As an artist, my quest towards finding my painting style has been filled with exploration. It began in my grandparents art studio as a child, the walls were adorned with their masterpieces. During each visit they generously imparted their techniques, and we would practice side by side. I found it hard to emulate their style, trying to capture the essence of what made their art so captivating made me feel amiture.

As I continued to paint, I discovered new brush stroke techniques that allowed me to express my ideas in unique and compelling ways. I found that not fully mixing each color left an array of colliding colors on the brush. My paintings became more and more abstract as a focused less on recreating reality, and more on the color pallete of the painting and how it made me feel.

However, not every painting was a success. I encountered pieces that didn't align with my original vision or failed to convey the emotions I wanted to evoke. Instead of getting discouraged, I learned to embrace the learning process and paint over those works that didn't resonate with me. Each layer of paint became a canvas for growth. The layers were a new feature of the work itself.

I found myself drawn to blending different styles together in one piece. Instead of starting over, mixing and merging 2-3 paintings to create works like nothing I had never seen before. I finally started to feel like my work was actually mine.

Colors became my playground, and I eagerly explored new combinations. I fell in love with the vibrancy of fluorescent pinks and oranges, infusing my art with an electrifying energy that made it stand out.

As I continued to paint, a profound realization settled within me – I felt most alive when creating bold and happy art that brought joy to others. Seeing the delight on my audience's faces filled my heart with immense satisfaction, and I knew I had found something worth pursuing.

Now, I paint with a renewed sense of purpose, embracing the uniqueness of my style, and unapologetically sharing my intuition through my art. Each stroke, color, and brush technique comes together to create a visual symphony. I embrace the messy.

My painting style is a reflection of my journey – an amalgamation of influences, experimentation, and self-discovery. It is a testament to the joy and fulfillment that art brings to my life, and I am excited to continue growing and evolving as an artist, forever committed to bringing my bold creations into the world.

—Lauren Liz