Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Laurie Batter. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Laurie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?

A few years ago, I met a new friend, Becca, at the pool where I swim daily. When she discovered I was an artist, she visited my website and immediately connected with a drawing of a hummingbird in my hand—it reminded her of the time she had rescued one in her yard. She not only purchased the piece but also generously shared swim training tips with me, as she is a personal trainer.
This year, when she moved her studio, Kolibri (the German word for hummingbird), she invited me to showcase my work at her grand opening. She carefully selected 13 of my recent paintings, all reflecting my artistic growth and evolving style. The event was a success: one of her clients purchased two of my paintings—the first time my art was acquired by someone I didn’t personally know. Since then, she has continued to exhibit another dozen of my works in her studio.
Becca’s support has been transformative. She not only gave me a platform that felt like my first solo show, but also continues to encourage me with feedback and enthusiasm. Her kindness has made her feel like a creative muse, and I am deeply grateful for the way she has championed both me and my art.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I grew up in an environment where creativity was part of daily life. From an early age in New Haven and Woodbridge, Connecticut, I was constantly drawing and experimenting—sometimes even with kitchen spices like cloves and bay leaves to create textural effects. My parents encouraged my curiosity, enrolling me in a local art workshop at age nine, where I thrived in an atmosphere of creative exchange among artists of all ages. My family was equally inspiring—my father sculpted, and later on did pen and ink, painting and portrait work, my mother played violin as a young woman, and my great-aunt was also artist and artist. Regular visits to Yale University’s museums and annual trips to New York galleries deepened my early connection to art.
Those formative experiences continue to shape my work. Growing up in a household of mostly women—my mother and three sisters—instilled a sensitivity to emotional dynamics that remains central to my practice. My current series, Echoes in Black Boots, explores themes of disconnection and intimacy, capturing the psychological tension between closeness and withdrawal.
Although I once doubted my talent and chose not to attend art school, I earned a BA in Art History from Case Western Reserve University, in partnership with the Cleveland Museum of Art. That program gave me daily access to masterpieces and introduced me to design, color theory, enameling, and metalsmithing—training that still informs my practice today. Summers spent at the Cleveland Institute of Art studying ceramics and metalsmithing further broadened my foundation.
I believe what sets my work apart is its emotional honesty and layered storytelling. I don’t create with the goal of solving a “problem” for the viewer, but I do hope my paintings offer a place of recognition—moments where their own emotions or experiences resonate with the work. Authenticity is at the heart of what I do, and I trust that when I create something that feels true to me, it can hold meaning for others as well.
Daily rituals keep me grounded: swimming at dawn (a 40-year habit that fills me with clarity and energy), journaling quick sketches and thoughts, and walking with my spirited young dog. These practices nurture my creative process, which I view as both discipline and meditation. Inspiration boards of colors, textures, and fragments often guide me when I feel blocked, reminding me to lean into curiosity and play.
I’m most proud of having built a life where I can dedicate time and energy to my art, supported by my spouse’s encouragement. Success, for me, is measured not in sales or recognition, but in the joy of creating something authentic. That said, I dream of one day mounting a solo exhibition in a small museum, sharing a cohesive body of work that speaks to the stories and themes I care about most.
To anyone beginning or returning to art, I would say: give yourself permission to create, make space for the process, and set aside limiting beliefs. Art is a lifelong adventure—and it’s never too late to begin.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the ability to create work that resonates on a deeply human level. Much of my art reflects on the fragile emotional spaces we occupy—moments of connection, disconnection, resilience, and vulnerability. When someone looks at a piece and feels comfort, recognition, or a spark of introspection, I know the work has done its job.
My process is both intuitive and soulful. I often begin with layers of paint or collage, letting figures and narratives emerge organically. I draw inspiration from what surrounds me—an object, a fleeting story, a photograph, or even a shift in lighting or color. These elements often lead to surprising discoveries that reveal the deeper story beneath the surface.
I also love that viewers bring their own experiences into the work. Each person completes the story in a way that is unique to them, and that dialogue between artist, artwork, and viewer is profoundly rewarding.
I’m influenced by artists such as Richard Diebenkorn, Emily Mason, Wolf Kahn, and Edward Hopper, whose practices gave me permission to reinterpret traditional subjects through a deeply personal lens. Combined with my background in art history, these influences subtly guide me while leaving space for intuition and discovery.
Ultimately, the reward is twofold: the joy of creating something authentic, and the privilege of watching it touch another person’s inner world.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

After a 40-year career in PR and marketing with my firm, BatterUp! Productions, I found myself drawn back to my art practice during the pandemic. For years, my business demanded most of my time and energy, and I created very little. On top of that, I spent eight years caring for my father, who ultimately passed away from Covid in 2020. His loss, coupled with the global shutdown, forced me to pause and reconsider how I wanted to spend my days.
During that time, I began taking Zoom art classes, revisiting portraiture and figure drawing with live models, and experimenting with new mediums like watercolor and acrylics. Those early steps felt like rediscovering a part of myself I had long set aside.
A transformative turning point came in 2024, when I enrolled in Nicholas Wilton’s Art2Life Creative Visioning Program. The three-month immersion emphasized play, intuition, and soul—elements I had never fully embraced in my work before. That experience not only revitalized my approach to art but also solidified my pivot from a long career in marketing toward a new chapter as a full-time artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.yessy.com/lauriebatter
• Instagram: @lauriebatterartist
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriebatter/

Image Credits

All images owned and photographed by Laurie Batter.