Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lauren Luna. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Lauren, thank you so much for joining us today and appreciate you talking about a sensitive topic. It’s unfortunately relevant to so many in the community as layoffs have been on the rise recently, and so we’d appreciate hearing your story and how you overcame being let go?
When life comes at you fast, it can definitely be daunting. There were so many life-jarring things that happened the day I was let go of my day job, that may have driven someone else toward a very dark place. As a result of the life that I’ve led, I knew that going down that path wasn’t going to give me the results that I needed. I allowed myself to feel everything that was coming at me, and then I got to work. I started reaching out to previous contacts I had made, following up on job leads, and focusing on the upcoming art gigs. Unbeknownst to me at the time, what I thought was one of the darkest days of my life, ended up being what was a new beginning. As a result, I am now a part-time college professor, teaching drawing twice a week, and working all the other time as a professional artist. Now that I am not constricted to a daily job that extended way past working hours, I am able to focus strictly on being a professional painter. Jobs come to me now and I am my own boss! It’s the most liberating experience of my life.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m originally from Columbus, Ohio, and I moved to Houston 12 years ago, this July, to become a professional artist. I have a bachelor’s and master’s of Fine Arts, specializing in non-figurative studies. I have a twenty-year-old son, who wants to be an audio engineer. I specialize in urban landscapes and New Orleans revelry. As for my current projects, I am amongst fellow artists in a book called, 50 Artists Houston, and we just had the second book signing in March. I am excited to have been involved in this book documenting my paintings and life. Also, I am one of 10 artists, who are part of a show called 1000 Faces. We all are painting 100 faces each. I’m still waiting to hear when this show will happen, but at least I’m ready for when it does. I am also expanding out of Houston, by doing shows in other cities. I’m currently slated for Dallas, and Columbus, Ohio this Spring/Summer.
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 have dedicated myself to art. From art lessons as a child, through high school, to majoring in art in college, and finishing with a masters degree in art. This is not an easy career. It requires you to be everything from the CEO to the custodian, and everything in between. I feel that my other careers throughout my life have prepared me to be the professional that I am today. Going to school for art taught me the creative side and how to execute. The jobs I’ve held taught me to be who I am today.
Artists have a bad reputation for being flighty and unreliable. I pride myself on being highly organized and professional. I’d say all my years as a classroom teacher prepared me for that.
Artists also are known for not being the neatest people. I believe my job as a visual designer helped me with that.
Using the skills that you pick up from other sources and utilizing them in other ways is essential in entrepreneurship and being a professional artist. There aren’t just three that you need; it’s all of them.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
They fostered my interest in art and signed me up for art classes. They were also very supportive of my chosen major.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.artistaluna.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurenlunaltd
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/laurenlunaltd
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/laurenlunaltd
