Interview by Jimon

1-Where do you live and create at the moment?  Queens, NYC.

2-Where did you study art and do you think Art school was necessary for your process?  Hunter College and The School of Visual Arts in Puerto Rico. What I found most valuable about school was learning about different ways to make art. For example: Photography, video art, installation, performance, printmaking. It expanded my mind as what I could make and it made me into the multidisciplinary artist I am today.

3- Larissa De Jesus Negron in one word?  Determined.

4-Your work is very unique in nature, you use translucent cover-ups, what was the inception of this idea?  The idea for the cover-ups came from a desire to show the body in a vulnerable yet shameless perspective. My aim is always to use nudity as a metaphor for freedom. I’m also a big fan of fashion design and enjoy the act of “dressing up” the women I portray.

5-What is the inspiration behind your paintings?  Expression. To be able to tell my story through the images I create is liberating because I instantly feel heard and understood.

6- What advice would you give putative collectors?  Collect what you like. Forget trends, followers and fame. If you like an artist, support them.

7-How do you describe success as an artist?  Freedom. Spiritual, financial, emotional and physical freedom.

8- If you could live in a museum anywhere in the world which would it be?  El Museo de Arte de Ponce in Puerto Rico.

9-What do you dream about?  The future.

10-Do you have a routine when you arrive in your studio?  Usually I start my routine by working on something fun and loose. After an hour or so of that, I get started on the most tedious task necessary, whether it be replying to emails, cleaning or painting.

11-Do you listen to music or prefer to work in silence?  I listen to different kinds of music depending on what I am working on. If I’m painting something slowly and need a slower heart rate, I listen to nature sounds like birds, waterfalls and fire crackling. If I’m moving a lot in the studio, I’ll listen to a pop mix, reggaetón and alternative rock.

12-How do you decide when a painting is complete?  There’s a couple of ways I can tell a piece is done. When the story becomes clear enough for me and I’m able to explain it verbally. When I know I’ve risked ruining it in some way and when the image is not like anything I’ve made before, I’m trying something new.

13-Do you paint one canvas at a time or multiple?  Multiple. I get bored easily and my ADD brain is constantly jumping from one place to the other. This comes useful when I have multiple unfinished paintings staring at me in the studio.

14-Do you have a place/person/thing that you visit for inspiration?  My partner, Antonio. Anytime I work on something new, he’s the first person and sometimes the only person to give me feedback during the beginning stages. I value his input because he knows me and what I want out of my work. He pushes me to be better and spends time trying to understand everything I make. I also think a lot about Puerto Rico when I work, and how I can bring a bit of my island through whatever I’m making.

15-If you could have dinner with three artists living/dead who would be at your table?   Francisco Oller, Salvador Dalí and Louise Bourgeois.

16-Name three things you can’t live without in your studio?  There’s nothing I couldn’t live without. I consider myself a very resourceful person. No canvas? Use paper. No paint? Use a pencil. No studio? Use the bedroom. My practice has always revolved around working with what I have.

17-If you were asking the questions what question would you ask and please answer the question.

How could we make people excited to collect original art? By talking more about the work. Educating them about the value of art, not just financial value but the social value as well.

18-How would someone find you on Social media?  Instagram: @LDJNEGRON

19-Please name the first thing that comes to your mind while reading the following:

Art= STORY

Food= BACALAITOS

Sports= COMPETITION

Politics= SEPARATION

Poor= RICH MINDED

God= POWER

Rich= AMBITION

Luxury= TIME

Sex= UNION

Picasso= DEAD

Religion= SEPARATION