Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Worrick.
Hi Laura, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always been a creative person—someone who likes to work with their hands, experiment, and explore. I graduated from RISD in 2008 with a degree in Illustration, and while my career path led me into the world of design and tech, I never stopped making art.
Today, I lead the Cisco IT Design System and Visual Design Program at Cisco. As a neurodivergent person (I have Bipolar and ADHD), I’ve learned how important it is to create space for people to bring their whole selves to work. That belief shows up in how I lead teams, but it also fuels my personal art practice. Creativity has always been a form of healing for me—a meditative, grounding outlet that helps me process the world.
During the pandemic, I started to feel disconnected from my fine arts roots. Two years ago, after a trip to Far West Texas, I painted a pair of overalls just for fun. A friend posted a photo of me wearing them, and by chance, the shoe brand Sabah saw it. They reached out and asked if I’d custom-paint some shoes inspired by the overalls. That one project sparked an ongoing partnership with Sabah and eventually led to collaborations with brands like Imogene + Willie, Alma Del Jaguar, Abby Jane Bakeshop, and Tito’s Vodka.
That moment reawakened something in me as a maker. I’ve since leaned deeper into painting and building again—currently, I’m working on a series of hand-built paper mache altars inspired by Mexican folk art, Far West Texas, and outsider art. I’m also a stick and poke tattoo artist. I’ve found it to be an incredibly intimate and meaningful way to connect with people—sharing physical space and quiet moments while giving someone a permanent piece of art is a real honor.
Outside of art and design, I live in South Austin with my fiancé David, a horse, two dogs, and a whole crew of chickens. I draw a lot of inspiration from the land out west—cattle brands, desert palettes, folk signage, hobo symbols, natural features, wildlife. It all finds its way into my work, one way or another.
I have a show opening at Tin Whistle Gallery in East Austin running from May 15 to June 7, and I’ll also be at the Hella Artsy Pop Up on June 7 at Factory on 5th. I’m grateful for the chance to keep building a creative life that feels personal, purposeful, and a little bit wild.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road definitely hasn’t been smooth, but I’ve learned that struggle can be fertile ground for growth—both personally and creatively. Living with Bipolar and ADHD has been a challenge. There have been times when it felt nearly impossible to find balance—between the highs and lows, between my corporate design work and my need to make things with my hands. For a long time, I thought I had to compartmentalize everything: be one version of myself at work, another at home, and yet another in my art. But the real turning point came when I started showing up fully as myself in all areas of my life. That shift changed everything.
Finding balance between my creative practice and a career in tech hasn’t always been easy. But I’ve learned how to set better boundaries and protect my time and energy for the things that feed my spirit. Over the years, I’ve worked out of all kinds of tiny corners—makeshift studios, kitchen tables—and every space taught me something. Now, I’m lucky enough to have a dedicated studio in my home, which has given me the freedom to build and explore even more.
My work has taken many forms over the years—illustration, design, painting, tattooing, sculpture. It’s only recently that I’ve really started to feel like I’ve found my voice as an artist, and even that continues to evolve. It took a lot of time and a lot of “bad” art to get here. I always tell people: just keep showing up. That’s the only way you grow.
One tool that really helped me get unstuck creatively was the 100 Day Project—a challenge to commit to doing something creative every day for 100 days. The first time I participated, I decided to draw patterns on my iPad. Some days it felt easy and fun, and other days I hated everything I made. But that was kind of the point—learning to sit with the discomfort of imperfection and still keep going. The beauty of failure is that it means you’re pushing yourself. And that’s where the real growth happens.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My work spans across multiple disciplines—I’m a painter, designer, tattoo artist, and creative leader. As a Design Leader at Cisco, my work is rooted in structure, systems thinking, and collaboration. It’s precise and analytical, and I love the challenge of working within boundaries to create thoughtful, human-centered experiences.
As a fine artist, I make art that is much looser and more organic—hand-painted clothing and shoes, paper mache sculptures, and stick-and-poke tattoos. My work draws heavily from desert landscapes, folk and outsider art, cattle brands, hobo symbols, and the visual language of Far West Texas. That space—the wide open West—has been a huge source of inspiration for me, both visually and emotionally.
What I’m most proud of, though, is simply not giving up. When I was 22, I had a job in the fashion industry in New York that completely broke my spirit. I was convinced I was a terrible designer and maybe shouldn’t be doing this work at all. That kind of doubt was crushing, but I couldn’t suppress the urge to create. Even in the darkest moments, I kept making things—quietly, just for me. Working through that took years, but it shaped who I am and how I approach both design and art now.
I think what sets me apart is the ability to span a wide spectrum of creative practice—from the intuitive and expressive to the highly structured and strategic. I thrive when I have boundaries I can push. There’s something really satisfying about exploring the edges of what’s possible, and then finding a solution that’s both functional and expressive.
Whether I’m building a design system, painting a pair of overalls, or sculpting an altar out of cardboard and paper mache, my goal is always the same: to make something honest, thoughtful, and rooted in meaning.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My biggest advice for anyone just starting out is: keep showing up. Don’t wait for perfect inspiration or the right materials or the “ideal” time—just start. Make the thing. And then make the next thing. You’ll probably make a lot of stuff you don’t love at first, and that’s okay. That’s actually part of the process. Growth comes from doing the work, even when it feels messy or uncertain.
I wish someone had told me earlier that doubt is part of being a creative person—and that it doesn’t mean you’re not good enough. When I was younger, I really internalized criticism and setbacks. After a difficult experience in the fashion industry in my early 20s, I questioned whether I had any future in art or design at all. But the urge to create never left me, and eventually I realized that the only way forward was through. That experience made me more resilient, and it continues to shape how I approach my work.
I also encourage people to embrace constraints—whether it’s limited space, time, tools, or creative boundaries. Some of my best work has come out of limitations. Having a small studio space pushed me to get scrappy and inventive. Working in UX and systems design taught me how to be strategic and deliberate. I’ve learned that boundaries aren’t the enemy of creativity—they’re the framework we get to stretch and play within.
And finally, protect your energy. Especially if you’re working a full-time job while building your creative practice, boundaries are essential. Make space for rest, reflection, and the things that light you up. Your voice as an artist will continue to evolve over time, but the more you show up with honesty and curiosity, the more authentic and powerful it will become.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wawawawick/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauraworrick/
Image Credits
Brooks Burris
Laura Worrick
