Meet Livia Xandersmith | Artist

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

Hi Livia, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I wouldn’t call myself a natural risktaker, I’d actually call myself risk-averse. But some risks in life have to be taken to in order to feel fulfilled. No risk equals no reward. In the case of choosing to be an artist, I had to ask myself: What was a bigger risk? The risk of being an artist or the risk of potentially never feeling fulfilled and always wondering what if… Obviously, I chose to be an artist. I could not risk not being able to explore what this career could be and the happiness it could bring me. I take risks all the time, but they are calculated risks. They are risks I spent time and care to consider. Whenever I am about to make a big decision or take on a big project, I look back and think about how my past endeavors or risks turned out. I remind myself that my dedication and persistence made those risks a success. And the risks that didnt pan out? Well they led me to where I am today. Taking risks, even if they dont end up 100% positive, will always benefit you. Maybe they will connect you with a person, give you a new prospective, or teach you something about yourself. Failure is not an end, its an innevitable step along the way to success.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a mixed media painter. I love to create surrealist paintings that depict difficult to talk about topics such as media consumption, the collective unconcious, as well as gender roles and many others. My work can be discribed as chaotic and visually overwhelming, but I believe my work is a represention of our current social and political time and the turmoil and anxiety that it produces. I attend Washington Univesity in St. Louis and will be graduating with my Masters of Fine Arts degree in May. I have also recieved many grants that have funded my work and had multiple solo exhibitions. I have achieved these things solely on perservierance. Nothing worth doing is easy and I remember that when I feel frustrated or think about quiting art and getting a deskjob. Something I have also learned (which is still a heard thing for me to enact) is that you have to be your biggest fan. You have to self advocate and put yourself out there for people to see your work and to receive recognition. You can be the most talented artist, but if you dont put your work, writting, or product in front of as many eyes as possible, you will not see that recognition.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If a friend was visiting me in St. Louis, I would have to take them to Delmar Boulevard for food. Salt & Smoke, Soul Taco, and Mission Taco are all so yummy. For some fun, we would go to The City Museum, which is not really a museum but a giant art installation/playground for kids and adults. It’s made of recycled building materials and occupies multiple stories of an old shoe factory. You would have to spend a whole day in Forest Park which has free museums and a zoo along with beautiful nature and a great bike path. We would go to the Grove where we would go into some cool local shops and go to a local brewery called Urban Chestnut.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I have to thank my parents, Dave and Laura Alexander for all the pep talks and the support. My husband, Christian Xandersmith, deserves a shout-out for always helping me with the projects and showing me so much love and support for what I do. I also want to thank my mentor Katie Waters, who taught me how to paint and pushed me to work hard and always strive for my best.

Website: liviaxandersmith.com

Instagram: @liviaxandersmith.art

Facebook: @liviaxandersmith

Image Credits
Livia Xandersmith