Meet Lindsay Carpenter of Art by Linz in North Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lindsay Carpenter.

Lindsay, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I fell in love with drawing at a very young age after watching my oldest brother. I remember being in such awe over his artistic ability and of course, I wanted to be just like him. The first time I sat down to give it a try, I fell in love. Drawing led me to paint and I then began dabbling in different mediums. This is when I discovered my love of color and was inspired to create vibrant, whimsical artwork.

Over the years, I have poured my heart into every one of my creations and devoted my time and energy into learning and growing as an artist. I worked up the courage in 2012 to reach out to a cafe in Silverdale, WA and they welcomed me to exhibit my artwork on their walls. I remember how excited I was because that was the first time I would be displaying my art for public viewing. It was that experience that encouraged me to keep sharing my artwork. From that moment on, I continued exhibiting and participating in events throughout Washington State, Northern California, and now Arizona.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No journey is completely smooth as we will always come upon bumps and boulders along the way. I have had many ups and downs throughout my journey, and I am sure there will be more in the future. Every road we walk is paved with experiences, be them positive or negative. We can always take away something of value from every one of them. Each challenge I have faced or struggle I have endured has taught me valuable lessons that have helped me grow as an artist. There have been many times when I was ready to throw in the towel, but I always remind myself that nothing worth having is come by easily.

I have panic disorder and it has lain many roadblocks at my feet. This is probably been the biggest struggle I have had along the way. I have had times where I unable to drive or leave the house. This really affected my confidence and motivation to go out into the world and share my artwork. My struggles with anxiety made me question myself and my abilities to succeed in my goals and dreams. I didn’t feel worthy of success. When things were at their worst, I lost my inspiration and my creative fire dwindled. I decided that this wasn’t acceptable to me because art has always been my passion and lifeline. I refused to abandon it. Through determination and a lot of hard work, I found my fire again. Although I still struggle at times, all I have been through is a continual reminder of what I am capable of and that I can overcome any obstacle placed in my way.

We’d love to hear more about your art.
I create, exhibit and sell colorful, whimsical artwork. My primary mediums are acrylics, art marker and oil pastels. I am passionate about color and this can be seen in most of my work. Color, detail, and precise line work are integral elements of my vibrant creations. Color brightens the spaces that surround us, stimulates the mind and uplifts the soul. Through my artwork, I strive to do just that as well as promote a sense of playfulness and fun. My primary goal is to create colorful, unique artwork that is vibrant and lighthearted. Art has always been a source of light for me and a vital part of nurturing my creativity and caring for my mental health. When I create uplifting pieces, I love to see the effect that it has on others. There is so much dark in the world and I want my artwork to be a source of light and love.

People often comment that I must be such a happy person and that is why my work is so bright and colorful. I have painted some of my most colorful works during the darkest moments in my life. Not only does working with bright colors have a positive impact on me, I also find such joy in the positive impact it has on others. I paint how I want others to feel and love nothing more than silently observing people while they view my artwork and watching their moods lift and smiles turn up on their faces. This would be the thing I am most proud of as an artist, being a source of whimsy and light in a world that can at times be a very dark place.

Who else deserves credit – have you had mentors, supporters, cheerleaders, advocates, clients, or teammates, that have played a big role in your success or the success of the business? If so – who are they and what role did they play/how did they help.
I am so blessed to have people in my life that show me immense encouragement. First and foremost my parents have been my biggest cheerleaders and I owe so much to them for their unwavering love and support. When I was struggling and could not afford all the things that I needed to start doing art events, my stepdad jumped right in and without hesitation he provided me with the foundation I needed to get started. Not only that but he went to all the events I attended in CA, waking up early on weekends to load up my equipment and help me set up my booth. He has always been my rock and I appreciate him more than words can say.

My mother has always enthusiastically encouraged my creativity. When I was about 11 years old, I drew a portrait of Keanu Reeves from the movie Speed which I was obsessed with at the time. She could not tell me enough how amazing it was. She even convinced me to send it to his fan club, insisting that I must send it because it was too good not to be shared. I always look back on that memory with a giant smile. She was more excited than I was about how that portrait turned out and I will never forget how amazing that made me feel. Without my parents, I would not be where I am today.

I also can’t express enough how lucky I am for my amazing boyfriend and his incredible mother who have gone above and beyond for me in so many ways to help me succeed in all my endeavors. I am truly grateful to each and everyone one of my friends, family and customers that have stood by me, never letting me accept anything less than achieving my dreams and helping me to believe in myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.artbylinz.com
• Phone: 916-600-4164
• Email: linz@artbylinz.com

Suggest a story: VoyagePhoenix is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.