I am incredibly lucky to call Alicia Maynard a friend. I was initially drawn to her work as a makeup artist, and as I got to know her better, realized she is definitely a multi-faceted artist! She loves to experiment with different mediums, and is amazing with them all. Alicia never ceases to amaze me, and I believe I tell her that every time I see her work!
Alicia attended Nossi College of Art in Nashville years back, and moved seamlessly into training in the art of cosmetics while working with MAC. Her portrait painting evolved later, after being advised to use creative expression as therapy while going through a painful life change. As you'll see from her work here, Alicia was wise in listening and applying that piece of advice.
Alicia and her husband, Travis, own Lime Tiger Emporium in Murfreesboro, TN, where Alicia teaches makeup classes, and is planning to offer all-ages and adult-only art classes soon! They have a Halloween party coming up in the shop on Friday, October 24. What a great opportunity to see the shop and meet Alicia and Travis!
What does Creativity mean to you?
Thinking outside the box. Taking ideas (or portions of ideas) and trying to find the farthest thing from them, then trying to mesh them together in a new way. I’m constantly trying to fit wild things together - the end goal always being to see something I’ve never seen before.
Embody Your Muse - Alicia Maynard - Bohemian Gothic, Man
How do you expand yourself creatively?
I want to try everything! I watch other artists and think, “I want to do that!” I never think, “Oh I could never…” Sometimes I end up finishing projects begrudgingly with the intention of never doing that again. But usually I just mentally add it to my arsenal of services.
Were you creative as a child? If so, how have you evolved through the years? Did anyone encourage you, especially?
Oh, YES. My poor mother… I declared myself an eternal artist when I was three. I can’t remember an age that I didn’t beg my parents to wear makeup. As a rebellious teen, it was piercings and LOUD clothing. Now I’m just as loud, being an artist. I guess there hasn’t been much evolution, just expansion. But bless my mother, all she ever said (career-wise) was, “You can be whatever you want to be.”
What inspires you most?
Right now, the Dalai Lama (so cliche!). My daughters. My husband is my muse. If I can impress him artistically, I win.
What turns you on creatively?
Fashion. Makeup, hair, and the whole fashion industry is my main focus of visual inspiration. It gives me butterflies.
Embody Your Muse - Alicia Maynard - Bellydancer
Do you have any gratefulness practices?
Oooh! Good question! Currently, I am learning yoga and meditation. And I try to view anything that hurts or is uncomfortable, from a compassionate standpoint. It makes it stop hurting every time.
Do you daydream often? If so, does it inform your work?
No, I do not. My almost-2-year-old forbids it.
How does a relationship and/or children affect your creativity?
They inspire me into overdrive, but they consume much of my time to work it out.
Is there a Creative, past or present, that you would give just about anything to work with? Who, and why?
Salvador Dali. Because no one’s head was a deeper rabbit-hole, in my opinion.
Embody Your Muse - Alicia Maynard - Bill Murray
How do you care for yourself to ensure you’re available when ideas present themselves?
Yep, that doesn’t happen. I’ve learned to hold on to it. If an idea inspires me in the middle of the night, the night before I have something going on (whether it be a child’s doctor appointment or Christmas), I mentally schedule it for my next available time. Then I get all excited and stew in it! I dream about it until it’s so planned out that when I start, I hit the ground running.
How do you balance life and art effectively? Or, do you?
I have made it my life’s work. I steer my creativity into works for others for money. It’s my job.
How do you deal with creative dry spells? Do you make space for them, or push through?
I don’t really have them.
How do you deal with change, especially when it comes to creative mediums and passion?
“YAAAY!!!” I love new things, new ways, new places. I love challenging myself to do great things with less stuff.
Embody Your Muse - Alicia Maynard - Untitled
How does criticism affect you?
It depends on whether I agree with it. If I don’t, it’s completely invalid. If I do, it’s debilitating.
Has your work ever been copied? If so, how did you deal with it?
Eh, it’s flattering. Then I usually lose interest in whatever it is altogether.
Do you have any other mediums you use to express yourself creatively?
Anything I can get my hands on. Lately I have been tossing music around in my head!
Do you enjoy collaborating, or prefer to work alone?
Collab!
Embody Your Muse - Alicia Maynard - Bitches Love Stitches
Do you work in a studio/space designed specifically for your creativity, or on the spur of the moment/anywhere inspiration strikes?
I am fortunate enough to have a studio now, but with the baby, I work just as much at home, on the couch, porch, bed, anywhere.
Is it important for you to have a creative, inspiring environment?
No.
Do you plan thoroughly for projects, or go with the flow?
Both. I plan it to about 75-80%, then I let the end result go.
Do you have a preferred way of cataloguing ideas?
My name is Alicia, and I’m a Pinterest-aholic.
Embody Your Muse - Alicia Maynard - Sex & The Church
Do you utilize social media? If so, how?
Yes. Facebook is where I get most of my work. I also use Instagram.
What is your typical day like?
Typically, we wake around 7:30, snuggle with the baby, and make coffee. I do yoga for about 20 minutes, if I have time. We take the stroller (and our two older girls if they’re out of school) and walk to the Greenway. We walk about an hour, in any temperature. We get ready and normally Travis goes to the studio at 10. I stay at home with the baby (working like a crazy person, getting nothing done). I make lunch. I put the baby down for a nap at 1:30, then he comes home and I go to the studio. I work on whatever until we close at 5. I go home and we usually do something as a family (go to the park/museum/for a walk). Normally I start dinner (sometimes I’m not the cook), we eat as a family, and then the bedtime routine begins. It ends around 8:30, and we try to work for another hour before having our own bedtime routine (mine consists of dark chocolate and Craig Ferguson) until sleep comes.
Do you have any rituals that help to set your creative time and/or space?
No. Just being prepared. If I’m painting, I want all the paint colors I will need. I want my brushes, my little cup of water, etc., because like I said, I hit the ground running.
Embody Your Muse - Alicia Maynard - Louis CK
Does spirituality and/or culture play a role in your creativity?
Sure. Nothing is off limits.
Do you believe art can change the world? If so, how?
I’m still asking myself this question every day. How? How? How?
Do you believe that connecting with your creativity, or helping others to do so, can positively affect the world? If so, how?
Oh yes. Someone told me recently that expressing yourself through words or music can be fleeting. “Nothing lasts like a picture.”
Are you active in your local art community? If so, how do you help and support each other?
I try to be! The baby “frowns on” socializing.
Do you surround yourself on a daily basis with creative, inspiring people?
My husband is the most creative person I’ve ever met, and our space is heavily art-inspiring. Most of my friends are creative, and the ones who aren’t are spiritually-inspiring.
Embody Your Muse - Alicia Maynard - Justice
What effect do you want your art to have on the world?
On a small scale, I love inspiring others - to create, to feel better, to give hope. On a large scale, I’m still figuring it out.
What music, if any, plays while you work? What are you listening to at this very moment?
Nothing right now, but my favorite music to work to is ambient groove (Zero 7, Kruder & Dorfmeister, Boards of Canada) or reggae (I can only listen to it in warmer months. It makes me want to throw things in the winter!).
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
My father once told me that he always believed he could do anything anybody else could do. He said, “I have two arms, two legs, two eyes, and if anybody else has ever done it, so can I. I’ll get a book, I’ll figure it out, and dammit, I’ll get it done!” I’m just like him.
Do you have any advice for aspiring creatives?
Fear doesn’t apply here. You can always paint over it. Who’s to say what”s “good”? Just go! Just do something! Hide it in your closet when you”re finished, who cares? It feels so good to do it, to get it out, to practice.
Embody Your Muse - Alicia Maynard - Honeysuckle
Do you have any upcoming projects/collections to share?
I’m styling my first wedding this November! I’ve never been in charge of the whole look of someone else’s event. I’m making all the flowers out of paper!
Where can we find your art?
Lime Tiger Emporium, 619 N. Maple St., Murfreesboro, TN or on facebook! Lime Tiger Emporium has a Halloween party on Friday, October 24.