An aesthetic descendant of Dürer, Goya and Rembrandt – with a dash of Arbus thrown in for good measure – the L.A.-based artist plumbs her own psychological depths only to discover what makes her love work and life.
What historical art figure would you like to have lunch with? Einstein.
Personal Effects
What did you purchase with the proceeds from your first sale? I was 15… and it was an Aretha Franklin album.
A-Wreath-A
What words or phrases do you overuse? What tha fuck?!
Post-Truth
How do you know when a work is finished? I’ve been drawing for over half a century & should know by now.
When and where were you happiest? Drawing.
Happy
What is your most treasured possession? My drawing table.
What is your ideal escape destination? My studio.
What’s the worst survival job you’ve ever had? Waitressing at a Norwegian restaurant in Amsterdam, Holland.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My income.
What is your most treasured memory? Visiting The Frick Collection in NYC with my mom.
What makes you smile? A wicked sense of humor.
Democracy
What makes you cry? Other people’s suffering.
What is your go-to drink when you toast to a sale? San Pellegrino.
After an all-nighter, what’s your breakfast of champions? The last time I had an all-nighter was in 1986. I don’t remember!
Who inspires you? People who push themselves to the limit.
What’s your best quality? Tenacity.
What’s your biggest flaw? Obsessiveness.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My obsession with drawing.
What is your current state of mind? Hopefulness tinged with utter despair.
What TV series from your youth best describes your approach to life? Xena: Warrior Princess.
What do you most dislike about your appearance? I’m too small for my height.
What do you consider your greatest achievement? Being able to draw like nobody else on earth.
Delusion Dwellers
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be? The antithesis of me: a tall, wealthy Shiksa goddess with a degree in particle physics.
The artist can be reached at http://www.laurielipton.com/
