Lian Sever

As an artist, I am deeply drawn to storytelling. My work blends memories from my youth, sparks of pop culture, and the everyday moments I experience as a parent and an individual. When I'm not busy with my kids, you'll often find me barefoot in my home studio, sipping coffee, listening to a podcast, and surrounded by houseplants, with my dog Ziggy at my feet. It’s in these quiet, reflective moments that I escape into my imagination, daydreaming and painting the stories that rise from within.
At the core of my artistic practice is a lifelong fascination with people. I have always been a keen observer—ever since I was a child, I was often told that I was staring at others, but really, I was studying them. I was absorbing their features, emotions, and the little nuances that made them who they were. I would imagine their stories: where they lived, how they reacted to the world, and what they desired. This curiosity about people, about what lies beneath the surface, has been a constant thread throughout my life and is one of the driving forces behind my portrait work. I think my desire to paint portraits stems from this early activity—an instinctive need to capture the essence of someone.
My art often channels the nostalgia of my youth, drawing from the characters, moments, and influences that have shaped me. The figures I paint often emerge from the quiet observations I’ve made throughout my life—people who have left an impression on me, or moments I wish to hold onto forever. These figures are sometimes inspired by real people, but often they are a blend of imagined stories, shaped by my own experiences and memories.
Through my portraits, I aim to explore the complexity and beauty of human emotion, capturing the quiet vulnerability, strength, and desire that make us who we are. Each piece invites the viewer to step into a moment, to pause and reflect, and perhaps to recognize something of themselves in the story being told.
Ultimately, my work is an invitation to connect—to share in the nostalgia, to celebrate the characters who have shaped me, and to find a shared humanity in the stories that live within us all.

Contact

www.liansever.com
Studio@liansever.com
@lianseverart

Interview

If you catch me staring at you, don't be freaked out. I'm probably imagining how I could use what I am seeing in a painting.
I really am inspired by the nuanced features of people, and that, mixed with my wild imagination, is what brings the desire to paint into my studio.


I seek to capture the beauty of human features with a strong emphasis on the dramatic.
That may be in the form of a striking gaze, graphic elements, or bold color choices. I guess I'm a bit dramatic, and I want to share that in my work.


This sounds like a trick question; you are assuming that I am focused.
I suppose my passion for the process is what keeps my motor running, but sometimes that motor will run by working on multiple pieces at once, and to an outsider, it might look a bit chaotic. I am constantly seeking references, creating notes, and sketches to feed my drive to create.


When I was a child, my mom always told me that "for every pot, there is a lid."
This is in reference to relationships and how everyone can find their match. That is how I view finding the audience that will respond to my work. I just keep churning out work, and deep down I remind myself that my people will find me.


I hope that my art gives people connection, not just to the painting but to each other.
I want my paintings to be like guests at a party. They are conversation starters, and that can build memorable human connections.