Today we’d like to introduce you to Destin LaGrone.
Hi Destin, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been making art since I was a very young child, my first drawing was of a toy I had of Snoopy. My parents told me I was an artist before I even really knew what that meant. I remember being 7 years old and having a vision in my head that I wanted to put to paper, and nothing was coming out the way I saw it. I filled up trash bags with crumpled up pieces of paper. I would get really frustrated, but something inside me said it was part of the process and if I keep going, one day I will be satisfied with what I make. Later on when I was in High School, I finally felt like I was making things that reflected my inner self and that fulfilled me. I was in my first art festival when I was 18. I feel like art is something I’ve lost and found time and time again. Many times I’ve forgotten who I am, and then I rediscovered myself with more inner strength, self-love and direction. The artist path feels like a becoming for me, and it is more like a wave than a straight line. About 5 years ago I fully realized that creativity is my purpose, and I dedicated myself to continuing my artist journey for the rest of my life. Every time I make a new piece, I feel more myself than I’ve ever been. Every time I make a new piece, I learn things about existence. I feel my higher self guiding me and working through me. Earlier this year, I quit my day job and have become immersed into my growth as an artist. I know that my best work is ahead of me and I’m very excited.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There’s definitely been challenges. There have been periods of time over the years where I found myself giving into distractions way too much. Whether it was partying, a toxic relationship, or an unappreciative job. Every time, I realized that as I got further away from my creativity, I got further away from my true self. I had to find my way back again and again. However, my own mind is the biggest challenge. Creating art is such a personal, vulnerable act for me. It often involves alchemizing energies existing in my mind, heart and soul. When such inner work is occurring, self-limiting beliefs and repressed feelings will surface to be worked through. Choosing to continue on a purposeful path towards your dreams in spite of these things, is powerful. My studies in yoga, meditation, philosophy and psychology have helped me to better understand the patterns of my psyche, so that I am able to move past some challenges.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I utilize several mediums to create my work; oil paint, acrylics, ink, colored pencils, and pastels. I also do photography and creative writing as well.
My work serves as a method to explore ideas, concepts, feelings, and to form meaning and understanding within myself. I sometimes work in black and white, and sometimes in vibrant color, depending on my mood and state of mind. There is diversity of style, yet many consistencies to be found throughout my work, in the aliveness, the movement, the connectivity, the intricacies, and the energies that are reflected.
I am an interdisciplinary artist; I have always been extremely intrigued with philosophy, and spirituality.
In 2015 I walked 500 miles across Spain on a spiritual pilgrimage. In 2020 I went to Rishikesh India to study yoga and meditation. Earlier this year after I quit my job, I traveled in Europe for 3 months. Traveling is one of the grandest spiritual self discovery experiences that one can have. I am also heavily inspired by lucid dreaming, Carl Jung, psychology, alchemy, herbalism, Taoism, and hermetic wisdom.
Almost all of my work comes directly from visions, dreams, and meditative states.
I developed a technique that involves putting pen to paper with no preconceived idea of what I will create. I put myself in the moment, becoming one with the pen. I move freely and see what wants to be revealed. In these free flow works, most times faces are revealed, sometimes animals or other forms. Through this method, things are pulled directly from the subconscious.
There are several series in which I am currently working; dealing with concepts on dream symbolism, vibration, frequency of all things, and liminal spaces.
What makes you happy?
Happiness is a state of mind. I can do something one day and it will make me happy and then another day the same thing could make me feel nothing. Deciding to live in a state of gratitude and choose happiness over other negative emotions, is a crucial aspect to being happy. I do think happiness in the form of fulfillment can be discovered and built over time. I’ve found that movement therapy such as ecstatic dance, live music, creating something that I feel proud of, developing and fostering meaningful bonds with other individuals, connecting with other creatives and mutually appreciating each others art, learning new information about topics I’m interested in, spending time in nature, running my own business, having enough money to travel wherever I want, and a good cappuccino, all make me feel very happy.
Contact Info:
- Website: destinlagrone.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/destinlagrone
Image Credits
Photographers Beau Bumpas, and Jay Indigo
