Today we’d like to introduce you to Laurae
Hi Laurae, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hi, my name is Laurae and I am an abstract artist based in San Antonio, Texas. I always knew I would spend my career creatively and tried a few things before landing on an artist. I went to school at the Art Institute of San Antonio, switching my major from Film to Photography but throughout college I knew photography was not for me and I found myself drawing a lot more like I would when I was younger. I was then inspired to give back to my friend Anabel (owner of Bellaboo Blooms) because she has always been so supportive, so I created a painting for her and since then I have not stopped painting, I love it! The first time I showed my work was at an RAW Artist’s event, at this point I didn’t have a certain style but as I created more, I found my signature look. Fast forward to today, I have had a solo art show and shared my work in businesses and art shows throughout San Antonio as well as being involved with the local community to support and I also attend vendor pop-ups to connect and present my art prints. Between that time, I have always worked full time, balancing work and my artist life, making sure to stay creating, showing up on social media and being ready for any events that I may come across. I still have goals to accomplish like doing art full time but as the years have progressed, I have connected with more people and been able to showcase my work consistently. I know it’s only a matter of time.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not, my biggest struggle has been with my mental state to make sure I remain, productive, confident, persistent, and disciplined while being gentle and patient with myself. At the beginning of my journey, there was a lot of momentum and positivity, as time progresses and you haven’t reached your goal yet, it can be discouraging but you can’t give up.
Balancing a full time job, two dogs and my creative endeavors has been difficult knowing I spend a majority of my days partially unfulfilled but also understanding that this is what I need to do until I can do what I want to do. At one point I was let go from my job and that also was a struggle because I had to move my whole apartment into a one bedroom (literally speaking) with my dogs and had no where to create or no money to create.
I personally like to have a sense of stability and therefore, this is why I continue to maintain a work, art, life balance until I can go full-time.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m known for creating art, having art prints and showing up in the local community for events and attending vendor pop-ups, also my online presence. I am an abstract artist, I specialize in creating line paintings with acrylic, oil, paint markers and occasionally plaster. Majority of my work remains black and white with a touch of gold and lately, I’ve been dabbling more into vibrant colors. I create paintings based off emotion, life placement and wanting the viewer to be left in thought. I’m most proud of being consistent, and having the opportunity within the last two years to showcase my work more throughout the city, and for having a solo art show back in Nov.2023 at The Carver Community Cultural Center. I think what sets me apart is remaining consistent and that I show up on social media, documenting my process and sharing what I am currently working on and announcing the events or prints I am having. I believe this allows people to feel inspired and encourages them to continue their goals as an artist but I believe this because of the amount of people who have expressed themselves to me.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
I remember moving downtown right before Covid to begin vendor pop-ups for the first time but that never happened until years later. Covid-19 was an interesting time and as the world seemed to feel at a halt, my personal life did not, I still went to work and continued to create. During that time was when I found my personal style of art.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lauraexlauren.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artist.laurae/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555180660546
