Conversations with Laura Hughes

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Hughes.

Hi Laura, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I remember obsessively drawing horses as a child. My artistic interests were rewarded in grade school with special projects like doing holiday themed artwork across the double blackboards each Christmas. When I went to college I thought I was going to study computer science as my father knew that would be a solid career, however, as much as I enjoy working on the computer I quickly chose to major in art instead. I concentrated in sculpture because I loved the physicality of 3-dimensional works. After college, I was able to move into graphic design and tie computers with art. I have continued to work as a graphic designer to this day but 10 years ago began to experiment with painting, returning more directly to my fine arts education. When I began to paint I quickly reclaimed horses as a subject. I think my interest in their monumentality reflects back to my love of the physicality of sculpture. Both my equine and my abstract works tend to be large, textural, and dramatic.

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?
I think my professional career developed as a logical and natural progression. I’ve never been one to think struggle was a necessary part of being an artist although I do think painting is harder than graphic design work. Painting is more unpredictable and in almost every work there are periods where the fear of the unknown is strong so my artistic struggles are actually more intense now.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
When I paint I’m attempting to use my accumulative skills to make something beautiful. Beauty isn’t the same as prettiness, although pretty also requires skill. For me, beauty is deeper and must contain chaos, decay, and imperfection. What looks intuitive and spontaneous in my work actually starts with a fairly tight plan. I create a computer “sketch” so that I don’t have to think too much during the initial painting process. I’m an unapologetic copyist. I steal brush strokes, colors, shapes, and techniques from other paintings to build my sketches. I use that digital guide as long as it doesn’t feel constrictive, I’m not just executing a plan, every step of the process is open to new inspiration. I’m a materialist at heart, I love to see what the paint wants to do and let it have a say in what finally shows up!

What does success mean to you?
In a non-materialistic way I like the success of sales. I think there are many many lovely reasons to create art, there is personal expression, there is a meditative component, there is pleasure in creating with your hands, but as a professional I can’t help but be excited when someone wants to own my work. Capturing the heart and mind of the viewer isn’t shallow, when something works I think it is hitting on something universal. What makes a painting desirable is beauty which is not the same thing as prettiness. Pretty is boring. Selling something that I personally loved making, that is a bit challenge for the viewer, that is the sweet spot.

Pricing:

• $1000 – $5000

Contact Info:

• Email: Laurahughes@mindspring.com
• Website: LauraHughesPaintings.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraberendsenpaintings/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraBerendsenPaintings