# Paola Lagunas

Paola Lagunas (also known by her artistic alias Arte por Lola) is a Chicana surrealist artist whose work is deeply influenced by her Mexican-American heritage and personal experiences. Known for using vibrant and mystical tones, Lagunas creates artwork that evokes emotions through the blending of colors and surreal imagery. Her unique perspective as an artist is shaped by her condition, Aphantasia, which affects her ability to visualize images in her mind. Instead, Lagunas uses color and form to express her emotions and cultural pride.

### Early Life and Influences

Lagunas was born in Michoacán, Mexico, and later moved to Idaho, Illinois. She grew up surrounded by art, as her mother owned a craft shop, which sparked Lagunas' early interest in artistic expression. Despite her passion for art, her journey to becoming an artist was not straightforward. After the death of her father and the subsequent closure of her mother's shop, Lagunas faced financial struggles that hindered her pursuit of formal education in the arts. She attempted to enroll at Mills College in the Bay Area, but financial barriers prevented her from continuing her studies.
Lagunas worked as a waitress while continuing to draw during breaks and at coffee shops, where she rediscovered her love for creating. During this time, she encountered Oakland's vibrant graffiti scene and connected with local Latina artists, whose work fueled her artistic passion. This exposure to other artists helped her refine her vision and rekindled her desire to pursue art professionally.

### Artistic Style and Themes

Lagunas’ artwork is heavily influenced by surrealism, with a strong focus on the female body and its natural form. Her pieces often feature portraits of women in unusual, dreamlike settings, merging organic elements like fruits and flowers with human figures. One standout work depicts a pomegranate and a female body merging into one, symbolizing the beauty of both nature and the human form. These surreal combinations represent the divine creations of nature, showcasing both feminine power and the intricate connection between humanity and the environment.
Color plays a significant role in Lagunas' work, particularly cool tones like purples and blues, which contribute to the mystical and emotional atmosphere of her pieces. Her use of color is not only a tool for evoking emotions but also a reflection of her Mexican and Latin American cultural heritage. Through her artwork, Lagunas expresses the vibrant landscapes, traditions, and spirit of her cultural background, making her work both personal and universally relatable.

### Aphantasia and Artistic Expression

An aspect of Lagunas' artistic process is her experience with Aphantasia, a condition that prevents her from visualizing images in her mind. Unlike most people who can mentally picture objects or scenes, Lagunas is unable to do so, and this has significantly influenced her approach to art. Instead of relying on mental imagery, she expresses emotions and experiences through the careful selection of colors and forms, which has led her to develop a unique and impactful visual language.
Her inability to visualize images is also reflected in her artistic style, where she emphasizes abstraction and emotive symbolism over representational accuracy. Through the use of color and surrealist techniques, Lagunas communicates the feelings and emotions that words cannot easily describe, allowing her audience to connect with her work on a deeply emotional level.

### Personal Life and Artistic Journey

Lagunas' path to becoming an artist was shaped by both personal and financial challenges. Despite these obstacles, she maintained her passion for art, constantly drawing inspiration from her environment, especially from the Latinx community and fellow artists. Her work continues to evolve, with her vibrant and emotive pieces gaining recognition for their unique ability to communicate complex emotions and cultural pride.

### Legacy and Impact

Paola Lagunas' work stands as a testament to the power of art as a means of personal expression and cultural pride. Her surrealist style, use of color, and exploration of the female form have earned her recognition within the Chicana and Latinx art communities. Her ability to create evocative, emotion-filled works despite the challenges posed by Aphantasia showcases her resilience and deep commitment to her artistic practice. Lagunas' art continues to inspire individuals, particularly women, to embrace their own identities and bodies with pride, fostering a sense of empowerment and appreciation for the beauty of the natural world.