Artist in conversation: Lymaira Agosto
“ It started from my favorite quote "All flowers grow through dirt" and me looking at myself as a flower that's constantly pushing through the challenges in my life to become who I am meant to be.”
My name is Lymaira Agosto. I’m an Afro-Latina woman from Georgia. Since a child I’ve been into art and have always been self-taught. I began my business in 2018 after re-discovering art and that it was my true passion after working with autistic children at a clinic. I made a lot of art props for the kids’ play during the holidays and even created artistry educational curriculum for the kids as well. This brought out the artist in me again. I now travel all over my country as an artist at serval vendor events and festivals, selling out of several of my arts and earrings that I make handmade.
What initially inspired you to become an artist, and how did you develop your unique style?
I started my creativity from childhood and my mother really encouraged that by constantly buying me art supplies and complimenting my drawings. However, during my teenage years I had stopped creating up until after I graduated college and art found me again. This is when I realized from my former job as an ABA therapist, that art was my true passion and not my actual degree. I developed my style from the love I have with nature and flowers. It started from my favorite quote "All flowers grow through dirt" and me looking at myself as a flower that's constantly pushing through the challenges in my life to become who I am meant to be.
In terms of subject matter, what themes or motifs do you frequently explore in your work, and what draws you to these topics?
I frequently explore themes of protection, transformation, and spirituality in my work. What draws me to these topics is honestly my self reflection of experiences I have gone through in my life. This gives me a chance to be vulnerable to my audience and in a lot of ways people relate to my art with their own perspectives.
What techniques or mediums do you primarily use in your artwork, and why?
Flowers and mother nature is my go to. I generally enjoy being outside more than anything as I tend to feel more at peace with my inner self. Flowers particularly have always felt relatable in my life. I've always looked at myself as a flower, slowly evolving through the dirt (a.k.a the journey I've gone through in life and still continue to) to evolve into this beautiful flower. I am also a colorful person so colors and flowers go hand in hand with my paintings. And every color has its meaning and story to the art I create.
Have you encountered any misconceptions or stereotypes about being a self-taught artist, and how do you challenge or overcome them?
I've had several encounters with people assuming that I must have gone to art school based on my art but these comments are always compliments rather than misconceptions and stereotypes.
Is there a specific piece of art you've created that holds special meaning to you?
Yes! My 2019 "Transcending" floral painting. I created that painting while I was going through a spiritual and self discovery journey. This painting made me realize that essentially I needed to go on a spiritual journey of self discovery because I truly didn't know who I was internally.
How do you incorporate feedback from critics and audiences into your artistic practice, and how do you balance this feedback with your own artistic intuition?
Besides me painting as an artist, I also have a handmade jewelry business. How I incorporate feedback is by picking a few trusted women to test out my jewelry and allow them to give me any critique that'll help me better my brand. When it comes to my artistic intuition, sometimes I will get people that want to imply new ideas for me create, but if I don't feel that connection with what they are saying along with my vision, I typically don't use that feedback to create from it
How do you stay motivated and inspired despite any setbacks or creative blocks you may encounter?
I tend to remind myself where I've started in my art journey and how far I've come and it typically helps me snap back into my mode. However, if I do happen to have any creative blocks, I allow myself to take a break and not force myself to create if I don't feel inspired by anything in the moment because I will then create frustration and become hard on myself which isn't any better as an artist. We must be gentle with ourselves and understand as artists that it's okay to not create every single day. Some days are meant for rest and rejuvenation.
How do you feel about exhibiting your artworks with The Holy Art Gallery?
I am pretty excited about it since it'll be my first time exhibiting overseas. I am excited to see what's to come and other opportunities that'll arise from this experience and the people I'll meet at the event.
Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals and aspirations as an artist, and how do you plan to achieve them?
I currently travel as a CNA in the nursing field plus traveling a lot for my business, so one of my main long term goals as an entrepreneur is getting to the point where I can 100% be an artist and step away from the medical field. I see myself not only selling at art shows only but constant sells online and more opportunities to attend more panel talks so that my story continues to reach an even bigger audience. To achieve these goals I need to make sure I am consistent with what is working right now and keep myself in rooms that allows me to connect with others in the art world.
What role does emotion play in your creative process, and how do you aim to evoke specific feelings or reactions from those who view your artworks?
Interesting enough, I recently this year have challenged myself to paint in other moods and emotions outside of positive ones. I typically do not feel comfortable painting and sharing to the audience when I'm in sad or upset etc. because that is allowing me to be extremely vulnerable in my opinion. However, with this challenge I do want people to get to know me more an not only an artist but who I am to my core. And there is a recent piece I created name "Suppression" that I painted when I was not in the best of moods. To my surprise, I painted it in less than 24 hours without being a perfectionist and not only turned out beautiful but it catches just about everyone's attention at my shows and on my social media.
