We were lucky to catch up with Laura Baran recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Laura, thank you so much for joining us today. There are so many topics we could discuss, but perhaps one of the most relevant is empathy because it’s at the core of great leadership and so we’d love to hear about how you developed your empathy?
Growing up with an immigrant father who’s parents were Auschwitz survivors, and a mother who’s parents managed to escape Nazi Germany in their teens, I heard a lot about survival, hardships, and oppression, although not always with those words. My oldest sister Rochelle died from a heart condition, and she had Down Syndrome, and mom had another daughter, and was pregnant with me at the time. I heard stories and witnessed deep pain, which contributed to developing my empathy. I’m a survivor of abuse, and bullying, which also deepened my empathy.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m an expressive figurative artist and illustrator of 4 books. I use she/her pronouns. I create live-drawings at events in NYC where guests leave with a custom drawing done with ink and watercolor, or markers on paper. I also have over a decade’s worth of informal art teaching experience.
My fine art exhibitions include New York Fashion Week, The National Arts Club in New York, Milk Gallery in New York, Envoy Enterprises in New York, and STP (Serving The People, founded by Lucien Smith).
The figurative expressionism in my fine art work draws on personal subject matter. I celebrate and document my emotions, memories, postpartum themes, liberation themes, and spiritual connectedness through narrative depictions of myself, ordinary life, and natural beauty.
I co-founded the organization Arts & Dreams, and have led expressive art workshops to inspire creativity, hope and self-love with New Yorkers of all ages since 2009. Through my work, I merge my passions of art and healing. I live with my husband and son in Manhattan.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
In learning empathy, listening has been impactful. Making time for daily meditation counts as spiritual listening. Listening when people share stories of courage, and how they found help and support, is a key to deepening my empathy. Reading, whether it’s online or print, is similar to listening. Cultivating a personal sense of humility that’s confident at the same time has been impactful, and remembering to remain open and teachable. Paying attention to my surroundings was once a defense mechanism that kept me safer and alive during an abusive childhood, and is now still helpful as a way to consider the impacts of my actions, and to bear witness to and reflect the suffering of others. Folks can start by feeling their feelings, even taking one or 2 conscious breaths, and setting an intention to be gentle with ourselves, as a start on a journey of deepening empathy.
Any advice for folks feeling overwhelmed?
Lots of overwhelm nowadays, and I’m speaking with white privilege. When I’m overwhelmed I take breaks. If I can, I stop pushing through, take time to feel my feelings, and soften and soothe them. I am getting way better at asking for and accepting help, thats been a wonderful area of personal growth. Knowing who I can rely on for support and turning to them, and knowing who might kick me when I’m down and avoiding them, is key for me. I try to take things off my plate, and get real with myself and my clients in terms of expectations and deadlines. This requires me to first slow down, breathe, assess what needs I need met for myself first, attend to myself, and be open to help from multiple sources.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.laurabaran.com
- Instagram: @bylaurabaran
Image Credits
BrakeThrough Media, @LifewithLouie1025
