Georgia native Lindy Lane pulls inspiration from her Southern roots and its traditional roles for her art, but not in the way you think. Her work flips the traditional notion of femininity on its head and smashes damsel-in-distress stereotypes in favor of strong, badass motifs.
You may have spotted her at one of the many artist markets around town (seriously, we’re not sure she ever sleeps), slinging her “Fuck Off,” “Nasty Woman,” and “Man Eater” prints and paintings framed on vintage frames.
Here, Lane shares more about her artist market hustle, her “all over the map” creative process, and her favorite commissions.
CommonCreativ: You’re a Georgia native, right? What first sparked your interest in making art?
Lindy Lane: Yes, I grew up on St. Simons Island. My mom was always very creative and artistic, and she always encouraged arts and crafts. I was constantly drawing and making things from a very young age. I really can’t remember a time in my life that I wasn’t. In high school, I started taking art classes as soon as I could, instead of the usual foreign language elective. I also had an unusually amazing art teacher for all four years of high school. You can all thank Mr. David Veater for some of my drive and weirdness.
CC: Your work explores themes of femininity and Southern culture. What do you think the rest of the world could learn from Southern women?
LL: This is sort of a loaded question for me, especially in the current social and political climate. I feel like Southern women are often stereotyped as being meek and submissive — delicate flowers in a man’s world, if you will. As someone who was born in the ’80s, grew up in Southeast Georgia and has spent her adulthood in Atlanta, I would have to say that the ‘damsel in distress’ role of Southern women, and women in general, is outdated and incorrect. My artwork often expresses a wink and nod (or middle finger) at traditional feminine roles and stereotypes. I thoroughly enjoy poking at controversial topics in a light and humorous way.
So I guess to better answer your question, the rest of the world could learn from Southern women that you can be a strong, intelligent, independent badass with a good head on your shoulders and still sport Southern values like basic consideration for others, friendliness, and even manners — none of which are signs of weakness. “Bless her heart.”
CC: How would you describe your creative process?
LL: All over the map. I feel like my subject matter and medium change a lot. Sometimes I get bored and want to try something new; sometimes I get lazy or uninspired and stick with the same thing for a long time. I have definitely learned that trying to force the creative process doesn’t work. I have to be feeling inspired and in that zone for anything worthwhile to be produced, otherwise I hate it even if other people love it! Things have to come to me and evolve organically as I go.
CC: We’ve seen your handiwork on album covers, event posters, t-shirts and logos around town. What’s been your favorite commission so far?
LL: I’d have to say that my favorites have been logos in which they gave me the idea as far as imagery, but just told me, “I love your style and I trust you; do your thing.” I only have a fine arts background, but was always told I have a very graphic and precise eye. Basically, I have an eye for graphic design, but hate computers too much to want to get away from doing everything by hand. Handmade is truly a dying art as everything digital takes over. I love projects that combine that graphic and fine arts style and allow me to use mixed media. Some semi-recent examples are logos I did for Hot Pink Poo (handmade jewelry) and Bleux Stockings Society (badass literary organization for cis women, trans women, and non-binary people). Also, I can’t leave out Critical Asss ATL (ladies bicycle ride). I have made countless fun collaged posters for them over a couple years.
CC: We always look forward to seeing your booth at art festivals. What’s it like to be an artist in the festival circuit these days?
LL: Exhausting, but fun. There are so many opportunities for pop-up markets these days. It seems like every single weekend there is something going on. I recently had to make myself stop taking on so much for my own sanity! I definitely get in routines where I take on too much and burn the candle at both ends. It’s difficult for me to pick and choose what events I want to do because I never want to miss out! Sales and turnout speaking, they’re always hit or miss. Sometimes I unexpectedly do really well, sometimes I slave away for days on end and sell next to nothing, and sometimes we get rained out. It all goes with the territory.
Lindy Lane
CC: What are some of your favorite events, organizations and creative people in Atlanta?
LL: Man. I have met so many amazing and talented people through doing shows and markets around town. I definitely enjoy some of the smaller events in my area over the big weekend-long ones. The monthly Past Time Pop-Up at 97 Estoria, the SWAP at Argosy, the occasional EAV Craft Market, etc. As a one-woman show, it fits my time constraints when it comes to making so many things by hand; but I also just really love being involved in the tighter-knit sense of community of my own neighborhood.
As far as people, anyone who knows me knows I do more than my part in supporting my fellow local makers and shakers… through buying all their stuff! The amount of handmade jewelry I sport every day is certainly a testament to that, as well as the obnoxious amount of art on my walls. The ladies of Fossil & Hide are always killing it; Susannah Caviness of Eleventh Housewares and Mindzai Creative, Leela Robinson of Native Bear, Lynne Tanzer, Lauren Visconti of Melting Sun Apparel and Paris on Ponce Pop-Up Shop, just to name a handful.
CC: What’s your take on Atlanta’s creative scene today?
LL: I am absolutely blown away by all the creative events and people in Atlanta. This city has an amazing effervescence for art, creativity, and music. From street art to tattoo shops, to jewelry and craft makers, to local bands. All you have to do is look around you at practically any given spot and you’ll see a flyer, or even a wall painted, promoting the constant rotation of events that are going on in this city. Supporting art, supporting handmade, and supporting local is so crucial to a community. I for one am just glad that I am able to be a part of it.
CC: What’s next for you?
LL: That is a very good question, and the answer is: who knows! I am at that terrifying age in my life where I am facing lots of crossroads — half of the time telling myself I need to grow up and get a “big girl job,” and half of the time patting myself on the back and saying, “You’re doing great!” I am continuously talking myself in and out of keeping my 2-4 days a week bar job in order to force myself into making art full time. I have also seriously considered trying to delve into becoming a tattoo artist, among other things. At the end of the day, all I care about is being able to do what I love. For me, that means making art in some form or another; and hey, hopefully being able to pay some bills in the process. I like to think I keep a healthy balance of being a pragmatic dreamer.
You can find more of Lindy Lane’s work on her Instagram. Interview conducted by Kelly Reardon.
