“LIA”

 Lia Frenae: Okay I’m ready when you are!

Paul-Anthony Middleton: Ok great. I can't say thank you enough, I'm very excited to talk to with you again. this wont be too long I promise

LF:No problem of course! Thank you as well :) 

PAM:Firstly, how are you doing today?

LF: 

I’m doing well overall, how about you? 

PAM: 

Haha it's no worries! I knew what could happen when I requested to interview an artist so I am prepared!  

I'm doing really decent though thank you.

On your Instagram you have so many outfit posts that look they came right off of a mood board, I'm a huge fan already 

LF: Really? Thank you 🥲 I’m really into fashion visually on other people, I do some things for myself but I never seen myself as a “fashion” girl 

I do have a lot of outfits saved on my Instagram, so I guess it happens   

Subconsciously

PAM: You're welcome! I think it's safe to say that I've had a similar link with fashion. It's nice to get away from the commercial aspect and just dress up and take photos, don't you think so?

LF: I definitely agree. For me when it comes to fashion, I don’t really think of what brands are hot and I try not to think about what styles are in at the moment. 

I just really like to put on what makes me feel good 

And take photos too lol. I think I started taking more photos of myself in 2019/2020 to help with confidence. Since many of us were at home for a lot of 2020 it was a good time for me to explore fashion, makeup, and art

PAM:That's awesome. How would you say that your art helped you stay grounded during the pandemic up until this point? Did you face any creative blocks?

LF: It helped realize that art is just as important as a priority to me as any other part of my life. I always knew it was important but it was the one vice in life that consistently kept me entertained. During times where I might’ve felt alone, I was able to naturally distract myself from overthinking and anything else 

PAM:That was well said.. where are you from? Did you have a lot of creative influencers growing up in your hometown or family?

LF: I do face creative blocks pretty often to be honest. Especially after long periods of constantly creating whether it be a class, commissions, or personal projects. It’s important for me to take those breaks when I need them tho. I think that’s how I get out of them. I just take time appreciating other creators 

I’m a Kansas City native! 

My main influencers was my mom and my immediate family. They’re all creative in some way but except for my mom and younger sister(actually my cousin), they don’t do much with their creativity. However they’ve always encouraged me. 

When I was in pre school, my art teacher then told my mom that I was gifted and to always keep me creating. Well my mom took that seriously and never forced anything on me. everything just flowed naturally and I’ve always been into the arts, not only visual arts 

PAM: As time passed and you began to create through different mediums, what has always been the goal of your art?

LF: I was talking to Azia Gambrell (from Art in the City) about this not too long ago. I was telling her as far as my overall goal I don’t like to overthink that too much. I’m going through a lot of changes in life and things I thought I knew years ago, I’m constantly being reminded that I’m still really young. 

I would like to somehow impact the city’s art scene one day tho. I’m not sure how at the moment 

Did that answer the question?

PAM: You answered it just fine! 

So when you mention the art community, you worked with by design magazine. Working with them, how did that come about, and did you feel like you made an impact to the art scene?

LF: One of the co creators of By Design mag messaged me on instagram and they were essentially looking for an illustrator for the t shirt It was a really smooth transition and I enjoyed working for them. 

I do think I made an impact. I know a lot of people bought the shirts and they liked the design a lot. I wear mines pretty often and I just love how unique it it is. It definitely added some flavor to some closets 

I forgot to add his name was Muenfua

PAM: I love that. I caught on to them pretty late before the last issue and I felt some serious fomo.

Do you feel that creative endeavors like what they did or what others are trying to do, could help more individuals get their projects started?

 LF: I know many people are afraid of the first attempt at trying anything 

You aren’t alone, I caught onto them when he contacted me. What they were doing was so dope. 

I do think it could help others get their projects started.  It does take a little work to put yourself out there and being consistent. I personally started making shirts on my own using an outsource company a few years ago, but through working with By Design, it helped me get some extra audience outside of those who follow and support me.  

Having supper and community is extremely important to being an artist that has a goal of wanting to create big projects for/with others. 

I think knowing people are rooting for you helps artists like me  start these things 

Having support*

PAM: I couldn't agree with that more. It's a driving force behind what I'm doing. Feels kind of diy + punk or anti establishment 

What is your ultimate goal with your art and are there any trends inspiring your workcurrently?

LF: Yesss I love that 

Hmm let think about that for a second 

PAM: Take your time I got a couple more and we can wrap up 😁

LF: Honestly I’m not sure. I create really based on whatever I’m feeling or thinking about in the moment or whatever makes me say “wow” or “omg”. Like last weekend, I was looking the mirror at myself and though I seen my flaws, in that moment I still felt beautiful. It almost immediately inspired me to take a picture and use it for reference in a drawing. Now that I think about it, outside of the obvious themes, mental health is a driving force

I hope that answered your question 😅

I don’t have any ultimate goals. I just like creating art for myself and those who can relate to what they see 

PAM: Spoken like a real artist!

LF: Thank you lol☺️

PAM: Last question, you have future creative director in your bio. What advice would you tell the version of you who typed that and saved it as the bio back then to make sure that vision comes to fruition?

LF: That’s a great question. As cliché as this is, I would say to keep going and working on my craft. Im a better artist and smarter person than I was then and I would remind myself that things take time. 

Not to let fomo take over. At some point I thought about taking it out because I was sort of depressed. I felt it was corny and they honestly would’ve been a mistake had I done it I believe. Im still on that path towards first goal but I’m even closer than I was then and good things have happened for me since then. 

I say my first goal because there’s so much I want to do in life, I don’t think becoming a creative director would stop there for me

PAM: Lia i loved that and you can aspire the creative director in all of us, I felt like you spoke to directly me for a second. 

I will be right there anticipating the next works you got coming!

I enjoyed your responses to my questions and i really hope to work with you again. There is a lot that you could show!

Thank so much for your time again. I'll email you the post once it's drafted and you can let me know what editing it needs.

I hope you have an awesome night! This was amazing

LF: Thank you! Im glad it resonated with you :) I definitely have a some, i still need to directly show the paintings from the show. 

Sounds good!  I look forward to working with you too. This interview was full of great questions and I always appreciate when people are interested in these things about me. In the future I’d like to know more about your aspirations and such as well. 

Thanks again, goodnight!

View Lia’s work here https://fisherlia11.wixsite.com/liafrenae

Connect on the socials 

https://instagram.com/lia_frenae?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=