Meet Lauren Breaux | Painter, Creator, Nature Enthusiast, and End of Life Doula

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lauren Breaux and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lauren, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I believe anyone who wants to forge a path that is even slightly out of the box is going to have to accept risk as a big factor. Honestly, everyone no matter your life plan should find some comfort in taking risks. For me risk has played a huge part in getting me where I am Today, risk or simply taking chances on myself and my art. Moving from my home town to create in a place that really inspired me, was a risk. Quitting my day job to follow my art, definitely a risk. Those are the obvious ones. Coming up this summer I’ll be taking another big risk moving to create in New Mexico. Let’s be real though, in all creative fields risk is a daily thing, let’s call it little risks. When I choose to paint a sky a color I never have before, that’s a risk. It’s small, but it still counts as taking a chance. I think if we can get comfortable with the little risks, acknowledge the little ways we take chances, the big risks don’t feel so big. Sort of like building your ‘risk confidence’.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am known mostly for my acrylic paintings using vibrant, sometimes surreal colors schemes to capture people. For the last year and a half I have been exhibiting a collection called ‘Mardi Gras Morning’ and I am so incredibly proud of it. People often express to me that they feel emotion through the brush strokes and colors, that is because I strive to paint pieces they way they felt rather then simply what they look like. I work primarily from photos I take because how am I supposed to know what the energy was like if I wasn’t there? I got where I am today simply by not quitting, because trust me there are tons of times quitting seemed easier. At the end of the day it’s the hours you put into your craft and your determination. My husband (a fellow creative) has said to me ‘When you have your art, no one can touch you’. I think of that so often when things feel hard or even impossible, because yes running your own art based business so often feels impossible. When you’re creating something you really care about, it’s coming from your heart, no one else gets to decide anything about it. It’s yours. Remembering that and not getting caught up in what I think people want me to paint, or what I think is going to sell, etc. Look you do have to think a little about what will sell, that’s a slippery slope though and you really have to make sure you don’t let that steer you. My art has become my business and for me it’s most important that I remind myself it’s my art before its my business.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My shoutout goes directly to my amazing community here in New Orleans. It would be too hard to narrow it down to any specific person, but anytime I have felt down on my art or business this place has lifted me back up. This magical community is so positive, nothing you want to do is ever too out there or too weird. If you need hands, supplies, or help, the people of this city typically rise to the occasion. It really is a community where you can experiment and try whatever you want, you’re going to stumble upon people who really dig it and encourage you to continue. That means so much as an artist because I don’t think everywhere is like that. The people of this city gave me my first gallery exhibits and art markets. They have given me my first commissions and collaborative projects. Mardi Gras krewes have trusted me to create art for their parades. It’s part of why I paint carnival so much, those beautiful interesting people in the paintings are why I do what I do. They are my inspiration and I usually just hope that when they see themselves in my art pieces they feel my deep gratitude and remember how amazing they are.

Website: laurenmariebreaux.com

Instagram: @laurenmariebreaux

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurenmariebreaux

Other: https://www.patreon.com/laurenmariebreaux