Spark Spotlight Artist : Leaflin Lore Winecoff
North Carolina native Leaflin Lore Winecoff refers to herself as a purveyor of magic in the forms of paintings, yoga, healing, costumery and performance, poetic scribblings, and the way she dances through life. A resident of Asheville, NC, Leaflin counts herself lucky to know what she is here to do on this planet – and to always have known. “Above all other ideals, I have longed to be a free spirit and embody magic, and to share that magic with the world,” she says. “I am here to shake the shakti and churn the chi on this mad whirling dance-floor of life. I am here in service to my muse, whose mission is to serve all.”
1) How did you become interested in art?
Art was the first thing I was ever interested in. My parents are both artists, and they had artists as friends. I just grew up with it. What a blessing. Appreciating beauty and feeling an urgency to somehow play with it, merge with it, commune with it, express it…
2) What initially caused you to pursue a career in the arts?
I do what comes naturally to me, and I try not to waste too much time or fret too much about what doesn’t. I do what I have had to do for my physical and mental health, and in doing so, have pretty much disqualified myself from any other career. It’s been a process. I’ve often juggled numerous side hustles and frequently been scraping the bottom of the barrel with regards to resources, but fortunately, I understand that money is not the only or most valuable resource. I had a period of 9 or so years when I didn’t really consider myself an artist and instead became more interested in yoga and meditation. The urge to paint again came one day when I was living in NYC and had an opportunity to talk to a gallery owner about my past work. When I realized that nothing she said would actually have much effect on what I produced, that was the moment the artist in me was sort of “born again.”
3) How long have you been in Asheville?
I moved to Asheville towards the end of 2011. I grew up in these glorious grandmotherly mountains (in Ashe county) and from the ages of 15-35, I followed my wanderlust far and wide.
4) Who is your biggest inspiration?
The first people that come to my mind are my parents. My mom is so naturally non-judgemental, creative, and authentic, and is one of those people for whom art is simply a byproduct of everything else she does. My dad is also a seeker of beauty and a master craftsman. They both have always encouraged me to pursue my myriad art forms. I’m also perpetually inspired by my community here in Asheville, and the “burn" community at large. It’s amazing what humans can do together!
5) What is most important to you in your art?
That it is “good”, whatever that means! That it’s “real”! That I am satisfied with my own efforts. It is difficult to articulate what that means. When I look at a “good” piece of art, whether it’s mine or someone else’s, there’s a feeling of familiarity – a feeling that it always existed. That it had to exist. I want to create the things that must exist, that only I can create.
6) What kind of art do you create?
Painting is my first true love. I started out painting with oils, and I hope to return to that someday. I’ve dabbled in realism, magical surrealism, portraiture and plein air painting. More recently, I’ve been working with acrylics, creating large abstract works. Figures are making their way into some of these, as I’ve been doing a lot of figure drawing these days. I also dabble in performance art, collaborating with my partner and other community members via our mutual project “Pagans & Androids”. I also perform as a stilt walker at numerous events around town.
7) What is most rewarding about the work you do?
The impact I have on kids is very rewarding. Even though much of my art isn’t “for kids,” kids of all ages are my favorite audience. A few months ago, a friend came to my studio with his two kids, and they each picked out a painting. Nothing could have made me happier. I love knowing that my art may imprint on them as the art I grew up with imprinted on me. I’m letting them know that magic is real, and that’s what I’m here for.
Leaflin Lore Winecoff’s artwork can be seen on her Facebook page: Leaflin Lore Winecoff Art and on her Instagram page: @mooonrabbit