Meet Elizabeth Lang | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elizabeth Lang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elizabeth, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I used to think if I planned well enough and thoroughly enough, I would achieve balance and my life would be so much easier! I would sit down with a calendar and write in all the wonderful things I would achieve each week. I have learned in my journey as an artist, my personal journey, and the journey that we call “2020” that I do not have control over everything and plans mean nothing when you are faced with circumstances that change the way you have to do nearly everything in your life and work. I am a trained counselor and used to work with individuals in recovery from addiction. Honestly they taught me every tool I am using to get by right now. I am literally reminding myself to take it one day at a time every day this year, and I have learned to use this principle as I have gone through every stage of growing my art into a full-time business. There are so many unknowns in running your own business, so you have to keep your top priorities in place even when they feel like they are giving you little return. Although there will be times for evaluating all you do and making edits, you have to be patient with some things. That is one reason I think it is so important to think of balance as a daily task. Make a list of all the things that make you feel whole – a good meal, a chat with a friend, a walk outside. I try to do a minimum of one thing for myself every day. Sometimes that is simply having a meal with my boyfriend. We both do a lot of work from home, so we can be together without really being together. By that, I mean we can be around each other without really being present. Being intentional is a key factor in taking care of yourself and your relationships. I think of balance as one of those goals that I strive for but will never achieve, and I think that’s ok. I think the point with aiming to find balance is progress and not perfection. I’ve learned to remind myself of that as I grow. If I can check in with myself and feel balanced, I think I have met my goal.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started painting as a kid and always loved it. My mom put me into art classes, but I didn’t study art formally. I never thought it would be a career for me. I had picked up on all the negative stereotypes about artists and believed it wasn’t a viable career. It makes me laugh now to think of all those stereotypes, because to succeed in the world of art, you have to work so hard I did however buy into all the skepticism when I decided to be a full time artist. I was fully aware of the fact that it may not be “the smartest” life decision. I was just at the point where I had to follow a dream or I would never give it a chance. I felt like I was in a good place to start a business even though I had little idea what that would mean. I had some savings I was ready to invest in myself and an idea of where I wanted to begin. I valued every dollar I made that year as if it was my first million! I also reconnected to painting in a way I hadn’t done in years. One of the hardest parts of that first year was the feeling that I was always doing something wrong. I consider myself a hard worker, and being at home painting didn’t feel hard enough. It felt like I was supposed to be doing more, I didn’t deserve to be an artist, and this was a silly career. I kept going (obviously) but that was a constant struggle. I had a friend who told me I needed to write down reminders that contradicted every negative thought I had about myself. I kept those written on note cards in a box and would pull them out every time I had a low point. I had blank cards in there too, so that I could write down an affirmation when a defeating thought started to surface. That was really helpful. I don’t think we give enough credit to the words we surround ourself with. If all you hear is negative without fighting back, how do you expect to be positive and succeed? My art has come a lot way. I learned to paint when I was very young and that was a great skill to have, but I’ve almost had to re-learn everything in my career as a professional artist. I wanted to create something that was unique. I am most inspired by our natural world – waterfalls, mountains, trees – and by the colors I find around me. As a kid, I was really in love with the work of Vincent Van Gogh. I was fascinated by how he saw something that to me looked kind of mediocre and made it into an incredible vibrant visual. I thought also about how the power of a place is more than what you see – it’s what you hear and smell and feel. I wanted that to translate into my art. I am not focused on making art that is a realistic representation of a place, but rather an expression of the emotional impact of being in that place. I have a lot of places I love and even more I want to visit and paint. This year I have gotten lots of custom orders and that has honestly been a good way for me to get some wanderlust satisfaction. People send me beautiful pictures of the trips they have been on, and I have really enjoyed painting them. It has been especially nice this year since we can’t travel to all the places we want to. Every hike and trip I go on, is a reminder of a good journey. There are ups and downs and beauty exists even when life sucks. I hope I can always see beauty and convey the beauty of our world to others.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I usually take out of town friends to Ponce City Market, because you can shop, eat, and drink good things. PCM usually has something fun going on too especially if it’s around a holiday and there’s the Beltline so you could also do some walking. I would of course grab dinner at Jia Szechuan. OMG just thinking about it makes me hungry! Coffee at Spiller Park or maybe a beer at the Tap on Ponce. I love the Rooftop on the Clermont for a sunset drink when the weather is nice. And I love exploring festivals when they’re happening and I’m not a vendor. Finally on the way back to my home in Decatur, I would take them to Sceptre Brewing Arts in Oakhurst. Great beer and a super spacious patio perfect for 2020 

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to shoutout to all the other amazing artists out there who are struggling right now! When things have been hardest for me, I’ve prayed that I would be shown a new way. If you’re not into prayer, just think of being open to something new – keeping your eyes open. That’s when I find a side job or get an opportunity that helps me to continue what I do. Hard work pays off. And you do what you need to do to survive even if that means a job you’re not excited about to make ends meet. Hang in there!

Website: https://betweentheevergreens.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betweentheevergreens/

Image Credits
Photos of me in my studio were taken by Dave Williamson Photography