Lauren Hua shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Lauren, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I feel like I’m wandering, in the best way. There isn’t something I have to accomplish, or see or do to feel complete. I feel like I’m in a place where I can wander through and participate in whatever life offers me instead of pursuing one singular path. It is freedom and joy.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a contemporary abstract painter that uses art as a way to blend my American upbringing with my Asian heritage. Carrying my heritage to the canvas as the subject, my pieces are free flowing, with both Japanese and Chinese influences in the brush strokes, motifs and compositions, yet breaks from tradition with bold textures and splashes of metallics which speaks to the more Western, independent, contemporary style. All of my pieces tend to incorporate this dualism in them
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
My abstract paintings stem from the artistic expression through, or despite, a previously structured life path. In my past life, I was a registered nurse. While always inclined towards the arts, like many young creatives, I was steered towards a more stable career, towards a safe life, one built on security and predictability.
So I walked down the predictable path, until I was granted a fork in the road. One that promised color and life, with bitter failures and flights of triumphs.
And while I am forever thankful to the rational, realist side of me, I feel I owe it to myself to dance on the whims of dreams.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
Perhaps not pain, but a fear of mine that has held me back has been my fear of failure. To be seen failing, to be less then perfect or trying too hard. It is a fear that I began to realize I projected into my art. When I first started out, I would only create pieces that I believe would be universally acceptable. Tame, polished things that that were as original and soulless as a bowl of unflavored oatmeal. Why did I do that to myself? Why confine myself and my art to anyone else’s acceptable?
This rebellion was what inspired my “Unapologetic” series. All of my “Unapologetic” pieces are done on a unbroken expanse of gold foil with dynamic raised edges of texture. It is titled “Unapologetic” because these pieces declares themselves proudly without hesitation or reserve. They are for anyone who has ever felt they are too extra, or much, or has ever felt they needed to be lesser than they truly are, these pieces are reminders that you should never diminish your shine.
This collection encourages you to take yourself as you are, the gold and the grit. The unselfish joys and the wounded insecurities. For all of it in its’ entirely makes you who you are. Face the world boldly, unashamed, unabashed, and unapologetic.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I feel that the belief that success has a dollar figure is wrong. Perhaps it is to some people, but I believe more people would be happier with freedom of time than a Porsche you can never drive because you have to work a 100 hour work week.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. When do you feel most at peace?
I feel the most at peace on cozy rainy days, when you are justified in staying in, with nothing on the calendar and soup is on the stove. Where my biggest decisions are to unwind on the canvas or melt into the couch with a book and my cat.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.laurenhua.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abstractwren
Image Credits
Photo Credit: Nicole Nicolet
