Liva Vilemsone is a Beautiful Bizarre Artist Directory member provides some fascinating insights into her practice and experiences as she responds to the questions below:
- What’s a creative risk you’ve taken that completely changed your perspective or practice?
- If your work could whisper one thing to the viewer, what would it say?
- In moments of self-doubt or burnout, what do you do to enable you to keep going?
- Has envy ever shown up in your creative journey? How have you learned to cope with it or transform it?
What’s a creative risk you’ve taken that completely changed your perspective or practice?
Recently, I’ve been thinking a lot about how to define my art. I’ve felt pressure to place it within a specific category, as it often seems expected of artists. The more I tried to do so, the more constrained I felt. It was only when I asked myself, “Why am I painting?” that I found clarity. What I love most about creating art is the freedom it gives me, the ability to explore my inner world, share how I see the world and to bring those visions to life without the burden of labels. As a result of this shift in mindset, I’ve regained the sense of freedom that I love most about art.
If your work could whisper one thing to the viewer, what would it say?
“Come closer, embrace change and you will find meaning.”
In moments of self-doubt or burnout, what do you do to enable you to keep going?
Honestly, it’s my deep love for oil painting that keeps me going and I hope it always will. I find painting both therapeutic and deeply fulfilling and I can’t imagine my life without it, even when it presents challenges. In moments of self-doubt, I remind myself why I paint in the first place. Rather than resisting those feelings, I acknowledge and accept them as an integral part of the creative process. For burnout, I usually try to pause all other commitments wherever possible, while continuing painting, or take a small break. Ultimately, returning to the joy of creating is what helps me move forward.
Has envy ever shown up in your creative journey? How have you learned to cope with it or transform it?
Yes, it has. I’ve noticed that feelings of envy tend to surface more during periods when I’m struggling creatively or personally. Social media can sometimes amplify those feelings too. Over time, I’ve learned to approach envy with curiosity rather than judgment. I try to ask myself why I’m feeling that way, and more often than not, I realise that what I’m experiencing is admiration for something another artist has created or achieved. Recognising this allows me to transform envy into inspiration rather than letting it become a negative emotion. I also think it’s important to acknowledge that these emotions are entirely human and nothing to be ashamed of. We all begin from different circumstances, follow different paths, and move at our own pace, so comparing ourselves to others is not a fair comparison. This perspective has taken years to develop and remains a work in progress. Some days it comes more naturally than others. However, I’ve found that with time, it becomes easier to navigate these feelings in a healthier and more constructive way.
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