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

Hi Li, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
What inspires me? My answer today is so much different today than if I was asked 6 months ago. I am part of a collective of artists creating in the river arts district in Asheville. Like many others, our studio Trackside was partially destroyed during Hurricane Helene. My other studio was demolished during the storm. It was a life altering event for everyone in this region with varying degrees of tragedy and loss.

I personally lost 90% of my original art work and many more prints and equipment. Many artists were so overwhelmed they left the area permanently. What drove me to stay and fight to rebuild was the incredible efforts of everyone around me, coming together to rebuild. Ordinary people showing up every single morning with shovels, gloves, masks, generators, homemade lunches to help each other find hope. From huge impacts to simple, yet vital, hugs. I knew absolutely that we would not only survive but thrive again and become even stronger. That is what inspires me every single day, this community.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have always been an artist from childhood but like many had to find a way to make a living. I studied at the Pa. Academy of Fine Arts for one year before life and finances got in the way. Most of my life I worked in various forms of hospitality, from bartending to backcountry cook.

My art career has had many transformations throughout my life from years doing weekend markets as a silk painter on the west coast to experimenting with every possible medium settling down with acrylic painting and mosaics.. During the pandemic running out of materials, I started covering up my “not my favorite” paintings with anything and everything in my studio. Gleefully tearing up old books, magazines, maps, sheet music, photographs, even cloth, etc. and creating new messes on old paintings. After a few months these messes became more organized, more interesting, and a style was beginning to emerge.

Today I am primarily a collage artist with a very distinctive style. I essentially paint with paper. From a distance my pieces resemble impressionist paintings, closer inspection shows they are a paper mosaic of reclaimed images, colors, textures and text.

The most important thing I’ve learned throughout this journey is not to settle, esp. when you are succeeding. Take risks, switch mediums, get uncomfortable. You never know what door experimenting with the unknown will open.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Obviously my favorite place is the River Arts District. Currently it a disheveled and beat to hell after Helene but we have over 300 working artists still producing and we really need the visitors. Everyone should take the LaZoom comedy bus tour at least once. It’s just silly fun with a bit of local history thrown in. This town runs on independent small businesses and restaurants and there are so many great ones.

Sunset cocktails- Capella on 9 is probably as close to a NYC-style rooftop lounge you can get in Asheville.
As a vegetarian, Plant is Food is my favorite restaurant. It is small and intimate with sophisticated and inventive vegan cuisine. Yum.

Outdoors is tricky right now with so many downed trees and closed trails. The WNC Arboretum recently reopened and they are working diligently to clear more trails.. The WNC Nature Center took a few hits from the storm but they also just reopened. Who doesn’t get happy while visiting red pandas and wolf pups? It’s good for the soul to wander in nature.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Most definitely the leaders of my two galleries Julie Bell, Michael Campbell from Trackside Studios and Reid Dawson and Jordan Moodie from Foundation Studios. Reid gave me my first exhibition space in the River Arts district. He built his space from mere studio walls into a community gathering spot with music, classes, community gathering and always with a smile and open heart.

Trackside owners and artists became not only associates but mentors and trusted friends. We held each other together after the hurricane. I cannot imagine not having them in my life.

Website: www.linewtonfinearts.com

Instagram: @li.newton

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/li.newton

Other: https://www.tracksidestudios.com

https://bsky.app/profile/linewtonart.bsky.social

Image Credits
Li Newton
Josh Nivens

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