Juxtapoz magazine recently published a great interview with ST artist Lola in anticipation of her recent show at Corey Helford Gallery, Ipsum Factum. Which just closed this week, but not without great success!

Your new series, Ipsum Factum, seems to focus on the relationship between humans and animals. Why this focus? What has been inspiring you during this new creative process?

The animals do not represent the physical being of the creature in the pieces. Some represent strength, others sensitivity. They embody an emotion, and it’s the emotional connection I’m trying to convey. So much has inspired me during this almost year long process. It’s impossible to recount everything; however, if I had to sum it up in one word “truth”.

Where are you taking this new collection of work? How does it branch out from your last series and what do you hope viewers gain from Ipsum Factum?

It’s easily and extension of the thought behind my last body of work. The premise of the show has many many angles. It circles around truth, balance, innocence, music, food is knowledge, and a light heart has power. However, the overall feeling i want people to experience just even by gaze is that we are all unique and amazing in our own way. I like to think if we can own that, then it radiates off onto others in our lives.

You have cited music as a major influence in your work. What music do you listen to? Does it shift depending upon your mood/painting choice?

Oh, of course! This might be a long answer because I’m interested in the psychology of what music does for us in a pretty geeky way. Any artistic person is essentially creating from an emotional extension of themselves. Regardless of the content, it always comes from a feeling, which propels us to have that NEED to create.

I say this a lot, but it’s true: music is a tool. I work off an idea, and then go into a sort of subconscious state of mind. So I use music to control my behavior. In the very beginning of my process, I liked to take time off for research, and to experience and feel where I’m planning on going to go with the work. My favorite composer Philip Glass or any classical or technical scores are good for beginning work. The complex instrumental components really open the mind! It’s scientifically proven to open lazy parts of the brain. But it also opens up this emotional window that lets the heart and mind connect. And it prompts its own visual, through musical storytelling!

Since my work comes from a really fragile part of me, I love to work with anything that moves me while in my seat when I’m painting. I like to sing and free myself; it’s fantastic. This last year I’ve hovered around a few good things. I’m listening to the new Gorillaz right now this very minute, and so far it’s pretty groovin’. Today my list has included Kid Cudi, The Ting Tings, Datarock, Leonard Cohen, The Kooks, and Mos Def. I truly believe music and art are reversibly compatible; that they intertwine infinitely.

You are very poetic in your verbal descriptions of your work on your blog. In preparation for this show, you wrote: “I’m putting myself there with every stroke, holding on to the haze and making my own conclusions.” Can you elaborate on this statement? Do you feel as though you are more fully engaging with your pieces as you work on them?

Yeah, I have a hard time explaining my true thoughts through words. I’ve always written these weird quirky paragraphs, which probably stems from my life experience from always having friends who were musicians. going on mini tours and feeling so punk rock. I was even in this band once called “The George Fellows” taken from Bukowski as he circled in amongst our repertoire of books. So when I’m painting and thinking, I like to encourage my strange poetic side to emerge. Kinda weird sharing it on a blog, but it’s also very liberating to put it out there in the universe. Lyrical speech definitely compliments a painting.

Where do you see yourself moving in the nest year or so with your work? Do you see yourself trying anything new/different (eg toys, apparel, etc) in the future?

My work has followed a natural progression thus far, and I’m striving to incorporate a better sense of realism into the work. My imagination sees things one way, and it’s been a process to train my hand to carry out that vision. I see myself exploring many new opportunities in the future. For me, animation has and always will be such an inspiration and a medium I would love to be involved with.

Lola: Ispsum Factum

Corey Helford gallery

Opening March 27, 8 – 11pm

On view March 27 – April 14, 2010

www.lolafineart.com