Meet Perri Lawler | Watercolor Artist, Art Gallery Owner, Art Curator, Instructor, & Community Activist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Perri Lawler and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Perri, how do you think about risk?
When it comes to risks, I think that they are necessary to take in almost all aspects of life but especially when it comes to growing. I believe that taking risks in my life has been a beneficial step towards growth within myself, my career, and my artistry. Change is not something that’s easy to adapt to, it’s sometimes difficult and challenging to accept change. But, taking risks can be an easy way to make a calculated decision that supports our change and catapults our growth. It’s always going to be a beautiful and rewarding outcome in the end when I take risks. Ultimately, the risks I’ve taken within my career and artistry have landed me in the exact spots I needed to be in as well as given me opportunities to grow into the human I am today. Take more risks in life and you’ll truly become more successful.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My experience as an artist and creative has always closely followed my life as well as it’s ups, downs and in betweens. It all truly started with my mother who is an artist, and growing up I always saw her using her beautiful brown hands to express a feeling, thought or idea. She inspired me to create more than just simple things, more than what is plain. My mother taught me to be me through art, and she taught me to create more than art. She taught me, showed me, and inspired me to create with my heart and that meant to put my love into art. Of course, I never thought that once I tried creating for myself that it would come so easy to me but somehow it always felt right. Painting, drawing and creating a story in my mind then again on paper was always how I found release in my sorrows, happiness, and other experiences. Traditionally, I created the most when I was the happiest and created my most profound works when I was extremely sad. Art for me is just like cooking because, when you put your heart in it, is when it comes out the best. But, I also noticed that when I put my heart into my creations is when others also feel it the most. At some point in my artistic journey I began to notice that my art pieces began to be messages to myself. I would create something that felt pointless in that moment but then years would pass and I’d come back to that same piece and it had so much more meaning. Sharing those pieces became a beautiful way of opening my heart to loved ones, my community, and even strangers. While creating a strong community within the creative realm of Los Angeles, I began to find a strong calling to community work. Within some time I became involved with the nonprofit Peace of Mind in Compton and worked as their Art Curator & Director for 3 years. Within that time, I created and produced art workshops, classes, events and galleries for the black and brown community in Compton and South LA. My love for art transcended into my love for local community artists and helping them showcase their works. In 2022, I became the Program Art Director for Black in Mayberry a nonprofit organization focused on ending racism within the arts. We created Still Waters an art therapy program for the black & brown community in Los Angeles to help combat the pressures and stress of society and allow art to heal and promote emotional and mental well-being. These organizations have allowed me to truly appreciate, understand, and support my people and community in a unique and artistic light. I’m forever grateful for my journey as an artist and creative, and I know that there’s so much more for me to give and experience. Fast forward to this year and I currently am the creator and founder of Perri + Ren Gallery in Lincoln Heights. We recently just ended our first art exhibition and working on our second exhibition for opening in June. My creative partner and I joined forces and created this space to give back to our community, to uplift black and brown artists, to create a safe space for everyone to come together and be their authentic selves. We showcase different artists located here in Los Angeles, and give them an opportunity to be featured in our gallery because we know these opportunities are not given to us equally. I want my legacy and story to be known as a radiating love that touches communities everywhere. Because I know that smiling at the world, will keep the world smiling back and giving love to the world will keep the world loving.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If my best friend was visiting for a week, then I’d have to show her a great time and give her the Perri experience. We would eat at my favorite places like Met Him at a Bar, Alta Adams, and The Fig! We’d have to go to a wine bar, my favorite is Melody or 1010 Wines. The entire week would be filled with my favorite activities like hiking, beaches, and waterfalls! One of my favorite hikes is in Griffith Park it’s called FernDell Drive and we’d definitely take the side trails to get some great views and quiet time away from the more popular main trails. My favorite beach would be Bruce’s Beach in Manhattan Beach, it has the cutest park on the boardwalk with scenic views! But also if we wanted to be on the sand a take a dip then we can easily go in. My second favorite beach is Thousand Steps in Laguna Beach which is farther out but so worth it! But to catch the perfect Sunday sunset at the beach we would go to the Topanga Lookout where we can see the full horizon from East to west! I would have to take my bestie out dancing as well and a favorite spot of mine to go to is the Continental Club, which also has Jazz Wednesdays. It’s the perfect spot for an intimate underground experience. Saving the best activities for last, my favorite art galleries and museums to go would be, my very own, Perri+Ren Gallery in Lincoln Heights. Then we would go to the Broad art museum to check out some gorgeous installations by famous artists.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to Shoutout my business partner and friend, Mariah “Ren” Hale. This amazing individual has been one of my biggest supporters, believers, and friends. They’ve given me so much love, encouragement, and most importantly trust! I’ve never felt so uplifted by one person, and I’m so thankful for their presence in my journey.

Website: https://linktr.ee/perridanielle

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perridanielle?igsh=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lawlerperri?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Other: https://www.instagram.com/perriandren?igsh=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg==