New Artist on the Lane: Lanie Mann
Look out! Lanie Mann has landed on the Lane. She is one of our newest featured artists and best of all she is a local! The D.C. area has always had such a transient nature, due in large part to the political pendulum, so when we find a local talent being inspired in some fashion by their surroundings, we want to ride that wave and remind ourselves of the multi-faceted nature of our great, eclectic city and the vibe being produced here.
Photo Helen Norman
We recently hosted a spring event in the courtyard and Lanie was able to join us to meet and mingle. She has an enthusiasm about her art that is apparent and exciting. In addition to her colorful abstracts, she does commission portraits of children from sentimental photographs. These portraits are more casual in style than the typical traditional portraits.
Below are a few Q&As, which help paint a better picture of the painter. Enjoy…and come see some of her work at Ivy Lane!
What do you think is the source of your creativity?
I come from a pretty creative family. My mom and sister are both artists – and creativity was always encouraged as a child and art supplies always available.
What is your background?
Painting was always a passion of mine. I’ve taken classes throughout college and after college just for my own enjoyment. I studied art history in Florence, Italy my junior year of college, which was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had. I started painting for myself and slowly friends and friends of friends started asking for commissions. It seems to be growing in an organic sort of way, which is exciting to me.
With which artist do you most identify?
I just love abstract expressionist painters. The colors, loose, gestural brushstrokes, scribbles – all have influenced my work. De Kooning, Joan Mitchell, Cy Twombly, Helen Frankenthaler –they take my breath away when I walk into a gallery. In addition, the Florentine Renaissance artists will always hold a special place in my heart from my time in Italy.
Where do you find your inspiration?
I get inspired when I’m around, listening to, or reading about other creative people. I think it’s their energy – that makes me want to run to my studio and start working. I love the Jealous Curator blog and her podcast Art for Your Ear. It’s so interesting to me to hear how artists paved their own way.
What food, drink, or song inspires you?
Music definitely inspires my work and some painting titles, too. Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of Tame Impala, Band of Horses, and Joni Mitchell. Before anything can happen in the studio I have to have my coffee. I rarely paint at night, but if I do – I’ll take a vodka soda with lemon.
Do you hang your art in your home, give it as gifts?
I do hang art in my home. Because we built my studio upstairs in my house, studio visits also include a walk around the house. It’s nice to display finished work on the walls; it’s sort of my personal gallery space. I’m constantly changing things around the house – and often sell a painting straight off the wall.
How do you know when a work is finished?
I definitely have to live with a painting for a few days before deciding if it’s finished. Especially my abstracts – I’ll often hang them in a place I’ll see and walk by throughout the day – and can feel if there is something that doesn’t feel right or complete – then it’s back up to the easel.
- About the studio
Alex Deringer and Courtney Cox combine their formal training in design and fashion with their renowned sense of style in Ivy Lane, a full-service interior design firm that curates casually elegant family dwellings that are elevated by a unique spark. Whether an entire house renovation or a one-room makeover, Alex and Courtney’s extensive experience and collaborative dynamic inform a successful design philosophy: thoroughly understand the client’s lifestyle, bring a thoughtful spatial perspective, and enliven the space with the freshest aesthetic interest.
309C Cameron Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22314
studio@ivylaneliving.com
703.566.6582
