meet our Interview guest
LAURA BRADY
Laura A. Brady was first noticed with her gifting for fine art at an early age. She continued education in illustration & graphic design. After receiving a Bachelors in Fine Art, she worked in the graphic design field for many years until The Lord led her to find a true passion in painting. Laura continues to explore & unravel nature, inspired by the countryside where she resides. Many have applauded dynamism and bold impressionism bestowing upon the viewer a new & unforgettable perspective.
Instagram: @laurabradystudio
Website: https://laurabradystudio.com
Facebook: Laura Brady
Instagram: @laurabradystudio
Website: https://laurabradystudio.com
Facebook: Laura Brady
Can you tell us about your introduction to art? How did you know you had a creative gift?
I can remember as far back as five years old when I received this giant case of Crayola markers. It was glorious! It was almost like someone gave me gold! I cherished this time drawing with my older sister. My desire to create just grew with each passing day. In elementary school, I remember always being excited for art class and it continued throughout my general education. If anyone was looking for me, they would find me in the the art room! I couldn’t get enough of it and I would create constantly. My main focus in high school was working with giant pastel murals. I loved to draw portraits of classmates and make murals for the school. It was exciting to see my my art connected to people and really touch their hearts. Then I attended college and earned a Bachelors in Fine Art, in which I studied Communication Design with three concentrations: Graphic Design, Illustration and Advertising.
Did you ever think you’d be selling your art, or teaching art?
I always imagined selling my art. I’d set up an office when I was a little girl, pretending I was an advertising executive, and in high school I started a logo design business. I posted signs around town. It was so fun! I believe, I have always fostered the entrepreneurial spirit and desired to work in the field of art/graphic marketing design.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have in explaining what you do to others who don’t find themselves in a creative background or field? Life family/friends/strangers?
I tend to struggle with certain people not taking my work seriously because I have a “fun” job and I “get to work from home”. While I love my profession, it still is work and actually sometimes more work than the typical job, as an sole entrepreneur, I wear ALL the hats of the business . However, I have learned to deflect the comments from the ones that don’t understand my
business. I also set boundaries with my time, which means I don’t take a call at just anytime in the day from people who don’t understand working from home still requires professional hours. Also, as far as people not understanding art, I like to align with the idea that God speaks to people differently. Not all people are moved by art, and that’s okay! He uses different forms and avenues to pursue ones heart.
It’s not my job to make someone “get it”, nor gain acceptance from people through my art. I am called to keep pursuing my art even if someone doesn’t understand it or I don’t feel accepted. Actively pursuing my calling, no matter the
circumstances, opens unseen avenues of blessings for not only myself but for others.
I can remember as far back as five years old when I received this giant case of Crayola markers. It was glorious! It was almost like someone gave me gold! I cherished this time drawing with my older sister. My desire to create just grew with each passing day. In elementary school, I remember always being excited for art class and it continued throughout my general education. If anyone was looking for me, they would find me in the the art room! I couldn’t get enough of it and I would create constantly. My main focus in high school was working with giant pastel murals. I loved to draw portraits of classmates and make murals for the school. It was exciting to see my my art connected to people and really touch their hearts. Then I attended college and earned a Bachelors in Fine Art, in which I studied Communication Design with three concentrations: Graphic Design, Illustration and Advertising.
Did you ever think you’d be selling your art, or teaching art?
I always imagined selling my art. I’d set up an office when I was a little girl, pretending I was an advertising executive, and in high school I started a logo design business. I posted signs around town. It was so fun! I believe, I have always fostered the entrepreneurial spirit and desired to work in the field of art/graphic marketing design.
What are some of the biggest challenges you have in explaining what you do to others who don’t find themselves in a creative background or field? Life family/friends/strangers?
I tend to struggle with certain people not taking my work seriously because I have a “fun” job and I “get to work from home”. While I love my profession, it still is work and actually sometimes more work than the typical job, as an sole entrepreneur, I wear ALL the hats of the business . However, I have learned to deflect the comments from the ones that don’t understand my
business. I also set boundaries with my time, which means I don’t take a call at just anytime in the day from people who don’t understand working from home still requires professional hours. Also, as far as people not understanding art, I like to align with the idea that God speaks to people differently. Not all people are moved by art, and that’s okay! He uses different forms and avenues to pursue ones heart.
It’s not my job to make someone “get it”, nor gain acceptance from people through my art. I am called to keep pursuing my art even if someone doesn’t understand it or I don’t feel accepted. Actively pursuing my calling, no matter the
circumstances, opens unseen avenues of blessings for not only myself but for others.
How do you encounter the Lord in your creativity?
I encounter the Lord through my creativity, when I invite Him to my canvas!! He’s always present, but He loves invitations!! I typically work with worship music playing in my studio, so as I paint I sing and worship Jesus! He shows up and speaks to me as I’m painting. It is like I’m actually on a expedition with Him as I’m painting. So with the flowers we are traveling through every petal! He uncovers the unseen so I can paint it. It’s completely wild and exciting!
What are your favorite ways to express your creativity?
The time with Jesus at my easel is priceless. To me, painting is one of my favorite ways to express my creativity and partner with Jesus to release a piece of heaven here on earth.
Is there more than one creative outlet for you? Do they all come together or totally separate?
Yes— I also enjoy graphic design, creative marketing, photography, and web design, and yes, I believe all forms of my creativity work together. Jesus has shown me nothing is wasted!! So while painting is a different way to express my creativity, all of these aspects converge to build my business.
Are others in your family creative too?
Yes, I come from a creative family. My father is a musician, and my sister an art teacher. Now I see creativity in my children. It’s exciting to encourage their creativity.
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
I feel the Lord is calling me to reach hearts of individuals that don’t know Jesus through my art. The Lord has shown me everything is prophetic, even if it doesn’t initially seem to be the typical way God speaks. For instance, a flower painting can hold a prophetic message from The Lord and can unlock the key to healing or salvation for an individual. This is because it is an avenue for the Holy Spirit to move through a heart connection. As a painter, my work is conduit for the Holy Spirit to move!
Some practical steps you'd encourage other creatives to take to become productive and learn business skills etc.?
Some practical steps to build your creative business would be to write down a schedule or routine, and also focus
on seeking clear boundaries with yourself and people around you. This means to take yourself serious!! Schedule creative time. Schedule marketing time. Schedule connecting with clients time. You are both the boss and the employee.
Any encouraging words, words of wisdom from what you've learned to help other creatives on their journey to being abundant and thriving artists/creatives/makers?
I encourage you to be you in your creativity! Don't just create something because it’s the popular or trendy item to create/paint/sell. Create what God has called you to create even if it doesn’t seem like a marketable piece. The world needs your creative vision because it is a piece of God that only you can share. With your eyes focused on Jesus, your creativity and
business will grow. He holds the key to your artistic growth.
I encounter the Lord through my creativity, when I invite Him to my canvas!! He’s always present, but He loves invitations!! I typically work with worship music playing in my studio, so as I paint I sing and worship Jesus! He shows up and speaks to me as I’m painting. It is like I’m actually on a expedition with Him as I’m painting. So with the flowers we are traveling through every petal! He uncovers the unseen so I can paint it. It’s completely wild and exciting!
What are your favorite ways to express your creativity?
The time with Jesus at my easel is priceless. To me, painting is one of my favorite ways to express my creativity and partner with Jesus to release a piece of heaven here on earth.
Is there more than one creative outlet for you? Do they all come together or totally separate?
Yes— I also enjoy graphic design, creative marketing, photography, and web design, and yes, I believe all forms of my creativity work together. Jesus has shown me nothing is wasted!! So while painting is a different way to express my creativity, all of these aspects converge to build my business.
Are others in your family creative too?
Yes, I come from a creative family. My father is a musician, and my sister an art teacher. Now I see creativity in my children. It’s exciting to encourage their creativity.
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
I feel the Lord is calling me to reach hearts of individuals that don’t know Jesus through my art. The Lord has shown me everything is prophetic, even if it doesn’t initially seem to be the typical way God speaks. For instance, a flower painting can hold a prophetic message from The Lord and can unlock the key to healing or salvation for an individual. This is because it is an avenue for the Holy Spirit to move through a heart connection. As a painter, my work is conduit for the Holy Spirit to move!
Some practical steps you'd encourage other creatives to take to become productive and learn business skills etc.?
Some practical steps to build your creative business would be to write down a schedule or routine, and also focus
on seeking clear boundaries with yourself and people around you. This means to take yourself serious!! Schedule creative time. Schedule marketing time. Schedule connecting with clients time. You are both the boss and the employee.
Any encouraging words, words of wisdom from what you've learned to help other creatives on their journey to being abundant and thriving artists/creatives/makers?
I encourage you to be you in your creativity! Don't just create something because it’s the popular or trendy item to create/paint/sell. Create what God has called you to create even if it doesn’t seem like a marketable piece. The world needs your creative vision because it is a piece of God that only you can share. With your eyes focused on Jesus, your creativity and
business will grow. He holds the key to your artistic growth.