We recently connected with Laura Green and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Laura, thanks for joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?
I am primarily a painter although I have worked in other media in the past. I use my own photographic references, and that is as simple as scrolling through my phone to a recent outing or event that I found to be meaningful or aesthetically pleasing. For example, I was working on a series where I wanted trees from the San Diego area. Using some photos from recent hikes with my kids, there were about 10-15 photos of some really old oak trees from the Mission Trails Regional Park. I add these images to photoshop and upped the contrast to make colors stand out. I usually spend some time cropping as I like a pretty tight composition. If I am including people or some more difficult drawing, I will use layers to match my sketches to an outline on top of the photo and make sure my proportions are not too far off. Next, I look at value, and try to simplify the image to three values: light, medium and dark. I recently started painting more sketches before my final painting because I wanted to create more interest as well as places for the eye to rest. I paint “alla prima” which just means direct style of painting with no underpainting. Only the ground may show through as a contrasting or complimentary color. My paintings are typically completed in one session but sometimes I do go back in. The main issue is not to overwork the paint, especially in acrylic, it will start looking muddy and losing the bright colors. This is my biggest challenge- the just let the brush marks stay where they are and not go over them too much.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am a stay at home mother and an artist. My focus is on painting fleeting moments of life in an impressionistic and colorful way.
I received a BA in Fine Arts from UCSC in 1998, but took a 25 year break from art-making to travel and teach. My first adventure was with four friends cycling across the country from Seattle to Boston. She continued to Europe cycling self-supported by myself, and also completed many solo trips, such as SF to LA, Alaska, around Bolivia and throughout New Zealand. I received a MA in TESOL in 2006, so I could continue to teach English while traveling. However, the days of solo traveling ended when I met my husband in San Diego.
In all my travels and jobs, i was looking for that sense of home that had been lost when my parents divorced. They both started new families and i did not feel a strong sense of belonging in either home or family. As an only child, I felt very lonely. As a parent now, my focus has been on taking care of my own family and making that has become central to my art and identity.
During the pandemic, I launched my art practice as classes were offered online. As a homeschooling parent to four children, this made taking classes possible. I completed a certificate in Art and The Creative Process at UCSD Extension in 2022, and a post-bacc in Studio Arts from UC Berkeley Extension in 2023. my wildlife paintings have been featured in the Tijuana River Estuary visitor center in Imperial Beach since March 2023. My portraits of people and pets are held in a number of private collections. I have been featured in a variety of group shows, notably receiving second place in acrylics at the Del Mar Fair and Best of Show from the North Coastal art gallery.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
The biggest challenge I have faced was when each of my four children were born. There is no comparison to the stress and sleeplessness, the loss of identity and the feeling of being utterly unseen and unsupported with the tremendous task of raising humans. Getting through those first five years with each of my children, when the demands are so great physically and emotionally is something that gave me a lot of self confidence in myself.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
The turning point in my parenting journey came when my fourth child was born and my older daughter was extremely jealous. Nobody prepares you for the challenges of a fearful child. In her case, her fear came out as aggression and myself and my husband were unprepared for it. I had to find a parenting style that supported her through fear, while protecting myself and other children from getting hurt. I had to learn to listen, really listen, and not do or say anything that would cause her to clam up again. Now she is completely well-adjusted and a confident child. If I would have approached this challenge perhaps as I had been raised, or my parents had been raised, I dont think the result would be how it is today. It took everything I had, emotionally and physically, all while caring for an infant or two other young children.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lauragreenstudio.com
- Instagram: @lauragreenstudio
- Facebook: lauragreenstudio