A monthly column that keeps its finger on the pulse of Forsyth’s artists and their inspiring stories
This month’s featured artist, A.K. Landreth, celebrates beauty through original and abstract art, allowing viewers the power to translate the story each piece is telling only to them in that exact moment.
A.K. Landreth | Abstract Expressionism Artist
How would you describe your work? I would describe my art as thoughtful, spontaneous, vulnerable. Each piece has a story to tell, built with layers of paint that bypass the mind and speak straight to the heart. Which is what I love most about abstract art, it has the ability to give to each viewer, collector, and thankfully myself, exactly what is needed in any given moment. Most people describe my work as peaceful, dreamy, bright, whimsical, and powerful, which I love.
What influences your art most? Meditations of the heart influence my work the most. It’s those deep conversations within myself that make their way onto the canvas to then become a visual offering to the world: a safe space to converse, question, observe, accept, nurture, and inspire hearts and spaces. That, and also travel plus nature. I am constantly inspired by and looking for color, line, and texture patterns in the world around me.
How have you evolved, personally, as an artist? It’s fun to look back on past work and see the ways I have grown quite literally with my work. I started painting in 2009 and since then there has been a dramatic shift in the way I think of myself and therefore how I view my work.
I am an intuitive painter, so much of what I create comes from instinct. Through the years, I have learned to lean into that and trust my gut more deeply! It’s amazing to see how my art speaks on such a personal level not just to me in my seasons of life, but for others as well. The gift that keeps on giving!
What do you enjoy most about selling at community Pop Ups and art shows? I LOVE art shows! Like, genuinely adore them. I love getting to meet so many of you in person, hear your story, how you connect with the art, and make new friends! Plus, getting to experience art in person is just so special anyway, and I love that I get to offer that through in person Pop-Ups. I hope to see you there in the future!
How do you carve out time to be creative? Because I work Monday-Thursday at a chiropractic office during the week, I paint mostly on the weekends currently. I find that I am most energetic during the mid day hours from 12-4 pm so I try and keep that time open and available for creativity. On days where I have certain work to get finished, I keep those days as sacred and don’t allow for any other dates to be scheduled during this time! It boils down to being intentional and I’ve found that creating a list for the day really helps to keep me on track!
What are you working on that excites you right now? Right now I am working on three very large original commissioned paintings for a couple of collectors of mine. It’s always such an honor to get to create a one-of-a-kind piece for someone. They have given me total creative freedom within a certain color palette to work with – it is truly so exhilarating, special, and I can’t wait for them to add these pieces to their homes!
What is one piece of advice you’d like to share with fellow artists? Something that I have to remind myself of often is this: the world needs what you have to offer. Your history, your dreams, your heart, your voice – it matters so much. I truly believe the best thing we can do for the world is to be unapologetically ourselves. Be brave, create good work, stay consistent, and the best is yet to come!
If you are interested in learning more about A.K. Landreth, you can follow her on Instagram @artbyaklandreth as well as find her work online at www.aklandreth.com. You can also check out her work this month locally at the Sayso and Friends Winter Market Located at 400 S. Green Street WS/NC.
