Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lauren Tuma. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Lauren, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
Becoming a full time artist was a day dream I never even considered nor taken seriously. Without fail when people found out I was an artist and saw my work, the first thing they would tell me is “What are you doing working there? You have a real God given gift! That job will only waste your time, you don’t belong there.” I always let the compliments roll off my back and continued along the easy path; having a nice home, having good comfy jobs and a stream of guaranteed income. The thing that really turned my view around and made me truly consider doing what I love for a living, was my daughter. After she was born I had a choice to make, try to climb the corporate ladder or follow my dream and work just as hard if not harder for myself. I dabbled in climbing the corporate ladder and I decided it wasn’t for me, I didn’t want to be a high up henchman for some company that saw me as replaceable, I wanted to do something amazing for my family, for myself and especially for my daughter. Before deciding to take this risk of following my dream my husband and I owned our own home, had comfy income and we both worked long hours. Deciding to follow my dream meant selling our home, moving in with family, my husband being the sole provider and me becoming a “stay at home mom” while being a full time artist. We left our comfy lives to follow this crazy idea that I could make money as a fine artist. My husband had no objection and continues to encourage me when I feel like I am not enough! I told him the idea and he said “Let’s do it!” Things are hard right now, and there are unexpected obstacles and unfulfilled promises that have come up, but I would rather live life knowing I tried and failed than never trying at all.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Lauren Tuma, I am first and foremost a God-fearing woman who was born in 1991 (32 years old), a mother to a bright young three year old girl (soon to be four), a wife to a wonderful husband and a self-taught fine artist. One of the first questions people I meet ask after seeing my artwork is “Where did you study?” My answer is always the same “Nowhere.” I am self- taught and have been drawing and painting since I could hold a crayon, which has, to my benefit, given me a ton of practice! When my mother was reading or my father and uncle were talking computers I would plop down and draw or paint their portraits at only eight-years-old (granted they were not the best, but the likeness was there). Before that, I would copy cartoons at school in the first grade and before that, I was always given arts and crafts time from my babysitter, Nani and Grandpa Joe. All my life my parents always had art supplies for my siblings and I to use. As I got older my mother and father and relatives would purchase me art packs (those cases with color pencils, watercolors, acrylics, and pastels in them), easels, canvases, drawing pads and so on. As I got older, I got better, and in high school I had a wonderful art teacher, Ms. Suh, who really pushed me to be at my best, and who guided me to compete in school aged competitions. Out of high school I knew I wanted to be an artist, but I didn’t have the drive or the know- how of how to apply for scholarships to go to the top schools I wanted to attend. If you are good at something it is better to learn first hand and figuring it out on your own, or so I decided. I attended only two art classes at local junior colleges but dropped out because of boredom and other things life tends to throw at you. My dream died there, but I continued to paint and draw as a hobby. I went through life doing warehouse jobs, back-room jobs and parcel delivery jobs (always dealing with big heavy boxes!). After my daughter was born I decided to step it up and start managing. The money was great, but I rarely saw my little baby or husband, in fact I was barely able to see my family when they came to visit us. This was clearly not working and there had to be more to life than breaking your back for someone else’s company. So we sold our home in Arizona and hit the road back to Southern California to move in with family. We decided to risk it all to follow this crazy dream of getting paid doing what I love! Portraits are what I am mainly commissioned to do, and I love doing them. Capturing more than the subject’s likeness is what I strive for. Satisfied clients always mention how I not only captured the way they look, I capture a piece of them, how they really are in real life. Landscapes and animals are more subjects I love painting and drawing. The beauty of the natural earth is what I strive to elevate in all my works through bright vivid colors, and certain small important details. Artists that have really inspired and shaped me all throughout my life include DaVinci, Monet, Renoir, Rembrandt, Van Gogh and Bouguereau (to name a few).
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
The 21 under 31 article in Southwest Magazine. It is really more of a competition or something you apply for rather than being scouted out as I so naively thought. If you are under 31 you need to apply to be in this special issue of Southwest Magazine! Do it now, seriously! Not only that but there are so many competitions out there, especially for portrait artists. To catch wind of a majority of these competitions, purchase a couple of art magazines and you will see the advertisements for these prominent competitions. Along with these competitions seek out advice from more experienced and successful artists. Most of them are extremely nice and willing to give you helpful tips! I am very humbled and honored to have been able to receive helpful tips and wisdom from some of my favorite (the best) artists living today!
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Creating something beautiful out of a blank canvas/paper. Giving a lens, to those willing to look, to see the beauty in the world all around us that others seem to miss or take for granted. Whether it be a path taken to work everyday surrounded by architectural history, a grand scene of giant mountains, a view of blooming flowers, a wondrous animal, a beautiful innocent child, a portrait of someone dear who helped shaped a life; a mother, a father, a grandmother, a grandfather, a brother or sister; this is what truly feels rewarding; bringing joy and happiness to others through painting and drawing.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.laurentumaart.com
- Instagram: can0tuma
Image Credits
Original Artwork and Photographs by Lauren Tuma