Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Ashley.
Hi Laura, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am a live event artist, sometimes known as a “speed painter”. I was born and raised in Asheboro, North Carolina, and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a degree in studio art. Immediately after college, I worked as a part-time artist at a “Paint and Sip” studio, where I later purchased my own studio while teaching high school art.
After five years of teaching and running a studio full-time, I decided to focus solely on running my studio. Then a year later Covid hit- I didn’t want to wipe out my team just to pay myself and fear burning out, so I decided to paint at weddings to make a salary for myself so the business could continue as usual.
Painting at weddings was nice but then Richard Petty let me paint at one of his events and I immediately fell in love with speed and performance painting and raising money for charity. Now I don’t want to do anything else, for once!
Over the past three years, I have been commissioned to perform my live, speed, and performance painting at a variety of events and venues, including birthdays, concerts, conferences, conventions, retreats, business anniversaries and milestones, product launches, etc., my favorite has been at NASCAR races in which my art helped to raise money for local charities. Now I travel throughout the south, participating in fundraising events for groups like the Petty Family Foundation, Jeep Beach, and the Moonshiners.
I have truly fallen in love with creating live speed paintings for charities. It has been such a blessing to be able to do what I love and, at the same time, help to sustain a number of worthy charitable organizations that I’ve become involved with.
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?
I’ve faced many obstacles. Here’s the top: Finding balance- I still own my paint n sip- It’s actually for sale! But trying to push forward with my speed painting while maintaining my paint n sip studio is tough. I have HUGE goals with my speed painting, but I have responsibilities the other business, so I have to pause at times and take care of those.
Also getting used to traveling with your art supplies is an obstacle within itself, ha!
It’s a high pace and high-speed environment, so that’s something to get used to. I’m learning that rest is key!
Another obstacle is educating my followers and potential customers about what I do and how to best use my services. I’m sure you can imagine there’s a lot of confusion about what I do. I get a lot of private commission inquires for realist portraits and I have to turn them away to stay focused on my speed painting schedule.
Also, there’s not a “road map” or a guide for how to be successful in this field so I’m just pretty much adjusting and figuring it out as we go.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
(Laura Ashley Live Art) I am a speed and performance painter from the heart of North Carolina who loves to entertain and fundraise with my art. My favorite painting to paint is the American Eagle in less than FIVE mins, upside down and I’m most known for painting the King of Nascar, Richard Petty. I have a unique, bright & wild style! I love metallics, contrast, texture, lines that move, and bright vivid colors! My work is abstract realism, meaning you should be able to recognize the subject without it being ultra-realistically painted, as a photograph would be.
I travel from Tennessee to Florida. My most frequent clients include “The King of Nascar” Richard Petty, Moonshiner’s Mark & Digger, Carolina Panthers Ricky Proehl, Jeep Beach, Nascar Foundation, and others.
My favorite and primary service is fundraising as I have raised over $60,000 for various charities. I am the Official speed painter of Richard Petty’s Petty Family Foundation and the Official Speed Painter of Jeep Beach Week, Daytona Beach, FL. I have worked with various other foundations including the Nascar Foundation, Martin Truex Jr Foundation, Sherry Strong Organization, Ricky Proehl P.O.W.E.R. of Play Foundation, Sunshine State Towing Association, and more.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I think being intentional is the most important to me and my work. With everything from my studio time, to behind the scenes every day running the business part, etc. Being intentional with my network- truly spending time with those people who support my work, who enjoy watching it, and my collectors. Being truly present and intentional with whatever task needs my attention at the moment, with minimal distractions. That’s the quality that helps me in all aspects of my work and the better I get at that- the more success I see.
Pricing:
- Speed painting rates ranges- $1k-3k
- In Studio Artwork & Prints-$65-$1k
- Commissions $1k waiting period of 6months
- Live Weddings- Sold Out for 2 yrs.
- Merchandise $25-$60
Contact Info:
- Website: lauraashleyliveart.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/lauraashleyliveart
- Facebook: facebook.com/lauraashleyliveart
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraashleyliveart
- Other: https://www.shopltk.com/explore/LauraAshleyLiveArt
Image Credits
Jonny Nomad
Alexis Gray
