Today we’d like to introduce you to Victoria Langford
Hi Victoria, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been drawing from as early as I can remember. I’m an only child, so it was a great way for my mom to keep me occupied at meals with adults. She would carry a huge bag of crayons in her purse, and I would draw on paper placemats at restaurants. Disney came out with their golden age of animated films when I was young, so I drew hundreds of Princess Jasmine, the Lion King, and Pocahontas.
I’d work with any medium—pencil, pen, pastel, watercolor—but fell in love with oil paint and took a weekly class in middle and high school. I liked painting realistic renders of popular things, like the Titanic from the movie, Harry Potter, Frodo….nerd alert!
I didn’t think studying fine art would yield any sort of career, so I majored in Art History at the University of Michigan. However, over time I craved being the artist more than a curator for another’s art.
I am also a musician, so I moved to New York City after college, figuring that it was the best place for my skill set. Through a long and winding road, I became a graphic designer. This was a very different field than fine art, but there was so much work, and I really enjoyed creating succinct brands, posters, working with type, and communicating effectively.
Through a variety of family events, I ended up spending more and more time down here in Florida. Last fall I discovered the Boca Raton Museum Art School, so I signed up for an oil painting class for the first time since high school. Returning to oil painting felt truly right. I started with still lives, then got into plein air. Now, one year later, I am displaying my artwork in galleries locally, and generating a more robust collection of original work. I’ve loved how people in South Florida have resonated with my work when I’m painting outside—it’s been such a great way to get to know the community. I’m working hard right now to generate paintings, and I can’t wait to see how the road unfolds.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been a rocky road. I moved to NYC the week the financial system crashed, so getting a job became nigh impossible. I did not pursue art out of the gate, but tried other professions: book publishing, restaurant management, then I miraculously received a graphic design opportunity. Over time, I scaled back to pursue being a musician, singer, and songwriter. I experienced abuse on several occasions in my adult life, lost my father during COVID while I was living in NYC, then ultimately came to Florida full time to help care for my mother. While the journey has been underscored by trauma and difficulty, I am grateful to be on a path now that feels positive and lasting. Painting was always a hobby, so experiencing new professional opportunities simply doing something I love feels like such a blessing.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an oil painter and graphic designer. I’d say I’m known for painting realistically. Here in Florida, I am focusing on painting plein air, still lives, and recently embarked on some new large, abstract projects. I’m proud of painting things and hearing people say, “Wow, that looks real!”
Within graphic design, I love doing branding materials or screen printed illustrations for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Presenting oneself in an elegant, succinct, and consistent way can really do wonders for how people perceive you and your services. In New York, with the focus on graphic design, I am most proud of the work I do for the Metropolitan Music Community. We started as a small community band in 2008, and I started creating their graphic design shortly thereafter, and we grew together as they became a large nonprofit organization. My favorite aspect is cultivating a unique poster and program aesthetic for each concert, based on the musical program. As a musician and artist, it feels like such a sweet spot to work in this way, like the movie Fantasia.
What sets me apart from others is the sheer amount of skills I am well versed in. I can draw, paint, brand, typeset, etc. Last year I created an oil painting, which I then used for the MMC’s spring concert program. You don’t have to outsource with me—I provide many artistic services!
I always try to incorporate hand drawn elements into my work, which also makes me unique. I prefer drawing and scanning to the computer much more than drawing digitally. I love delivering people a timeless, and quality product uniquely tailored to them.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
In addition to being a musician, I am a certified yoga instructor and dedicated Christian. Through the difficulty of life in NYC, which was very humbling, I accepted Jesus into my life. I’d encourage anyone to be open to him—it might be different than you think or have previously experienced. A life as an artist can be very challenging because one puts their emotional self into the work, and too often the world does not notice, or want to compensate financially. My faith has kept me grounded through the ups and downs, and reminds me that I (and you) are not what we produce. Our identities are secure in Jesus, and my artwork is a gift given to me to share with the world.
Incorporating yoga instruction into the mix has been an excellent physical as well as creative outlet. I’m the sort of person that operates best when there are many different activities in the works. Somehow, it makes all of them better, and I never get bored!
I also have a socio-political blog called The Weekly Monocle, and I periodically publish thought pieces there.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.victorialangfordart.com
- Instagram: @victorialangford.art
Image Credits
Franccesca Canales
