Today we’d like to introduce you to Levar Allen
Hi Levar, 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?
Art has been in my blood and on my mind for as long as I can remember.
Born in 97 with an unknown illustrator as a father and spiritual soul as a mother, where I’m sure the inspiration to create starts, I remember using stick figures to bring my wildest imaginations to life, filled with stories within, all the way up until 2015. An art class in my senior year of high school ironically challenged me to see just how creative I was and came to be. Ironic because that class felt more like history class than art. But I took advantage of every opportunity to create in that class, leading me to the peak of my interest in creating. By 2019, I haven’t painted as much as I’d like but decide to get rolling. One painting I completed in this time named “Outta Mind Outta Love For The Universe,” showed me exactly what the intention behind my art should be and my want for the world to see it, began. Since then, I’ve created pieces that opened minds, expanded perspectives, pulled people’s spirits, and made people think as well as feel. To this day, my love for art continues to grow. There’s so much to learn and so much to improve on.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road always feels like a struggle, with finding and maintaining resources, finding reliable shows, collaborators, and customers, and maintaining my own consistency with my art. Traveling at times can be a tad horrendous due to me not having figured out yet how to avoid my paintings from being damaged during a commute. A lot of little inconvenient things along this path but it hasn’t taken me off of it. Although there are struggles, big and small, when the road is smooth, even if it’s just for a moment, it’s smoooooth.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am an all-around painter specializing in surrealism with oils and acrylics. I say all-around because I am self taught, but also don’t stray away from completing different styles. I am known for creating pieces that feel like a trip to the younger crowd, while to the older crowd, they feel senses of enlightenment, love, and connection. To some, those feelings might be one and the same.
When it comes to my art, I am most proud of the collection that sits and grows, no matter the speed. Seeing my art surround me, being able to get lost in my own creation, and seeing other people doing the same all make me very proud of what I’ve done.
What sets me apart from others (as far as I know) is most likely my acceptance of how similar we all are as artists and how important it is to think a lot bigger. To often I see artists working in styles copied by others. And although I respect anyone who picks up a brush/pen/pencil etc. in the first place, I would love to see more of people’s individual imaginations at work. There are so many worlds and realms that are unknown to us all and I believe us artists can be the ones to bring those places to life through our art using more of our brain.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
That’s honestly an interesting question because Covid-19 only forced me to spend more time painting. If anything, it did show me how well I could paint due to being inside more often. I can honestly say the only thing I did learn was Covid-19 is controversial and it caused a lot of problems, as well as reasons for people to start problems.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/levartheartist
