Tell All Tuesday ~ Featured Artist: Laura Opal

Hi guys

Happy September,

I've a new exciting artist interview for you today, as quite a spiritual 'new agey' type person myself I'm really happy to share with you this weeks artist, 

hope you enjoy the interview =)

Tell us a little bit about yourself & what kind of artist you are.
I always have a hard job describing my work. Mainly it has quite a spiritual theme: Ancient Goddesses, Totem Animals etc. I write for and illustrate a lot of New Age type books and magazines. I've always loved everything spiritual and of course I love art, so its nice to bring two loves of mine together. I've always had a huge passion for art and last year I decided I would give being an artist a go as it had always been my biggest dream. It was hard putting my work out there as I am so critical of my work and thought everyone else would be. But I had a good response and after a while I managed to get work. Its been a dream come true!

What is the biggest challenge you personally face as an artist and how do you overcome it?
I would say my biggest challenge is putting too much pressure on myself for things to turn out perfect. As I get older I'm getting better at not being as obsessed with perfection. For example: Instead of wishing I could paint/draw super realistically I work with what I can do.

Do you think you have achieved a uniquely recognisable style as an artist, or do you find it a struggle to find your own style?
I fought against my own style of art for years. Now I embrace it. I'd say I have three styles depending on what the work asks of me. When you're younger and newer to art it can be difficult to find your own style as quite often we try and paint like famous artists we admire and look up too. In time and with practise you settle into things and get your own recognisable style.

What is your greatest personal achievement either in your art, or because of it?
My greatest achievement was to see my illustration in a book for the first time. Its something I had always dreamt of and it happened. No matter what I achieve in the future I have that!

Tell us where can we find out more about you & your art? 

http://29art.blogspot.co.uk/

Thank you so much for sharing Laura, firstly I LOVE the painting of Isis that you shared (first photo) so gorgeous and colourful and exactly how I imagine ancient life in Egypt to be. Secondly I love what you were said regarding being a perfectionist and fighting against your own (naturally occurring I'm guessing) style of art, I've had my own learning curves with those issues this year and too think it's important to emphasize as much as possible to work with what we have now & release those pressures of things in our art that essentially take the joy out of doing it in the first place. Thirdly LOVE your last name, very jealous you are named after a crystal ;)

Guess what? I'm looking for artists to interview

Do you want to join the TAT ranks??

To be featured email me or find all the details here =)