Meet Landen Prather | Artist and Art Gallery Owner

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

Hi Landen, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I don’t feel like myself if I’m not creating or surrounded by art. There have been periods in my life where I stepped away, but I wasn’t being true to myself. I am a creator, and it was installed in me before I was born. Creating work and sharing it with the world has allowed me to be able to live in my purpose, while being exposed to other talented creators as well. My mission is to spread love, joy and peace through my work while also helping other artists to get the proper respect that their life’s work deserves. There is room for all of us to be successful in our own lanes. This is why I pursue this mission everyday. Being “seen” as an artist is one of the greatest rewards.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I call the artwork I create Soul 4RealIZM. A mix of abstract, surrealism and at times figurative work. My works a bright in color, bold in subject matter and experiment with texture and brush stroke fidelity. As a multidisciplinary artist, I create based off of emotions. There are times when I want to convey a specific feeling, and this emotion may have been sparked by a dream or an experience. There are other instances where In am literally painting a dream that I have seen and I need to get it out on to a canvas. Cathartic creations are some of my favorite pieces as they could have only been made as a means to get through a tough experience. Art has the power to heal, not only for the creator, but the audience experiencing the work. I have been an artist since I was very young, winning awards and being recognized. When I became an adult, my creative brain took a break, I just didnt think it was possible for me to have a career in art. I believe that all artists go through some sort of imposters syndrome, mine just lasted for over a decade. In 2020 I had the support of my soulmate to pursue a career in art again. Being shown in art galleries, accepted to art shows around Georgia and being able to get back into commissioned work, I once again was in m y sweet spot. In 2022 I was able to experience the Piedmont Park Arts Festival as an artist, something I wanted to do ever since I was a child. This experience gave my wife and I the extra push to open up the Landen Prather Fine Art Gallery. I love creating art and seeing how other artists express themselves. By having our own art gallery in Villa Rica, we are able to share amazing artwork with a great community.

• Thought Process Behind Starting the Business
o My wife Dr. Marissa Prather and I wanted to create an environment where we could showcase artwork that speaks to people in a new way. A home for artists and their artwork that felt like an actual home. We believe that art is for everyone and there shouldn’t be pretentious barriers to viewing and collecting fine art. Also, the definition of what fine art is needs to change. There are so many talented artist out here who are living and who are relatively unknown. The world needs to see the vast amount of talent that is truly available in this world of ours.
• Risk taking: how do you think about risks, what role has risk taking played in my life/career
o I believe that not following my dreams would be making one of the worst decisions in my life. There is risk with anything worth doing, hard work as well. There is no abundance on the other side of playing it safe, not the ultimate reward at least. To live and be true to yourself, is the greatest reward. To help others find their true potential as well. It was a risk to open up an art gallery that wasn’t in an already previously established part of the city, but there is always a first. Taking the risk to open our first art gallery was a great decision.
• Where are you from and how did your background and upbringing impact who you are today
o I was born in Atlanta and grew up in Gwinnett. Spending summers in Atlanta as well as attending Georgia State University, the soul of the city of Atlanta lives in me. Bright colors, loud music and a unique individual style all play a part in my identity as an artist and as a person. In Atlanta, there is so much possibility. That swagger and belief is something that I own, the belief I have in myself and the mission for my life.
• What is the most important factor behind your success/ the success of your brand
o The support system that I have in my wife Marissa is priceless. Having such an amazing woman by my side is the most important factor by far. She is able to see and notice things in our business through her unique perspective and she is also an amazing curator for our gallery. Her eye for art is great and I lean on her in so many ways as we have built this together. The Landen Prather Fine Art Gallery would not be a reality without her.
• What value or principle matters mostly to you and why
o Integrity matters the most. It encompasses honesty, hard work and values. Anyone in my circle needs to be a person of integrity, this is the type of man that I am.
• Work life balance: how has your balance changed over time? How do you think about the balance?
o I don’t believe there is such a thing as balance. There are choices we are making at a particular point in our lives. There will always be moments where one particular task or role will take the front seat. In my situation, I am an artist, artist representative, art gallery owner as well as a member of my community. There are times where I am focused on being the best artist I can and focus on work I am creating.
• What’s the end goal? Where do you want to be professionally by the end of your career?
o The goal is to never settle, always learn, and always grow. I’m blessed to be an artist and have a group of artists around who trust me to show their work to the world. Growing this mission is an ongoing goal, and I do not see an end to this career. When you are doing something that you truly love, it is not work. I love being surrounded by and creating artwork. I’m so thankful that this is my life’s work.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to dedicate this to my wife, best friend and light mate Dr. Marissa Prather. I am not the man I am without you. I love you and thank you for being the compass in my life.

Website: LandenPrather.com

Instagram: LandenPratherART

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083585540279

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/landen-prather-fine-art-gallery-villa-rica