a downtown warehouse and riding my motorcycle. In my mind, I was just like the girl from “Flashdance” — minus the dancing, of course.

But life had different plans for me. Fast forward to my junior year, and I found myself pregnant. Shortly after, I got married, and then another child followed. I traded in my motorcycle for an SUV, adamantly refusing to drive a minivan. My artistic dreams took a back seat as I embraced the unexpected role of a soccer mom. It felt like my worst nightmare.

As my children started school and I gained some free time, a friend reached out and asked if I wanted to paint for her residential painting company. She was swamped with more work than she could handle. When her carpenter turned out to be a total douche, we decided to kick him to the curb and started our own painting business. While it wasn’t quite my “Flashdance” fantasy, the grit of being a house painter appealed to me—it was definitely a step in the right direction.

Our residential painting company thrived for several years, but then the pandemic hit. With a newfound abundance of free time, I decided it was time to return to my artistic roots. Stuck at home, I had to be resourceful and tap into my stockpile of house paint. I started experimenting, mixing in oil crayons, spray paint, and even concrete. Stretching my own canvases and framing my creations reignited my passion. To my delight, my sister helped me sell some art in Chicago, and I soon realized I had my own list of clients—shipping my work to places as far as Hawaii and Scotland. Who knew? Apparently, I AM an artist!

Although my journey hasn’t unfolded quite as I initially envisioned, at 46 years old, I feel I’ve come full circle. I might not have the same cool factor as the “Flashdance” girl, but deep down, there’s still a spark of badassery. I’m excited for the next chapter in my life and can’t wait to see where my art takes me next!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In a world dominated by social media, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. As someone who identifies as a private individual, I find the digital landscape to be particularly daunting. The idea of putting myself and my art out there for public scrutiny is intimidating. There’s an inherent fear of judgment and criticism that looms over every post and every piece shared.

Vulnerability is not just an abstract concept for me; it’s a real struggle. I am not someone who craves the limelight or seeks attention. My goal is much simpler: I want people to recognize and value my art for what it is. It’s a delicate balance between wanting to share my creativity and protecting myself from the harsh realities of public perception.

Navigating this landscape can feel like standing on a tightrope between self-expression and self-doubt. But the connection that art can create, even amidst the fear, is something I strive to experience. In the end, it’s all about finding that space where my work can resonate with others while still honoring my desire for privacy.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As an Artist, I love using layers of house paint, oil pastels, watercolors and concrete to create depth and texture. Emotion is the most substantial element of my work. Art provides an emotional release.

I work with concepts that are personal and sometimes still hidden in my subconscious. Expressive figures invite viewers to embark on a journey back to the honesty of youth. Gritty, simplistic characters serve as vessels of emotion, storytelling and introspection. Through messy and sometimes obscure discovery, I slowly make my way through a piece. unearthing pockets of memories tucked away. Like putting together pieces of a puzzle, I explore the essence of my unconventional narrative. I am proud of the work I have done. It is not always easy to paint with emotion. Art as therapy can be exhausting.

My hope, is to create a visual an emotional experience for the viewer. A way to connect without ever meeting. I am fascinated by the way abstraction allows a person to interpret a painting from their own point of view. I aim to offer a mirror to introspection, sparking connections with concealed emotions that reside within us all.

From start to finish I pour myself into every aspect of my work. I build my own frames and stretch my own canvases. Once a piece is done I build and stain a wooden frame for each piece. I am influenced by street art, graffiti and pop art but also love artists Franz Kline, Roy Oxlade and Richard Diebenkorn

What makes you happy?
Simple things make me happy.
A warm bed, A hot cup of tea. Watching my children laugh. A sunny day! I’ve come to realize that finding happiness in small ways every day is what truly enriches my life. It’s often in these little moments that I find the most fulfillment. However, I must admit, it’s not always easy to maintain this perspective. It takes effort and practice to train my brain to see the glasses half full rather than half empty. Each day, I work on cultivating this mindset, reminding myself that joy can be found even in the simplest of experiences. By focusing on what brings me happiness, I create a more positive attitude and a greater appreciation for life’s little joys.

Pricing:

• Paintings (depending on size) range from $1200 to $3600
• commission prices upon request

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @lanna_mae_brown