Tea for Creatives: Artist Lasua, Inspiration, Transformation & the Tao of Toto
George Herrick, the artist known as Lasua, paints the world he engages with in the same way he creates his art: Each piece is imbued with deep colors, textures, depth and shadow, often reflecting the richness of nature and the passion he has for all of life. “The moods, visions and symbols I paints are often reflective of my dreams, study of mythology, experiences in nature, and shamanic visions,” he says.
Shamanic visions are second nature to Lasua, which is an ancestral name that would have been George’s own last name if his grandfather had not been adopted and abandoned his Nipmuck tribal surname. “Using the name honors a lost piece of my heritage,” he says.
Lasua’s work has been exhibited in several museums in the U.S. and Asia, and has been carried by galleries throughout the country. His paintings are represented in the collections of Foxwoods Casino, Tucson Museum of Art, Lesley University, The Global Art Project, artist Peter Max, and the National Institute of Art in Taipei, Taiwan. His paintings and mixed media journals evoke the power and beauty that give meaning to life, and life to dreams. For the viewer, Lasua’s art is visual rift in the fabric of life, offering opportunity for both inspiration and transformation.
When he isn’t painting, George’s work as a life coach is dedicated to helping people create and achieve their life’s aspirations, to be the “artists” of their own lives. With clarity, insight and authenticity George helps people find a balance between their soul’s desire and the realities of modern life.
We are excited to share George’s insights on living an authentic, creative life—why he thinks we should be more like Toto from the Wizard of Oz—and his favorite way to enjoy tea, of course!
Define creativity. What does it mean to you?
To me, creativity is all about self-expression. Whether expressing something new or expressing something old in a new way, it is the practice of coming from the heart or mind [of the one creating], through the senses, to the heart and mind of another person.
Exhibited in the National Institute of Art, Taipei, Taiwan. Now in a private collection in Taiwan.
What unexpected directions has creativity/ being creative taken your life/career?
Being creative has led me to facilitating a fire ceremony in the Amazon with my shamanic mentors, don Agustin Rivas and Lorna Roberts, who had both been internationally-acclaimed artists prior to their healing work. Creativity led me to co-leading a training called “Painting from the Source” with the process’ creator, artist and author Aviva Gold. And, currently it has me in the midst of co-facilitating a remarkable 3-month virtual and live experience called The Wilderness Walk, a Journey from Fear to Freedom.
How do you navigate the creative process?
Poorly, while I’m in it! I get frustrated, sometimes a little ornery. I get creative blocks and have little patience for them. It is a challenging and sometimes painful process, yet it would never occur to me not to do it. So I navigate by following the process – stubbornly persistent, yet resistant and moody – until it leads me to a place where I find out why I was led there. Either a discovery about myself, relationship, life or the creative process itself.
Describe the biggest creative obstacle you’ve faced? How did you work through it?
In its own way, every piece has and is a marathon of obstacles. Creating a painting is like running a parkour course – you have no idea what blocks and hurdles and chasms are going to show up till they get there, and then you just have to react. It’s exhilarating and frustrating at the same time.
Journals by Lasua (George Herrick)
Who is your favorite creative figure? How have they inspired your creativity?
Too many to recall or name. I can be equally as inspired by a sleeping cat as by a giant in the arts! A few who come immediately to mind, though, are Paul Klee, Jackson Pollock, Steven Spielberg, Sonya Tayeh, Michael Jackson, Carlos Santana.
If you could choose one quote or theme song as your mantra, what would it be?
The Song? “The Story,” by Brandi Carlisle. Whether as artist singing to either the viewer or to the art, or as painting singing to either the artist or the viewer, it really nails the essence of what’s going on, of the relationship. The quote? I don’t know, maybe “I wonder what’ll happen if I do this?”
Do you have any rituals that sustain your creative process?
I always paint my canvases with black gesso first. White canvases scare me, this big expanse of blankness. But once I apply pigment in the form of black gesso, then the painting process has already begun. I’ve tricked myself into creative activity (even though I know I’m doing it). Also there is a richness that comes from drawing color out of the black that doesn’t occur when putting color into the white.
What character from a book or film best represents your philosophy on life and creativity?
Toto in The Wizard of Oz is maybe not THE character, but certainly near the top of my list. What does Toto teach? Show up. Follow where you’re led. Be the first out of the basket. Be brave. Run like hell when there’s reason to. Take in everything. Trust the ones who love you. It’s all about the timing. And on and on. Smart as Yoda without saying a word.
Describe your favorite teacup. Share a picture of it, if available.
In South America, I drank tea from a dried gourd – it’s common there. The gourd adds a pumpkin-y sweetness to the tea. I also had tea in a carved piece of soapstone – supposed to be just decorative, because the heat can crack the stone. The feel of that was very sensual.
Describe a favorite ritual for preparing tea.
I like to write a meditative word, like “peace,” “love,” or “create,” and put it under the cup. Then I imagine I’m drinking the word. I always wonder what sort of serendipity or synchronicity will show up in the minutes or hours after that.
What is your favorite Possibiliteas tea? Why?
I am dying to try Productivitea. The ingredients sound over-the-top flavorful, as well as stimulating and inspiring.
(Note to George: Productivitea is on its way to your mailbox!)
Anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
With my co-creator Suzanne Hanna I will be facilitating two Wilderness Walk Healing Journeys: A four-week mini-excursion focused on well-being and self-care that culminates in a retreat at Ojo Caliente in New Mexico, and an eight-week journey that culminates at a retreat center in Costa Rica. Our first Wilderness Walk Journey, which ends in Agugust with a retreat on the Sonoma coast of California, sold out!
View the artist’s portfolio at the FoxBat Studio website.
For information about Life and Creativity Coaching, contact George.
Visit George on Facebook
Tags: art, artist, coaching, creative minds, creative process, creativity, creativity coach, Creativity Coaching, George Herrick, inspiration, Lasua, life coach, metaphysical art, mixed media, painter, Possibiliteas, productivitea, shamanic art, shamanism, soul, spirituality and art, tea, tea for creatives, Toto, transformation, tribal artist
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