I'm browsing through Etsy one night with my husband... We come across a print of a small child shooting lazers from his eyes into an owl. My mind is blown. The artist is Lany Devening. I email her right away, asking her to be a part of the Female Art Collective. She's new to Louisville and is more than happy to be involved.
So I go to meet Lany... Picturing her as possibly having a shy darker demeanor... At least some outward signs of her dark sharp humor that her artwork omits.
I walk into the coffee shop and look around. I'm looking for two things, this image of an artist I haven't met and a huge box. In our email conversations, she assures me "I'll be carrying a huge box full of art". Huge box (check). Dark and mysterious artist... No. Here sits Lany with a beautiful smile, long sandy brown hair, original (BUT) cheerful style, and no chips on her shoulder what-so-ever. Now this
is mysterious, and I go on talking to her for over an hour and a half just to get to the bottom of who she is.
She's intelligent with a clever sense of humor, very open, very knowledgable of the human mind and its relationship with life. She's brought prints and wood mounts and embroidery. She goes on about the process of each piece, everything has a back story.
We come to a house... it's on fire. & I remember many of her prints where there is smoke climbing up the stairways and circling in around people and animals. It brings this huge relief. The past year of my life felt that way, the way of something so destructive creeping in and everything else around it is seemingly picture perfect. Now I'm not saying that's the point she's getting at, but she's pulled me in for sure. And that's definitely the thing about art, it puts words to pieces of our lives that we fall short to describe or grasp fully.
And again with her embroidery of a house on fire with rainbows emitting from it. This piece being a labor of love taking her up to 6 months to make.
Then there are my favorites... Where she's used old family portraits as inspiration. This boy seems to be smiling behind those eyes, but you can't tell if it from a playful thought or a devious little plot... It has a Village of the Damned feel to it. I'm creeped out and in love at the same time.
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Q & A ::What drew you to art therapy?I feel kind of like art therapy found me. I was working in a group home and a co-worker that had volunteered at the state psychiatric hospital gave me the number of her supervisor. One thing led to another, and she became my boss. She is an art therapist, so getting to work in the field is what convinced me to merge my favorite things- art, psychology, and working with people.
What does your art do for you personally?Art makes me sane (when its not driving me crazy!). The process is so addictive, and the finished product never ceases to amaze me. I love printmaking so much because adding that final layer is like opening a present.
What drew us to your art was it's playful dark side. What do you think contributed to your unique style?I've always been drawn to scary movies and books. I loved Nancy Drew mysteries when I was little, and I LOVE the Twilight Zone. There will never be a more perfect show. My art has definitely been influenced by these things. I am also so inspired by old family photos, so if I'm going to incorporate the two interests together, it needs to be with a little humor and color.
You master different media and techniques, is there a new medium or technique that you're itching to try?Lately I've itching to do some ceramics. You would think my previous experience would deter this itch, but I'm just so jealous of people who can throw beautiful functional pottery on the wheel.
What are some of your favorite things about your new home here in Louisville?I love my fireplaces and huge windows and all the space. My dog is a big fan of the sunshine too.
What are some of your favorite experiences during art school, art therapy, or shows, etc. ?My favorite experiences have all been about meeting new people and seeing what they make. If its in a gallery, school, or even a hospital, sharing artwork with others is always the best!
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