We were lucky to catch up with Lauren Hua recently and have shared our conversation below.
Lauren, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
Thank you for having me! Well, as being an artist is my second career, I already know what it is like to have a “regular” job. In my previous life, I was a Registered Nurse. I could rely on a regular paycheck every two weeks after investing a set number of hours. The world of art, however, is far from predictable. Some moments may be filled with exhibitions and a lineup of commissions, but in the next month, the calendar can be startlingly empty. It’s possible to invest countless hours, weeks, and all your mental energy into advancing your artistic career, only to see minimal results in return.
A regular job offers stability, predictability, but also detachment. You will only ever be a cog in a well oiled machine. While as an artist YOU are the only one to credit or blame for your success or failures.
And it’s terrifying. The responsibility can be overwhelming, and everything about being a creative is intensely personal. I didn’t get into that exhibit because my work isn’t good enough, or I’m not gaining traction because I didn’t do enough. Everything is inherently a reflection of you, and it’s difficult not to tie that into your own self worth.
But there isn’t anything more visceral, raw and rewarding either. There is something amazing and self empowering about creation, that you put that beauty into the world. And when you release all the external concerns, and surrender to the act of creation, it’s incredibly therapeutic and healing. And that is what makes it all worthwhile.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Of course! So I initially embarked on a journey far removed from the realm of creativity. My professional background was in the healthcare field, as a Registered Nurse. But my heart had always leaned toward the arts. I had always been inclined towards the arts, placing in county fairs and winning a number of awards in high school. However, like many young creatives, I was guided toward a more secure and conventional career path.
For a while, I followed the expected course of life. That changed dramatically when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and I found myself grappling with overwhelming anxiety. It left me feeling utterly lost and eventually led to a battle with depression. Frustrated by the lack of control over my own life, I turned to painting as a means to regain my equilibrium. The canvases soon began to pile up, adorning every wall in our home. It was comforting having something to focus on and to make something beautiful.
It was during this period that my journey took an unexpected turn. I was discovered by Kathleen, the owner of Starfish Home Staging. She had come for a consultation and came across some of my paintings.
“Who did these?” she asked. I told her I did.
“These are amazing! I would love to work with you.” She told me. Which gave me the confidence to think, “Hey, maybe I can create things other people would enjoy.”
My entrance into the world of home staging art shaped my specialization. I paint with an interior designer’s perspective in mind, pondering questions like what color palette would transition into multiple decor styles, the ideal size of a painting for a lengthy hallway or the perfect statement piece for an entryway. Many of my creations are designed in diptych or triptych sets to maximize versatility. My most popular series, Koi Pond, are large, 3 ft x 4 ft diptychs designed to be hung horizontally or vertically, offering multiple placement options within a room or as standalone pieces. I adopt a soothing, understated, and neutral color palette to harmoniously blend with various décor styles.
What people tend to be drawn to, and have commented on is my innovative use of texture. I have an affinity for tactile elements, employing generous applications of modeling paste and mixed media to infuse depth into my works. While I typically gravitate towards softer, neutral hues, my signature touch lies in the incorporation of metallic accents, whether through metallic paint or the introduction of gold and silver foil. This element adds an understated yet captivating aspect to the overall elegant design. It’s not intended to shock and awe, but to give the viewer a calm, muted joy.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Well I recently signed a contract with Lotus Gallery where they will be granted an exclusive to my newest series, Sepia Chrysanthemums. These paintings have been a labor of love, a series that allowed me to delve deep into the beauty and symbolism of chrysanthemums. With this body of work, I’ve not only honed my artistic skills but also helped develop and refine my distinct style and perspective. Once I finish onboarding with them, I am planning to take some time to start on a sister series, Nothing but Mums, continuing with chrysanthemums as the subject, but in a wider variety of colors and backgrounds. After I complete my new series, my artistic journey is aimed towards an exciting phase of growth and exploration, one that I’m eager to share with a broader audience.
The next step in my artistic career is to expand my presence in the world of fine art galleries. While the chrysanthemum series holds a special place in my heart, I see it as a stepping stone to reach a wider audience and connect with art enthusiasts and collectors. I believe that these works, with their blend of color, emotion, and artistic expression, have the potential to resonate with a diverse range of art lovers.
My goal is to approach galleries that align with my artistic vision and values. I envision these galleries as opportunities to showcase my chrysanthemum series as well as future works that explore different themes and subjects. I’m excited about the prospect of collaborating with gallery curators and professionals who can help me curate exhibitions, help me grow, and introduce it to a wider audience. But when it comes down to it, I want to continue to hold true to the joy and passion I have when I am painting, whether it ascends to great heights or not. Whatever the future holds, I’m excited to see where this journey will lead.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
One of the biggest things I had to unlearn was the fact that success in the art world is a one-size fits all. Which is the furthest thing from the truth. In the beginning, I spent so many wasted hours trying to pursue… well everything. Because there are so many pathways in art, I tried to throw something at every wall I could think of to try to make something, anything stick. I applied to every art show I came across, art licensing agencies, participated in a number of craft shows, and had a booth at art markets. Afterwards, I would get disheartened and discouraged when a number of them, ultimately, didn’t work out. And while I gained a lot of personal experience, resiliency, and insights through this try everything approach, I would have been better served with more strategic self reflection of what niche my art would fit into as well as what I wanted my art to represent.
I found, for me, that my originals, with their unique textures, are my best asset, and their impact diminishes in pictures or prints. Therefore, I now learned to prioritize avenues where an audience can view them in person. I’ve also learned to be more selective. Not every venue will draw the same type of audience. A primarily new age fantasy market, even if they’ll have thousands of attendees, probably would not be the best place for me. And that is one of the most valuable things that I’ve learned. You have only so much time and energy, make the most of what you have by strategically pursuing avenues that are more likely to bring you and your specific art success.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.LaurenHua.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/abstractwren
Image Credits
Nichole Nicolet