Today, we’d like to introduce you to Lara Lenhoff.
Lara, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My family and I immigrated to the United States from Apartheid in South Africa in 1988. As a child, I was incredibly fortunate to have gone to schools that encouraged my creativity.
My elementary school art teacher in Lexington, Kentucky, was a teacher who encouraged my creative expression wholeheartedly.
Throughout my life, his faith in me and support in me all those years ago remained in my heart that in my twenties, after a long time of not creating too much, resurfaced, and I began to begin cultivating a style and approach to creating art. I didn’t start participating in art shows until my 30s with the exception of exhibits in school and one festival in my 20s.
I’ve always been a homebody, preferring the company of my dogs and solitude so I can utilize my sanctuary as a place to create art. Music gets me into my groove. Sometimes, the muse is there, and other times, it hides in the shadows until I find inspiration again to start creating art.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. A few life events transformed my mentality in my 20s and 30s, leading me to times when I didn’t know if I was going to come out on the other side or not. What helped me get through those times was just sketching and then painting into the early hours of the morning to commit and focus on something other than the tumultuous mess that I found myself in.
I had been accepted into a graduate program with the intention of becoming an art therapist. I knew how art had the power to help with healing, and after committing to teaching myself techniques and really pursuing art, I found I wanted to help people utilize creative expression for healing. Unfortunately, the school I attended was the complete antithesis of what it promised to be, and after all my hours and commitment to studying turned out to be a wasted venture, I fell apart and lost myself.
That’s when I truly ensconced myself in art full-time just to get through the aftermath of my education at a pro-profit school that lied about its accreditation. I was broken, but finding the will to go on came in the form of palette knives and canvas.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I have had a successful career in the hospitality industry. A passion of mine is food, as is providing people with exceptional experiences.
I’ve also had great success as a curator for several venues, including galleries in Texas and restaurants in Nashville, as well as mentoring local artists in Dallas. I managed in between work and relocating to exhibit at Art Basel in Miami. As much as I appreciated the opportunity and the exposure, I saw a side of the art industry that I didn’t really care for.
I still paint and have been with a gallery in Texas for six years. I’ve come to understand as I come into my 40s that all I want is to paint, spend time with my dogs, enjoy what I do professionally, and lead a simple life. I read a book a week, and I paint when I can. I’m currently working on a monochromatic landscape series that I’m really excited about.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I would say that being successful is all in one’s mindset. I have sold art at the gallery I’ve been with, I’ve rescued two wonderful dogs, and I live in a part of Tennessee that is beautiful. I believe being grateful and appreciative for the small things and maintaining a humble existence is crucial to my happiness.
I define success as recognizing everything I’ve overcome to get to where I am now, proud of my accomplishments, and not needing to give the past much attention. The past has taught me a lot, but living in the present and appreciating my coworkers, family, and support system has made me appreciate life and my contributions to society much more.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.laralenhoffgallery.com
- Instagram: @artsymonkeyllc
