A View From the Easel

"I start with sunlight whenever possible: stretching, reading, and sitting outside even in the cold. If there's no sun, I sit by a white lamp. My most productive hands-on hours are late morning to early afternoon. Before working, I enter a meditative state by dancing or singing karaoke, which centers my breath and body."

"I use my entire body when painting, so I need to align it with my mind beforehand. I chose my studio because it opens onto a garden, where I regularly observe squirrels, birds, and seasonal changes. Nature is a constant presence and returns directly in my work."

"The studio itself is highly flexible: Walls shift between photographic and open working surfaces, and furniture moves freely. This adaptability allows the work to change direction without resistance. The space has supported ambitious projects, including a 28-foot painting installed across three walls, titled "The Big Rip," which is about the moment when the universe begins to collapse."

Lusmerlin Lantigua maintains studios in Maryland and Philadelphia, beginning each day with sunlight, stretching, and reading. Most productive work occurs late morning through early afternoon. Before painting, Lantigua enters a meditative state through dancing or singing kakaoke to center breath and body, recognizing that physical alignment is essential since the entire body engages in the painting process. The Maryland studio opens onto a garden where observation of wildlife and seasonal changes directly informs the work. The space features flexible walls and movable furniture, enabling ambitious projects like a 28-foot painting titled "The Big Rip" exploring universal collapse. Lantigua maintains deep community connections within the neighborhood.

Read at Hyperallergic