We had the good fortune of connecting with Sylvia Larkin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sylvia, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
Ever since I was a child I had this intense urge to create. Since I generate art to satisfy my own needs, I never felt like giving up. However every summer I take sabbatical from the studio, allowing me to re-charge.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Over the years I collected bizarre objects but was not clear about my direction. That is, until I came across work by assemblage artist Michael deMeng. The nature of my work involves found objects, such as discarded wood,metal, old clocks or toys.I collect, hoard, arrange, re-arrange and embellish them. Layers upon layers of acrylic paint are added, transforming them in the process. Chance plays a large role in my work, since I never know what I will encounter on a daily basis. My often symbolic work is influenced by global and life events. Some of my art is a deliberate attempt to create a dialogue. My creations capture the reality of life, tell a story and are authentic expressions of my passion for life and the situations I find myself in. As a story teller and evolved horder I transform dreams into compelling creations.

What set me apart from others is that I always told stories about my work I am glad to see more artists storytelling now. I am most proud of my early works. Years later I realized that I created best when my focus was not on selling my work and that is the attitude I currently hold. I create because I must!
By supporting other artists on their journey, consistently showing up on social media, in shows, galleries and steadily creating helped me to arrived at this point in my career!

The challenges I faced were related to my health. Sometimes I was only able to work in the studio for a few minutes. Creating was truly a life saver and great motivator.

I strongly believe that having a sacred space were we can cultivate our daily practices of focusing on healing energy and express our gratitude is important.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would invite my visitors to the DaVinci Artist Gallery, The Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts, The Texas Art Asylum, The National Museum Of Funeral History, and The Euro Bakery for delectable Greek Food. This would be topped off by a visit to Old Town Spring. My favorite places there are Mallotts Hardware and Variety, (David Mallott being a huge supporter of teachers and artists), the Black Sheep Bistro, The Lana Williams Gallery and Spring Cottage Gallery. I would make arrangements for them to visit the studios of David Lowbrow Pilgrim, Gene Barron, Sue Donaldson, Alexis Andrei, Redneck Feng Shui, Larissa West, Infraredhead Art and many other artists. We would then hang out at Rio Yeti and listen to Bob Thomas and friends jam. I bet my friends would not mind a little road trip to “The Gallery Downtown” in Navasota run by Patty Pederson. While we are there we could admire the Blue Alley Murals which pays tribute to famous musicians produced by the region. Then on to the studio of Mixed Media artist Judy Hudson in Whitney, Texas. Our trip would end at the Bernhardt Winery in Plantersville, for good wine, food and music.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am immensely grateful to the many people who supported me on my art journey. Two artists made a tremendous impact on me: Mark Shellshear, artist, gallerist, author, speaker and supporter of Galleries and artists. Mark dedicates hours of his time for free, mentoring and supporting artists. I learned everything I know abut marketing, sales and much more from his blogs, videos and private chats. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002529820315 The other one is Misty Biros, a watermedia artist and a passionate nature champion who also runs Gallery IIII Pollinator Project! In her words:” wanted to create a community that was more than just an art sales group. I wanted to create a positive space that fostered collaboration and sense of family that provided education about pollinators and wildlife habitat .” https://www.facebook.com/groups/Gallery1111PollinatorProject/about/ I value the friendships I forged with both of them!

Website: https://www.sylvialarkin.com/
Instagram: sylvia_larkin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artassemblage/

Image Credits
Sylvia Larkin