We recently connected with Reginald Laurent and have shared our conversation below.

Reginald, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

The most meaningful work I’ve ever done isn’t tied to a single painting, exhibition, or collector. It’s the ongoing relationship I’ve built with teachers and the thousands of children I’ve reached through my Zoom art sessions around the world. Those moments—watching a child light up when they realize they can create something uniquely their own—have paid the greatest dividends. Not financially, but spiritually.

And in a world increasingly shaped by AI, I believe it’s more important than ever for children to use their hands and imaginations to make things. Creativity builds problem‑solvers, dreamers, and thinkers—skills no machine can replace. If my work has helped even one child feel seen, empowered, or capable, then that is the project that will outlive me.
I’m grateful that my art hangs in museums and in the homes of well‑known collectors, but that’s not how I measure success. I would rather leave something in people than leave something for people.

My true legacy lives in the children who discover confidence, imagination, and joy through creating. Knowing that I’ve inspired young people to trust their creativity and see themselves as artists means more to me than any accolade. If my work has helped even one child feel seen, empowered, or capable, then that is the project that will outlive me.

Reginald, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

For readers who may be meeting me for the first time, I am a self‑taught (God led) artist, educator, and creative entrepreneur whose journey has unfolded in an unconventional but deeply meaningful way. I’ve been creating art for more than 40 years, but I didn’t enter the art world through the traditional route. I spent decades solving problems in corporate America before the pandemic abruptly closed that chapter. What felt like an ending became the beginning of my true calling. I stepped fully into my God‑given purpose as a full‑time artist, and everything began to align.

My work centers around my DNA Series—vibrant, abstract compositions that celebrate identity, rhythm, and individuality. This art style is at the core of everything I create, and they are an exaggeration of doodles I created as a child. Over time, I’ve expanded my practice into 3D formats, public art installations, and healing‑centered works placed in hospitals and community spaces. I’m represented by Buckhead Art Company and preparing for a solo exhibition in Peoria, Illinois in Spring 2026. I’ve also extended my brand through merchandise—umbrellas, soccer balls, and other items that carry my DNA aesthetic into everyday life. And I trademarked the term “Artmodity” to explain how art holds value and how an artist’s worth grows through their body of work.

But the most important part of my journey—the part that defines my purpose—is my relationship with schools. Working with teachers and students through my Zoom art sessions has given me access to thousands of young creative minds all over the world. Inspiring children to create, to trust their imagination, and to see themselves as artists is the greatest privilege of my career. In an AI‑driven world, I believe it is more important than ever for children to use their hands, hearts, and minds to make things.

What sets me apart is that my work is not just about producing art—it’s about producing impact. I wear many hats: artist, educator, presenter, curriculum designer, brand builder. I create environments that soothe and inspire, and I help young people discover confidence and joy through creativity. I believe in leaving something in people, not just something for them.

What I’m most proud of is that my journey reflects resilience, reinvention, and service. My brand is rooted in authenticity, faith, and the belief that creativity can change lives. And as far as I’ve come, I still feel like I’m just getting started.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the best part of being a creative is the absolute freedom it gives me. I decide what to make, how to make it, where to share it, and how to build my world around it. There’s no one‑size‑fits‑all template for artistic success, and I’ve learned to embrace that. Every artist’s path is different, and my own journey has been unconventional, God-led, and deeply rewarding.

Because I never had a formal teacher shaping my voice, I create without barriers or expectations. I wear many hats—artist, educator, entrepreneur, brand builder—and I make decisions that are both creative and business‑driven. I’ve also learned that artists must cultivate multiple revenue streams to thrive; art sales alone aren’t enough to sustain a career.

The road of an artist is never a straight line. I often find myself navigating side streets and back alleys—searching for ideas, inspiration, and answers. But that’s part of the beauty. I create without worrying about trends, the masses, or what my contemporaries might think. That freedom to follow my own instincts is something I treasure.

But above all, the greatest part of being a creative is knowing that I am fulfilling my God‑given purpose: inspiring and motivating children to create. Helping young people discover their own artistic voice, their confidence, and their imagination is the deepest reward of my career. That purpose guides everything I do.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Back in 2021, things got rough. I was a full‑time artist in a dry season with almost no sales. One day, while venting to my oldest brother about my situation, he suddenly said, “Get a job!” Of all the things he could’ve said, that was the one that hit the hardest. Not because it hurt—but because it lit a fire.

The moment I hung up, I walked into my studio and wrote on the wall: “10/13/21 — Get a Job,” along with his name. Those words are still there. I see them every day. They remind me that quitting is not an option. And now, as my career continues to rise, I remind him that his comment became my motivation.

Being an artist takes faith. I believe that if I show up and do the work, God will handle the rest. He didn’t give me this gift without also giving me a platform to share it. I’m not wealthy, and I rarely know where the next opportunity will come from—but I trust that staying true to myself and to Him will bring everything meant for me in its time.

At my age, I once thought I had entered the “dessert stage” of life because I am happy to be creating every day. But I’ve since realized I’m still just nibbling on the appetizer—and the best is yet to come.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.laurentoriginals.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurentoriginals/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reginald.laurent
• Other: https://theartofed.wistia.com/medias/fwdkjz6wil

  https://www.studionoizepodcast.com/episodes/a-relationship-with-color-reginald-laurent