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Visions, Mysticism and a Life Built on Colour: The Artist Who Chose Her Own Path

  • Liba Waring Stambollion
  • 8 hours ago
  • 4 min read

Interview with Liba Waring Stambollion


1. Please tell us something about your background and your art journey so far.

I come from a family of four girls, and from a very early age, we each gravitated toward passions that eventually became our livelihood. Mine was art. There was never any doubt that I would be an artist; some things we simply know if we listen to ourselves.


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2. Describe what a normal day looks like as an artist.

In my mid-fifties, I finally shifted professions and became a full-time artist, writer, and curator. Being self-employed requires self-discipline. Unless I am traveling or handling an emergency, my days follow a strict rhythm. Mornings are for appointments and administrative tasks: bills, taxes, logistics. Afternoons, with their natural light, are reserved for painting. That time is precious; I do not take appointments then. I am at work. Evenings are dedicated to writing, which requires its own quiet space.


3. Can you tell us more about the theme in your art and your inspiration?

Choosing to live as a self-sufficient artist is rarely easy. A painting can take months or even years to complete and putting a price on that time can feel impossible. The art market is speculative: people often pay high prices not for work they love, but for what they believe will appreciate in value. My artwork is centered around my dreams, visions, and outlook of this great mystery. It has been centuries since mysticism was in vogue, and it certainly was not when I graduated from art school. I realized that if I wanted to stay true to my vision, I could not depend on selling my paintings for income. Instead, I chose to design furniture, a creative field with a steady, paying audience. I did this for 30 years, painting for myself and my dear ones.


Star Dreamer Dream
Star Dreamer Dream

4. Could you share any difficulties and hardships you had to face in life and how or if you managed/overcame them?

I see life as a great university. Every experience teaches me who I am. Even the most difficult moments have offered valuable lessons; nothing has been a mistake, only part of my development as a loving, creative being. The most important artistic lesson I’ve learned is to remain true to my vision, even if no one else understands it. The pursuit of fame and fortune is a universal temptation, but for artists it can be particularly challenging. When I re-entered the art world, I went after shows and galleries I admired. Yet by the time I was good enough for them, I had already raised the bar, making each success feel disappointing. I began to see how easily one becomes a “hungry ghost,” always wanting more. For a time, I tried focusing only on the joy of creating without needing appreciation. But appreciation matters; every living thing responds to it. Over time, as my craft sharpened, I found my audience. If a painting moves even a handful of people, I am deeply grateful. Gratitude, I've learned, is one of life's greatest gifts; it makes every moment rich and satisfying.


5. Tell us about your best experience in the art world so far.

In 2010, I was invited to the fantastic-arts biennale Chimeria in France. There I discovered a community of artists who painted dreams and visions, and for the first time, I felt I had found my artistic family. Many of them were women, which was surprising, as I grew up in a generation where women made up only a tiny fraction of the art market. Their work was powerful yet underrepresented. This inspired me to create a book of sacred art and writing by women, which launched my association, Dreams and Divinities: a community dedicated to profound, Spirit-led art. With this band of merry pranksters, I created four books, a Tarot deck, and around thirty shows worldwide.


Transcend Duality
Transcend Duality

6. What practical advice can you give to fellow artists?

My advice to young artists is simple: make art because you love to make it, not for fame or fortune. Don't compare yourself to others. Each of us expresses the universal in a unique way, and that diversity is what fills the world with beauty. Be inspired by others. Stay open to new ideas, techniques, and materials so that your process remains alive, surprising, and revealing.


7. Is the artist life lonely? Please share your thoughts and experiences.

Working from home is solitary. When I was a designer, I had my own gallery, saw people daily, and often went to lunch with friends. Now, video calls keep me connected to friends and family around the world. I usually chat with someone while I paint, something my mother, who was also an artist, could never understand. I eventually realized why it works for me: once my composition is in place, the rest of the process is about discovery with colour and flow. This part of the painting is intuitive and becomes ruined if I give it too much thought.


Caduceus
Caduceus

8. What are you working on at the moment and are there any upcoming events you would like to talk about?

Being part of an artistic community remains one of my greatest sources of inspiration. I travel frequently for exhibitions, and these gatherings deepen relationships and introduce me to new techniques and materials: the treasures in my “magic chest.” Last year, I stepped away from my typically structured compositions and created a freeform diptych. I dripped paint down two long canvases and let the landscape hidden inside the drips reveal itself. It felt like the ultimate doodle. I call it the Doodle Diptych, and it is currently on display at the Naia Museum in Brittany.


Liba Waring Stambollion


Dreams and Divinities

 
 
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