We had the good fortune of connecting with Larissa Monique Hauck and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Larissa Monique, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Art and creative expression is something that has always been in my life. My grandmother was a painter and as a young child I spent a lot of my time drawing, painting, and colouring with her. We used to go for walks in the forest and she would teach me the names of flowers and plants, which still inspire me to this day. My parents were always very supportive of me creating as well. Funny enough, I didn’t really think of it as being a full time career growing up. It wasn’t until after High school and I was able to attend the Alberta College of Art and Design (Now the Alberta University of the Arts) that I started to really invest myself and think of really pursuing a creative career. I find that nothing compares to selling an artwork that you have created. Art is sharing some of the most intimate parts of yourself and yet connecting personally to someone you have never met. It is not an easy path, but learning to deal with rejection is important in life and a creative path will certainly teach you about that! For me, I have always needed to create. The studio is where I find home, where I work through the emotions of the day, and where I feel the most safe to be myself. I tend to create constantly and try not to think too hard about whether or not an artwork is “good enough” because you never know how someone else may react to it. I am not interested in the elitist side of the art world either. I believe art is important for everyone to experience and appreciate, so I try to combat that in the access to my work. Art is something I cannot live without, and I am very grateful to be able to share my creativity with the world. 

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As I mentioned, I try to create consistently and without overanalyzing. Artists are their own worst enemies sometimes (at least for me!) and tend to over-critique themselves. By learning to let go of always making something “beautiful” I have been able to develop my own style and imagery. I do not make the same artwork as I did 5 years ago nor do I want to. It is important to evolve and be open to learning new things as an artist. It can be hard work as a creative, but if you keep going (and going) it is incredibly rewarding to see what you are capable of. Seeing how art connects to people has taught me about the power of imagery and sharing our stories with one another. And sometimes it takes a while to find EXACTLY what you want to say, but that shouldn’t discourage you!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Well, assuming it is a post-covid world, I would plan a sushi dinner at Red Ember and visit some of my favourite art galleries the first night. If it is winter time we would go skating at night in the city with all the lights lit up, and if it is summer then we would go to one of the many festivals that take place. During the day we might go for a walk down the river or a bike ride if it is sunny. What I love about cities is there is (usually) always something new to discover if you are open to it. So, I would also be looking for new experiences for the both of us during this (hypothetical) visit!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
If you are familiar with my work, you can probably tell I am influenced by mythology and folklore. The old stories that we have passed down for generations, and the way they change with each teller interests me. I can’t deny the influence of “The Odyssey”, and the recent adaptations by Madeleine Miller with “Circe”. Growing up I lived off of stories surrounding urban legends, fairytales, and scary stories. Also, I can’t give credit without thinking of my parents! They always made sure I was able to create and were always helping me set up booths and promote my art.

Website: larissamoniquehauck.com/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/larissamoniquehauck/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/larissamoniquehauck
Other: www.etsy.com/ca/shop/LucidGardenArt

Image Credits
All images taken & owned by me.

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