We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Laura Shape. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Laura below.

Laura, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I worked on several meaningful and impactful projects in my previous career as a graphic designer. However, in my new career as a fine artist, the most meaningful project is the one I’m working on right now.

I believe any single person can change the world with a little innovation, and that seemingly small actions can have a big impact. My goal is to make the world a more beautiful and happy place. Right now I’m expressing these ideas by creating paintings on leather sourced from invasive animals, like Burmese python, lionfish, and carp.

If you’re not familiar with the invasive animals issue, we’ve moved animals from their homes to places where they wreak havoc on local wildlife and ecosystems. Since eliminating them is the only solution, my art aims to honor these animals while transforming their destruction into something beautiful. This effort not only protects numerous native species and the livelihoods tied to them but also offers creativity, joy, and hope for a brighter future.

It also allows others to participate in helping this cause in a novel way. By buying these leathers I’m helping create financial motivation for hunters and fishers to capture these invasive animals. By investing in my artwork others can aid in this endeavor, while also receiving a beautiful piece of art for their home or workplace as a reward.

I believe these artworks are important and meaningful on many levels. They’re attention-getting conversation pieces that allow the owner to help raise awareness of this issue. They inspire people to think creatively about how to solve big problems. They spread beauty and joy. And, possibly most importantly, they’re a daily reminder to the owner of the good deed they’ve done, that they’re a hero, and that their actions can make a difference in the world.

Laura, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I create abstract paintings on leather sourced from invasive animals to help safeguard native species and restore ecosystems.

Several years ago, while still trying to find my artistic calling, I experimented with making belts and handbags. I discovered I love working with leather, especially exotics. They’re unique, beautiful, long-lasting, and durable – great for creating useful goods that will last. However, the rise of “vegan leather” trends prompted me to think about the ethical implications of using traditional animal-derived leather in my work.

Inspired by this internal debate, I sought out an ethically-sourced alternative. Through my research I discovered leather made from invasive species, which addressed both my ethical and environmental concerns.

Once I learned about this invasive species issue, I realized I could use my art skills to help solve the problem in a new and unique way. And in doing so, I could create an opportunity for others to help, as well. One that might feel more meaningful to them and give them more joy than just donating to a charity would.

After that I spent a few years exploring how best to work with these leathers and refining my process. Now I’m ready to roll and am trying to get the word out about my artwork as quickly as possible.

I think I’m most proud of finding another way for art to be relevant and to do even more good in the world. And that I’ve discovered a way to turn a terrible disaster into something beautiful and joyful.

The main thing I want potential clients/followers/fans to know is that by supporting this mission, my collectors are heroes. And the more of you I can serve with my art, the more impact we can have together in solving this urgent issue.

Have you ever had to pivot?

About ten years ago I had reached a point in my career in which I needed a change. I’d spent a couple of decades working in Los Angeles as a graphic and interface designer for the web. And, while I once found it all very interesting and exciting, I was no longer feeling fulfilled. I felt like my options were limited. I’d also been divorced for a few years, and was tired of dating. I was just in a rut emotionally.

Completely unexpectedly, I reconnected with an old friend who was living in Denver. We started dating and when he asked me to marry him and move to Denver, I took it as an opportunity to start over. I spent several years figuring out what I wanted to do for my second act. Now I’ve found it in being an artist, and I couldn’t be happier.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Stop perpetuating the “starving artist” myth! It’s disempowering and it’s just not true. The total sales in the U.S. art market alone in 2023 was over 27 Billion dollars. Billion. With a “B”. Clearly, there is money to be made in an art career.

I don’t know how this myth started, but it’s pervasive in current society, and it’s toxic. The real reason artists frequently don’t make money is because no one’s teaching them standard business skills, like marketing and sales. And for some reason, artists are taught that those things are bad.

Art has meaning and power. It allows us to express things that are unexplainable with words. It spreads beauty and brings joy. It celebrates what it means to be a thinking, feeling human being. It allows us to appreciate each other’s uniqueness, while bringing us closer together in mutual understanding. When nations and cultures fall, one of the few things they leave behind of the most value is their art. To be an artist is one of the most noble pursuits a person can have.

So, if you know someone who’s a struggling artist, or someone who wants to get into a career in the arts, please don’t try to dissuade them and tell them they’ll starve. Instead, help them find ways to learn how to turn their art into a business. The internet is full of art business classes and coaches. Encourage them to find the one that speaks best to them. And to take the steps necessary to build their business into a financial success.

That way, the world can have more artists. Which would be better for everyone.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://laurashape.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurashape
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraShapeArt
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurashape/