We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Lauren Hua. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Lauren below.
Lauren, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
I used to struggle quite a bit with “Imposter Syndrome” when I first started my art journey. Because I didn’t come from a prestigious art school, or have any professional training, it was easy to listen to that voice in the back of my head that told me I wasn’t good enough. That I just got lucky. And because each painting is deeply personal, if my art wasn’t accepted somewhere- it wasn’t just a rejection of my art- it felt like a rejection of me.
What I came to realize though, is that art is beautiful because it’s so subjective. There isn’t a wrong or right way to do things.That’s why I fell in love with it to begin with. Nothing will ever appeal to everyone. What might move someone to the depths of their soul may look like a disjointed splatter of paint to someone else. So why worry about it? Just concentrate on creating what your heart desires and focus on connecting with people that will appreciate it.
You will become much more confident and self assured, knowing that you are creating something you believe in verses trying to cater to the whims of an unknown audience.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am an abstract expressionist painter who specializes in understated, elegant designs that assert themselves with bold textures and metallic accents.
Layers upon layers, modeling paste is built on top of multiple acrylic washes and finished with metallic flourishes. As each layer must dry before the next can be placed, it is not uncommon for my paintings to take over a month to complete.
My paintings are recognized by their incorporation of texture in our increasingly 2D world, giving them life and dimension. The ridges, cracks and valleys are striking and visceral, meaning to be felt.
Above all, I am an avid believer that beauty should be experienced at every possible moment, whether that is found in the perfect latte, a breathtaking view, or a stolen kiss. I strive to create art that communicates that belief, one that does not shock and awe, but gives the viewer a muted joy, peace and contentment that can be experienced everyday
I am currently finishing my Sepia Chrysanthemum series that will be featured with Lotus Gallery in Austin, Texas during February 2024.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I think some of the most impactful pieces of knowledge I’ve learned over the years is one, that you cannot hack your 10,000 hours. People say it takes 10,000 hours to master a skill, whether it’s painting, playing the guitar, or writing a book. 10,000 hours to mastery. I spent quite a bit of time trying to find shortcuts, or jumping ahead and expecting instant success, only to get frustrated and disappointed in myself when such attempts failed. I would have saved myself a lot of heartache, if instead of throwing myself at the goal of “succeeding” I spent that time on simply painting or improving my other skills.
Another thing that I’ve learned is that there isn’t one path to success as an artist. What may be one artist’s recipe for success may not work out for you and your art. Find out what works for your art and hone your skills and energy towards that path versus trying to divide yourself into a dozen different pieces to pursue a dozen different pathways. Really invest some time into figuring out where you want your art to be, who your audience is, what is the best venue for your art and how to get yourself there.
Lastly, in this line of work, resilience is key. You are going to have to be your own advocate, no one is looking to discover you. You are going to have to pound that pavement, look for your own opportunities, be brave enough to put yourself forward and strong enough to bear any “no”s or to grab good opportunities with both hands. You are going to have to be able to pick yourself up and dust yourself off after more than a couple rejections while you are first finding your path. But keep going. You keep at it long enough you’re bound to find your way.
Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?
I feel like the most impactful area of growth for me has been an internal one. Recently, I went through a creative rough patch. Surrounded by all these amazing, beautiful, truly awe-inspiring paintings and the creativity and imagination of artists out there, it’s hard not to look at yourself and find yourself pale in comparison. Look at that bar, look at all those successful talented people out there, there is no way I can aspire to that level. What was the point of trying?
But I came across a video that said “Fail forward”, what’s the worst that can happen? You may not obtain that shiny end goal, but you are closer to it than you were before you tried, and you’ve learned something after each and every attempt. You may not see it because you are close from where you fell, but one step is still closer than sitting down and agonizing over how far it is.
Put into those terms, it seemed silly not to try, and to recognize the value in “failure”. This mental switch has allowed me to put less pressure on myself to “succeed” and instead enjoy the journey of creation embracing the successes and failures alike.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.laurenhua.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/abstractwren
Image Credits
Nicole Nicolet
