We recently had the chance to connect with Liz Walker and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Liz, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
I’m gonna be annoying and say sincerity, which wasn’t an option. But sincerity has been on my mind a lot lately. I think things work best when people can be their true, authentic selves and can express themselves sincerely, reflecting their true thoughts and emotions. I think sincerity is the goal.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Liz Walker and I am an artist in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I am both a painter and a film photographer, interested in making zines (handmade booklets) and Risograph (a speciality Japanese printer) printing. I think all of my work is about creating dopamine. As a depressed person, I use artwork to find and focus on the things that make me happy. There tend to be a lot of bright, saturated colors in both my paintings and photography. I am trying to share joy.
Outside of art, I am passionate about water aerobics, acupuncture, and watching b-movies on Tubi. Plus, I just became a ghost tour guide with American Ghost Walks.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I’ve always been a little odd. It runs in the family. I think getting older is a lot about connecting with the things you loved when you were young, finding comfort in those old passions and realizing you never had to outgrow them. As you get older, I think it gets easier to drop the pretense of who you “should be” and accept yourself as you are. I’ve refound myself, I suppose, but that is obviously an ongoing process.
This shows up in my work in various ways. In painting, many of my subjects are toys. And, actually, me getting into film photography is also a return to the past – I missed taking pictures and getting film developed, even though that is new as an art medium for me.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Over a year ago, a painter I admire told me I should give up painting and focus on photography. That was very painful to hear and discouraged me more than I like to admit. It changed the way I saw my own work. But in the end, I have to just keep going – keep making new stuff and keep listening to myself about what I want to create. It’s easy for me to overthink things, but I don’t think that is beneficial to the creative process. With art you have to learn by doing and keep creating in the face of self-doubt. It’s a challenge for sure, but I don’t see another option.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Whose ideas do you rely on most that aren’t your own?
For this, I have to say John Waters. I think he’s a sage. His advice to “have faith in your own bad taste” is my mantra.
Is my artwork relevant? Is it hip? Is it current? I don’t want to focus on those questions. What’s important is that it is mine and that it reflects my visual ideals. I am trying my best to make what I want to see.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
It has to be people-pleasing, right? I like to think I am already living life to the best of my ability, but if I could know the end date for sure, I would absolutely start smoking, shoplifiting, and probably wearing a beehive wig.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/everybodylikesliz/
