I’ve sat down with painter Lucas Aoki in our new Creative Spotlight Series to talk about his work, what drives him to paint, and how he uses creativity to heal.
Kristin:
Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us today and for sharing your journey as a fine artist and muralist. Can you take us back to the beginning? How did you get started and why did you choose to pursue fine art?
Lucas:
So much has happened in the last 10 or so years, both good and rough moments. Looking back to the beginning, I remember this feeling of sadness and emptiness and the feeling of needing to do something more meaningful with my life. As an admirer of art and artists, I always had this idea of becoming a creative of some sort and I was really captivated by illustration and animation but felt I never had enough willpower to start exploring. But I felt I had to do something to change the way I was feeling. I almost felt I had no other choice but to take the first step. One day, a coworker at the time listened carefully when I told her I wanted to start painting. So the following day she brings her packed oil paint case and suggests I start my journey. So I did, little by little I started picking it up and trying to channel the energy I had in me onto the canvas.
It took time, moments of frustration, and self-judgment to get through my first paintings. About a year after, I decided to apply to a local gallery, got accepted, and that gave me more motivation to keep going. I felt accepted. What I was doing had value. Almost at the same time that I was picking up painting, I started to think about how to take the vision to a bigger scale. That’s when I started exploring painting on walls and by meeting new people, I got involved with the new street art movement in Austin.
The most challenging part has been to go through my emotions, deal with my feelings, and accept my weaknesses as well as my strengths. My head had been quite messy since finishing high school. I felt immature (still do at times) and out of place. But little by little, over the years I learned that art was always going to be present in my life in one way or another and that I had to accept it. The support from loved ones gave me strength. My mom and dad, siblings, my wife, and many other beautiful souls motivated me to keep pursuing this path. I found books like The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron and The Creative License by Danny Gregory that gave me a push along the way, got into meditation and exploring new outdoor activities. Being an artist and muralist today comes as a result of self-acceptance and a constant self-evolution.
Kristin:
Every single one of us has personal struggles at different times in our lives, what matters most is how we react to those struggles. In what ways do you use creativity to work through difficult feelings, experiences, and to overcome your own personal struggles or to remain in a good headspace?
Lucas:
I feel I just recently realized how therapeutic Art can be for me. Over the years, I wasn’t aware enough of its healing power. There have been tough times in my life where I could have channeled my emotions through Art but I felt I was too blocked. However, there are certain creative activities that make me feel grounded and present, such as cooking and baking and connecting to nature through movement (swimming, climbing, etc.). Even though I don’t really “write,” having access to pen and paper is always good. If I’m feeling frustrated, anxious, and angry, taking some time to sit down and translate my emotions into words is like getting a really heavy weight off my shoulders. I need to keep emphasizing physical movement, that is, exercise. For someone like me, the use of the body is highly important to transform self-loathing and non-stop mind into something positive. Contact with nature and water is one of the key elements to my staying grounded. So, swimming at Barton Springs, rock climbing in the greenbelt, and running on the trail have meant so much to me. I believe that this might be one of the reasons I enjoy painting murals, too, in particular when it comes to improvisation. Both my body and my creative mind are totally engaged in the process and the heavy thoughts going through my head start to fade or transform.
Kristin:
How does painting keep you connected to the outside world?
Lucas:
I’ve experienced really interesting human connections while painting murals in a public setting. Before I ever painted my first mural, I had no idea that interaction with other humans was such a big part of the process. I think some of the people that had stopped and observed (my work) felt inspired, others curious. But most importantly, people felt the need to connect, and the times I felt comfortable enough to open myself up and share my journey, they would do the same.
In the beginning, I would regret expressing my fears and hopes and being vulnerable with a stranger. But this is what would start a deep conversation about our lives and without knowing it, we were helping each other. I’ve met many strangers through art. And even if I might not see them again, those moments where we met and connected were so powerful and inspiring.
Kristin:
What tips do you have for overcoming self-doubt while on your journey?
Lucas:
Well, to be completely honest, I tend to doubt and question “my path” every three months or so, haha! More often than not, there are signs along the way that encourages me to keep going: a new opportunity to do something new, someone wanting to buy a painting, a fun commission, or simply a great compliment from someone that values what I do. But besides this, it comes down to reflecting on what I’m doing and trying to answer the same questions. Then I often identify the call as real.
Kristin:
What advice do you have for someone new to the field who’s interested in exploring painting for a fun / healthy outlet but doesn’t know where to begin?
Lucas:
Over the years I realized that all the answers come through action. Whatever you’re interested in, never stop exploring, doing. Even if you feel blocked or uninspired, try to keep moving by doing something creative and always stay curious. Having a variety of interests in art and in life helps me manage the heavy mental and emotional state while feeling self-restored.
Kristin:
Thank you Lucas for sharing with us today, and for the work that you do everyday!
Lucas:
I’m grateful for having this opportunity on such a positive platform!
Want to see more of Lucas’ work?
Instagram @LucasAokiArt
Facebook LucasAokiArt
Twitter @LucasAokiArt
