Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Cullen.
Hi Laura, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Westport, Connecticut with my parents, three younger sisters and a family of artists. My Grandparents lived in town and had an amazing art studio in their home and this is where my artistic journey began. My Grandfather, Great Grandparents, my Uncle Geoff and sister Kathy are all Artists! My Grandmother was my biggest fan. At just 7 years old I entered the school art contest and days later when the Principal showed up in our classroom and called out “Will Laura Cullen please stand and come to the front of the class?” I thought oh no I must be in serious trouble! My 2nd grader legs were shaking as I walked towards the front and wow was I happy to find out I was being handed the school’s first place ribbon for the art show!! I was thrilled. And …. my teacher handed me a new Slinky!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
My early days as an artist were full of challenges! I bought my first oil paints at 36 years old and set up a home studio and began practicing as much as possible. It was super frustrating! A lot of tears. At first being in my studio felt incredibly lonely but over time I overcame it. I read a lot of books about art history and traveled when possible which helped tremendously. I made up weekly lessons for myself discovering what I was good at and areas I wasn’t. I got to know myself. One of the assignments I made up was to loosely draw the lyrics to a song I had playing in the background filling the canvas with strings of words and then using primary colors to create a modern painting with some movement. Color placement was fun! It was interesting making these! It’s one example of how I improved on my own. I still have some of those early pieces. In addition to the practice, I was fortunate to have studied briefly under the brilliant artist Renee Amitai back in the ‘90’s! My work has shown in group shows in Japan at the National Art Center and other prestigious museums in Japan. I am so honored. Today the city of Los Angeles is such a thriving art community full of talent! I once heard it’s the Paris of the ‘20’s!! I hope so! I love to go to openings, meet with friends and see what everyone has been making out there. It’s so inspiring!!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I love to paint! It’s such freedom! When I’m painting I feel lost in the music playing, the beautiful colors of the oils, the drips on the canvas -all the magical surprises and small agonies that happen along the way. I never plan what I’ll paint! What I do is choose my color palette, music and let the painting slowly come to me. Add and subtract to see what’s coming. I make each painting as a gift to myself initially and that way I drown out criticism. If I like it that’s enough. Getting there was a process and so freeing! Every single painting I do reaches a pivotal point. I call it the “do or die moment.” It’s THAT moment! After hours and hours or weeks of intense work I have to push myself much harder until I’ve surpassed all my previous expectations and make it to the top or I must throw it away in the trash! Usually when I reach that ‘hideous’ pivotal point I take a coffee break, breathe, remind myself I’ve been here before, stomp around the kitchen mumbling why?? or call a friend and eventually go all in for the big finale. It’s not easy but risking it all works really well for me! I’m most proud that I have a painting with the Nagasaki Prefectural Museum of Art in Nagasaki, Japan through LELA International.
How do you think about luck?
I’ve always had good luck. Not perfect luck but a lot of love in my life! I think luck is good energy which brings more good luck. I’m a positive person and like to shine a light on others as well. I wrote a poem that’s on my Instagram @laura_cullen_art called ‘If you’re lucky enough’…you may discover how lucky one life can be.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @laura_cullen_art
