This interview was curated by KIR ART & START Shows

My name is Lara and I have a theory. We are all powerful creators. When we allow ourselves time and space to listen, let life stretch us to our edges to discover our depth, the path of expression will find its way to us. I see through symbolism and color embedded throughout culture, science, and energy. My expression of art allows me to find a recalibration of head and heart, a flowstate through the series of ups, downs and turn arounds life presents. My paint brush works intuitively, the guide to explore love and evolution, intensity and sadness, faith, rebirth and balance that always leads me back to the realization; It’s all on purpose. So while we are here, let’s dance. Let’s live out our infinite connection to the collective and beyond as the powerful, intuitive creators we came here to be.

How did you get your Artist name?

It’s all intuition. This art, the way I was made to move through the world, my perception and what sparks my heart. The third eye space is the cosmic connector, circadian rhythm regulator of the endocrine system called the pineal gland. The “third eye” is centered on our forehead above the eyes and responds to light (in all of its forms). The is endocrine gland will surge signals passed the mind, through our heart, into our gut and back. This is our system of intuition that generates our mental and emotional balance to move with trust in, the way.

How did you get into creating?

I started drawing when I was a kid. From book report covers to gifts for people I love. My mom is artsy, too. She would take me to Pearl, the arts and craft store (the OG). It always felt like a slice of heaven when I walked in. Making pictures was a natural response and I liked it. My art teachers always had me expand in some way. I am grateful for them. Many sketch books, portraits, tattoos and sneakers later, I doodled through high school into college (with a brief pause in between for some solid life lessons).

I strolled down a path that led me stop creating. It wasn’t intentional. Just, life. I learned a lot about love and the journey back to self. When I woke up in the hospital after being protected in an accident, I was asked to breathe and reboot. I was reminded to turn on the system of intuition, cleanse my body, heal my heart, activate the mission and make art.

Where are you from?

I am a Jersey girl. I grew up in Edison and moved around a bit. I finished college and began my career in Montclair. My heart and home is in Ortley Beach, NJ.

How did growing up in your neighborhood/city affect you?

Edison, NJ was a cool place to grow up. This big suburban place full of all colors and cultures coexisting without having to talk about it. It felt like a group of friends doing pretty regular kid stuff. Sports, Girl Scouts, sleigh riding behind the high school, loitering in parking lots. I’m very grateful to have grown up there. Having friends and community with different backgrounds let me see my first sanskrit letters, try manuel jangajji (pickled garlic) one of the most awesome Korean side dishes and probably planted seeds for my affinity with eastern philosophy. So yes, Edison gave me a great childhood and an expanded perspective without realizing it. Moving in high school to a less diverse town showed me the contrast with perspective. I also started out as a catholic school girl. Choir and everything! My first art teacher Ms. B. made a beautiful landscape that surrounded us (in pretty tight quarters). But that is a core memory for sure.

What did you do to advance your skills/knowledge?

Almost die. No, really though. I mean, I like school. I love learning. I always want to increase my skills and knowledge. Traveling, art shows, new connections, yoga workshops, retreats and trainings let me engage with growth as a the continuous student of life.

My wisdom building has come from the death and rebirth process. Before 21, I had to look in the mirror and actively choose sobriety to stay on a path of progress. The rebirth always asks me level up. Make art . Strengthen my body, feed oxygen and positive thoughts to the mind. Serve. Share. Leave it better than I found it. Breathe, love and be kind. And yoga, lot’s of yoga. Have I mentioned that?

What does your current setup look like?

An easel in the corner, colors everywhere. Big window. The best lighting. I am a big lighting girl. Dimmer switch, different shades, always a candlelit glow. I have a comfy, deep blue velvet chair on a swivel so I can spin around and see everything. A woman in the sky with a butterfly on her chest hangs above me. I love her. Baby blue rug in the middle with just the right amount of paint on it. A little hammer, nails, brushes, paint towels sit across the surface of my two desks. It’s a great space I am lucky. It’s in seaside heights called Gallery 619. I keep it as tidy as I can and when ideas explode all around me, it’s a good time.

Who inspires you?

Everyone in my life that I love. My family and friends. People from past lives that teach you more about yourself than you would ever expect. Inspiration is everywhere. It’s in the stuff that catches my eye on an outside stroll. Watching the clouds move. Tree bark. Ancient symbolism. A kids drawing. The unseen, unspoken energy that exists without a doubt. Artist Alex Grey. My brother and sister. My besties. My yoga teachers. Yummy Flavors. Good smells. Laughter.

What is your goal when you create?

Self Understanding. Soothing emotional experiences through symbolism and exploration. It’s like putting a puzzle together. The pieces can be all over the floor looking crazy dismantled but as soon as the art making starts, the flowstate activates and I can see what’s on my heart. From release to celebration, mind helps makes sense of things I can come back the theory “It’s all on purpose.” and keep it movin’.

Why do you create?

I create to sync up all the parts of myself, listen back to my experience, appreciate our given connection to nature, people, everyone and everything. I create to increase the potential of others finding their flowstate. Their way of moving energy. I believe in the domino effect. Like when someone yawns next to you and you yawn, too. We rub off on each other. My hope is that whatever I make or wherever I go, I create a ripple of positivity.

How has choosing your creative path affected your life?

Art has put me in places I could have only been because of the shared desire to make things and put them out into the world. It’s full of special surprises. I am grateful for creatives of all kinds and the paths we take.

Did you have to overcome any obstacles along the way?

Yup.

What's your go-to song right now and why is it important to you?

One of my favorite songs is Vienna by Billy Joel. I also just found “Take Life as She Comes” by Sophia Rayne and Marelle and have been playing it in class. They have a similar message about coming back to the present which I am very much here for.

What is your dream as an artist and what steps are you taking to reach your dream?

I show up.

What would you tell someone else with a dream?

Be it until you become it.

Tell us about your most recent release

I typically have a few collections evolving at once. My ongoing series of yogi’s through time, space, elements and storylines is now being taught with the people which is very exciting. Shout out to Jenn at Still House Wellness for hosting the first one and Amanda and Jennie at This is Yoga. They showed up to hold space for a dream of mine and that is a blessing.

The other series is love story that transformed a piece of me. It explores karma, past lives, vulnerability, lust, fear and trust. Childhood stuff, patterns, and yano, all that jazz. Letting the brush take me through those thoughts is like singing the blues. Hurts so good and then sets me free.

And of course, the Venus series. The effortless fascination of the feminine essence.

Share a link to your most recent release

http://Www.instagram.com/thirdeyetheory

Instagram

http://Www.instagram.com/lara.arbore

Facebook.com

http://www.facebook.com/laraarbore

Website

http://www.thirdeyetheory.net

Photography credit: @fc252camera KIR Art & Fashion Show photographer
@whatisasanti Gallery 619 Photographer