Sarah Spohn
Lansing is home to many things, and for these creatives, it’s the place that inspires them to make art. Here are a few Lansing artists whose work you’ve probably seen around town. From concert posters to larger-than-life portraits and murals, meet some of the hottest creatives in your community.
How do you start a new illustration?
Craig Horkey: Most of my work starts with a brush on paper. It’s usually scanned into the computer, where I use a combination of Photoshop and Illustrator to add texture and separate colors. Most of my freelance work ends up screen printed on clothing or in poster form. I like working in the screen printing world because limitations encourage creative solutions.
Are there recurring themes and styles in your work?
Bold line, minimal colors, lots of cute girls and mutant cats.
How long have you been a professional artist?
I have always been drawing and creating for as long as I can remember, but I started making money in the early 2000s. What is the Picasso quote? “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” I’ve often been accused of never growing up. I’ve had several bounce houses and ball fields in my adult life, so I guess I can’t argue that fact.
While you may not have grown up entirely, has your style evolved?
I’d like to think I’ve improved. I’ve definitely developed a more recognizable style. I firmly believe that talent is a myth and that all art is the result of learned skills. The more time you spend on it, the more you will improve.
Do you also have a day job?
Graphic design for a bank. In the evenings and weekends, I do freelance illustrations for bands, record labels, magazines, beer labels and more. I have a very messy “art room” in the back of the house, but I also do a lot of drawing sitting on the living room floor. I have about half a dozen freelance jobs or commissions almost all the time.
Who are your biggest artistic influences?
My biggest influences are Charles Burns, Alphonse Mucha, Raymond Pettibon and John James Audubon. The world of “flat” screenprinted posters is full of contemporary artists that I am happy to count as influences and friends.
Where do you look for inspiration?
Nature, animals, my friends, fashion, ephemera, music, junk shops and the absurdity of everyday life.
Does your work have a mission behind it?
Every day I’m less and less sure that anything has a purpose, and I definitely don’t have a mission. I think a mission requires some forethought or planning, and if you ask anyone who knows me, they’ll tell you I’m incapable of planning ahead. I just want to do things.
Any recent exhibitions?
The last exhibition I was in at the gallery was a few years ago. I did a show with Jason Smith in Hamtramck. Since then, I’ve had a few pieces in group shows, but this was the last big one. But I almost always have some signs promoting shows up at places like The Avenue here in Lansing, and there’s usually some of my stuff up at the Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids.
As a musician, you are very involved in the music scene. Do you feel as connected to the Lansing arts community?
I’m not as aware of what’s going on in the Lansing art scene as I’d like. The nature of my work tends to make me feel more like a part of the music scene. I know there are people out there doing shit. Some names that come to mind in the Lansing area are Sean Peters, Dane Vermeulen, Harley Zeke and Austin Pardun. Batwing Designs does some radical things. I definitely forgot about people, but I’ve had a lot of concussions and my memory hurts, so that was bound to happen.
Craig Horkey
illustrator
Native of Blissfield, 42,
resident of Lansing
Instagram: @craighorky
craighorky.com
How would you describe your art
Kylee Carter: Dreamer, storyteller, raw, daring and modern.
What styles of photography do you prefer to shoot?
I work mainly in portrait, editorial and lifestyle photography. I love capturing close-up beauty shots and high fashion editorial shots that you would see in magazines. I began my journey in the art of photography officially in April 2021. During the onset of the pandemic and social issues affecting our country and the city of Lansing, I needed an outlet to find beauty in what it looked like complete chaos and I started creating and shooting with my friends, and boom. Lost Girl Vision was created.
Are you inspired by other artists?
One of my biggest influences is Sasha Samsonova, an extremely creative Ukrainian photographer and director in Los Angeles. Its sensual and elegant aesthetic captures the essence of bad mood and timeless beauty. I’ve followed her work for quite some time, and she’s a superb artist with a great eye for storytelling. My work is forever inspired by Samsonova, in which I want each photo to create a beautiful and engaging narrative.
Cinematography is also a great outside source of inspiration for me. I will be inspired by a TV series, a movie or a music video. One of my recent photo shoots was inspired by the Hype Williams movie “Belly” and the movie “Friday”.
Is there a mission behind your work?
Create and tell stories through photo storytelling. I want to tell the raw and captivating stories of underrepresented people, such as Black women, BIPOC, and the LGBTQ+ communities. Everyone has a story inside that is waiting to be told.
Has your style changed over time?
I’ve recently started shooting a little differently and I’m using a trick with my camera lens to create a dreamy, blurry element to my photos, and I’m living for it. I feel like it’s making the stories I’m trying to tell pop.
Any plans for the near future?
Next for me would be to advance my career in photography and submit my work to be published in magazines, asking brands to create editorial content. I would also love to put my photography in some sort of exhibition or gallery.
What is your impression of the Greater Lansing art scene?
The art scene is evolving and making a name for itself in Lansing. There are so many talented artists here that are emerging and making a name for themselves, and I am forever in awe of the art that comes out of our city. My role within the local arts community is to continue telling the stories of the underrepresented, and hopefully soon, on a larger scale.
Kylee Carter
photographer
Leslie native, 30 years old,
resident of Lansing
Instagram: @lostgirlvision
lostgirlvision.com
What paints do you prefer to use?
Mila Lynn: I currently work mainly with acrylic and latex paint. I’ve started doing mostly mural work on interior walls, so these are the materials I use. I’m learning more about working with spray paint and incorporating it where I can. However, I tend to go through phases of different media to avoid becoming jaded by my craft.
How would you describe your work?
Many of my artworks are very different, but I would say they are colorful with a bit of satirical, comedic and playful elements. I always say that my mission as an artist is to do one of three things: inspire, uplift, or educate those around me.
You’re a full-time artist now, but how did you get started?
Professionally, I held my first solo show in Tampa in 2019. I began focusing on art as a possible career in the fall and winter of 2018. My first art-related job was as a cartoonist at Busch Gardens.
Are you inspired by other visual artists? If not, what does it do?
Life. I use my art as a means to process what is happening around me. I wouldn’t say I’m inspired by the work of visual artists. I admire many artists, but I don’t look at works of art and feel inspired to create. However, I am very influenced by musicians and singers. I like to listen to artists like Noname, Amy Winehouse, Tupac and FKJ when I’m in the studio.
Are there specific times you prefer? to create?
I believe whenever I am inspired or when duty calls. As a working artist, sometimes you have to force yourself to create around other people’s schedules. However, more times than not, I’ve been up late.
Looking back, has your work changed over the years?
I think I’ve become more confident as an artist in general. My intentional use of color has developed more over the past few years.
What is your most recent exhibition work?
Every year I have a show during the month of October for the Inktober project. I try to limit my exposures so they can affect my community. My most recent completed project was a mural in Grand Rapids on a two-story building. I want to do a few more murals before the end of the year and show my work in another city. My biggest project will be the Ink22 Show this October.
What is it like to be a working artist in Lansing?
The local art community is very small and poorly paid. This is my main reason for working out of town and with private clients. Lansing is slowly learning to properly embrace its arts community. That said, there are a lot of very talented creatives here. I just hope they don’t all go away. I’m your everyday creative, taking on the world with my brush and spicy personality.
Mila Lynn
Painter
Lansing resident, 27
Instagram: @mindofmila
mindofmila.com
