Artist of the Week: Lila Page

Charli Johnson, Member of The Spark

Lila Page is a junior at Watauga High School where she is currently enrolled in Creative Writing II. Page’s love of writing has persisted ever since a young age when she and her younger brother would read and write stories together. 

“My brother and I used to read a lot together, and we would write stories, so writing has always been a part of my life!” said Page.

In 8th grade Page took her first creative writing class, and this only furthered her love for writing. As she explored the world of literature, horror and mysteries found a special place in her heart. Some of her biggest inspirations are Gothic writers such as Daphne du Maurier, known for her haunting, atmospheric writing and Ottessa Moshfegh, whose work Page admires for its ability to immerse readers deeply into the minds of complex, often troubled characters. Page also explores the Gothic world in other artistic forms besides her writing. 

“I got really into Victorian floriography a few years ago. Victorians would often send bouquets of flowers that conveyed hidden messages-- each flower has a particular meaning, but the meanings can be twisted based on what flowers are paired together,” said Page 

Page uses local flowers to create beautiful art that slowly transforms through the drying process. 

“My favorite bouquet was made of all-white flowers: foxglove, daisies, baby’s breath, Queen Anne’s lace, and elderflower. The bouquet was really full and vibrant when I first arranged it, and then it faded into a delicately drooping, bony arrangement that looks really haunting,” said Page.

As this young artist pursues her passions she continues to take creative writing classes to grow her talents, Page believes that everyone would benefit from taking these courses.

“Creative writing isn’t just a fun class; it also helps students build on their grammar and writing skills. I’ve found it to be really helpful on essays for AP classes. It allows you to write whatever you’re feeling or interested in without having the stricter parameters of English assignments,” said Page.

Outside of classes though Page hopes to one day publish her work. She wants to push beyond simple short stories as well.

“I would really like to publish some of my short stories or maybe some poetry," said Page. "I prefer to write short stories, but I think a novel or a screenplay would be interesting to write."

Yet even if Page branches out of her typical writing form, gothic horror and mystery will always be in her roots.

“I love writing horror and mystery because they are both such versatile genres," said Page. "I think people tend to think only of stereotypical monsters and tropes, but the genres are actually much more diverse.”