We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Laurence Elle Groux a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Laurence Elle thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

I was diagnosed with lung cancer two and a half years ago. Two years earlier, I became a full-time artist after a long break and a stifling 9-to-5 job that had crushed my soul. I had finally built a body of work with my unique style, and I was starting to have a steady flow of group shows and even received an award.

My momentum halted when I began chemo. I tidied up my studio, put away my tools, and embarked on that unfamiliar journey. One thing I didn’t know was that my spirit and my will to live and create would be stronger than the illness. I made sure to seize every moment and opportunity when I was feeling well or not in physical pain after various surgeries. I wanted to create art, be around other artists, showcase my work, and express gratitude for every instance I could touch clay or draw. There were moments, of course, when I couldn’t create. I felt so frustrated that I became depressed. I would look at other artists with the health to create to their heart’s content, making me sad that I couldn’t.

Dealing with a chronic illness means facing continuous setbacks, which eventually become a part of life. For example, I participated in the Affordable Art Fair Spring 2024 after surgery and before starting a clinical trial. Despite being in a lot of pain, the excitement of showcasing and selling my work motivated me to attend, smile, and enjoy the moment and the experience. I have gained a new appreciation for the healing power of art through my illness. It has shown me how art can positively affect my soul and encourage those around me. I want people to understand that life doesn’t end with a cancer diagnosis. There is hope.

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

I was born in 1972 in Lausanne, Switzerland, and I am a self-taught artist. At 22, I stumbled upon sculpting and clay after coming across a catalog of the sculptor Camille Claudel. Instantly in love, I purchased clay two days later and immediately felt a sense of belonging. I quickly took hold of the material and began sculpting lifelike figures that told stories.

In a spontaneous decision, I relocated to New York in 1996. There, I met my future husband, who was a painter. One day, when I was mad at him, I attacked one of my figurative sculptures with a wooden tool and slashed it from top to bottom, from left to right, in circular mode, in every way you can imagine! At some point, I felt satisfied, and I walked back and looked at it, and I just loved what I saw. It was organic; it had movement, and it was profound. The depths of my anger and sadness have birthed my unique style, adding depth and emotion to my work. That day, I became an abstract sculptor.

We moved to Philadelphia in 1999. I started a series of sculptures there and participated in a few group shows. I sold a couple of sculptures, and I had some reviews in the Philadelphia Enquirer. These were a lovely couple of years during which I was able to explore and take my time honing my skills.

I got divorced in 2005 and moved back to New York City to start my life over. Chance would have that my landlord in Washington Heights was a wonderful and eccentric gentleman who happens to love art. I convinced him to let me paint murals in the lobby of his building. I was paid to paint! What a blast. These murals led to other clients in the neighborhood, and I was able to make a living for a while. I was still creating and having some small group shows and a grant with NoMAA (the Northern Manhattan Art Alliance).

In 2011, I received an inheritance, and instead of using the money to become an artist or buy an apartment, I created a line of umbrellas with my designs on them. I assumed it would make money faster than my art. I learned a great deal during that business endeavor. I learned about production, how to brand, take pictures of the product, rework it in Photoshop, build a website, and sell. When this business sank, it shattered my heart. It took me years to overcome the loss. Eventually, I learned to accept and embrace it.

I stopped creating altogether during these years, and after that defeat, I took a job in 2017 as a sales rep selling luxury textiles to interior designers. I learned how to build a client base and care for that clientele. I faced rejection countless times, but I kept going. I enjoyed nurturing the relationships I developed over time by putting in the extra effort to ensure their satisfaction and working hard to meet their needs.

From lugging heavy bags of fabrics around New York City, my body gave in, and I couldn’t move my neck. It took me nine months to recover. I am convinced that my body reflected the state of my soul, deteriorating due to a lack of creativity. My fiancé convinced me to take a ceramics class because he noticed I was struggling with heavy depression. I did, and it changed my life! It restarted my body, fed my soul, and gave me back a purpose. Then Covid hit, and my kitchen table became my studio like countless other artists.

When I learned that a ceramic studio was reopening, I eagerly became a member of Bklyn Clay despite being an hour and a half from my home. I became a full-time artist and created nonstop. I built a substantial body of work. I had shows again, sells, and awards. It was fabulous. I was so happy. Nothing could stop me. And then… I learned I have cancer, and that changed everything again. So I thought.

I am proud of everything I learned these past decades and who I have become. I taught myself so many things. Being an artist is a business. We have to wear so many different hats. It is also so expensive that honing different skills to cut some costs is priceless. That non-linear journey wasn’t in vain.

I take the most pride, though, in finding my unique style through hard work and dedication. Life has taught me to be resilient, compassionate, and grateful for the ability to create. It has shown me clearly that I have a gift to share with others. Over the past decades, I’ve learned that creating is my purpose.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

Healing is not just a mission for me; it’s a personal journey. I strive to heal not only myself and my soul but also those who will come to know my work. Each piece I create is a spiritual endeavor, a focus on healing our consciousness. For years, I have been crafting a series of sculptures inspired by abstract nouns: intangible concepts like love, hate, joy, innocence, hope, fear, and more.

I aim for the abstract nature of my work to evoke a subconscious experience for my viewers. I hope that when they see the abstract nouns next to my sculptures, they will move around them, observing the pieces and feeling the energy emanating from them. I often allow people to interact with my work and touch the sculptures so they can immerse themselves more deeply in the journey.

I am also working on a series of oil etching drawings called “The Healing Circles.” These drawings are painstakingly detailed, with small details of patterns, birds, and people, much like automated drawings.

When I create, I surrender control and allow the energy to flow, using my skills to give it form. One of the most exhilarating aspects of my creative process is the surprise that awaits me when I gaze upon a finished work. What is this piece? How does it speak to me, and what healing does it hold? Art, without a doubt, is a source of healing.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Networking! I believed for many years that hiding in the studio and creating was the ultimate goal. It was purity. I didn’t realize the wealth of opportunities that come from surrounding yourself with other artists and people. The resources, support, and love are immense. It can be a simple technical tip, supplier, product, grant, or recommendation. I’m grateful to my artist friend Elizabeth McAlpin for referring me for the interview!

I advise any artist not to get too caught up in their work. There is a balance. It’s essential to step out and connect with your community. Whether you’re experiencing success, failure, or hardship, your community will provide incredible support. I am immensely grateful for my community’s support.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.laurenceellegroux.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurenceellegroux or @laurenceellegroux

Image Credits

Main photo profile by Andrew Schwartz

Artist Gigi Chen (first photo)