Blog

*Danish Dude (NYC Real Estate Power House Bo Poulsen) interviews LL*

 Laura and I met at an event several years ago and shared a common interest in art and design.  We recently reconnected to discuss her background, inspiration, process, favorite NYC neighborhoods, and upcoming shows.

BP: You are an artist who depicts NYC through your work. When did your love for NYC begin?

LL: I grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta, GA and always had my sights set on New York City. My obsession with the cultural capital of the free world began in the 5th grade when my parents finally allowed me to have a subscription to Vogue magazine. Images of New York City filled the pages and it was obvious, even to a 10 year old, that this was a great place to be for artists, entrepreneurs and taste makers of all kinds.

BP: What inspires you most about NYC?

LL: I love all the cliché expansive views of the skyline. Looking back at the city from a boat or the shores of Brooklyn is a great reminder of what an impressive metropolis Manhattan really is.

However, “people watching” is really where it’s at for me. I see at least a dozen characters a day that I want to put in one of my paintings. I enjoy the visual smorgasbord of getting off the subway in Williamsburg and seeing all the groovy hipsters or taking a trip to Madison Avenue where fashionistas are taking it to a new level. I even see characters when watching Corporate America march to work in Midtown.

On Mother’s Day, I was in Washington Square Park with my husband and daughter enjoying the perfect weather. The park was filled with beautiful families of incredible diversity celebrating together. Who wouldn’t want a painting of that?

BP: What are some of ur fave pieces? Please tell us about them.

LL: Lady Liberty – Hands down, my favorite image is Lady Liberty. She is the first painting I created after moving to New York in the summer of 2000, which is where I’ve always wanted to live. I was 30 when I finally made it here. I always have felt like this image is a kind of a victory painting. Sometimes, I think it may be a self-portrait of sorts. There is such an optimism and magic about this painting that even I don’t understand. Lady Liberty helped me launch my career as a full-time artist and she brought me my first real commercial success. I have sold Lady Liberty again and again. I have been commissioned to paint her in all sizes, in daytime settings, in nighttime settings, for both public and private collectors. She hangs in almost every state in the U.S. and many countries all over the world. One of my former art professors once asked me if I ever tired of painting her. I don’t, and I continue to see her in new ways.

Pardon my French – This is one of my latest works. It is a controversial and humorous piece made to help the world at large with criticism. You can read about this special piece on my blog here – Studio Laura Loving.

My process starts with an idea followed by preparation, procrastination, self-deprecation, pontification, coffee, NPR, music and finally creation of a few pieces of art I can be proud of. I love to work and am grateful of each opportunity I have to do so. I find just as much pleasure in creating my big commercial projects as I do the more artsy and unique ones.