Daily Inspiration: Meet Laura Madden

Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Madden.

Hi Laura, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story. 
I have always been an artist, though I did not decide to pursue my Art professionally until late 2019. I actually started my professional life in fitness after earning a degree in Kinesiology/ Physiology; then, after 15 years, I moved into fashion, focusing on advocating for sustainable fashion through styling, personal shopping, writing, speaking, and influencer campaigns.

It literally got to a point where all I wanted to do was paint- and I just couldn’t outrun it anymore. It became clear that Art was what I was meant to do with my life. Funny, I always knew Art was what I would do if I ever got to retire or, say, won the Powerball- which I knew would likely never happen- yet still, I could never accept myself as an artist, nor did I take my passion seriously.

On some level, I think maybe it came too easy for me. I always had a belief that your career had to involve some level of struggle- that it had to just feel like a ‘job.’ Creating Artwork has never felt like a job, even when working on commissions- it is pure joy, play, and exploration of a deeper level of myself.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
One thing that took me by surprise was how much I’ve enjoyed filming live video on my Instagram @ReFashionedArt, which helped me develop my voice speaking about my work, digital marketing, and continuing to sell art. I would have NEVER gotten on a live video -felt way too vulnerable for me!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I paint 2d & 3d abstract modern art that adds a fashionable edge to your walls, and will transform how your home looks and feels. My Art is made using reclaimed materials to align with my mission of merging style + sustainability. I specialize in creating experiential artwork, have a love for black and white palettes, colorful and empowering graffiti art style abstracts, and, most recently, my 3D sculptural works, which are made using reclaimed fabrics.

I am currently working with fashion designers Ruby Farias (Scottsdale) and Mark Pomerantz (Newport Beach and Scottsdale) to reimagine fabric remnants from their designs into transformational sculptural Artworks- they are like fashion for your walls. A new and exciting ‘of the moment’ project I am working on is my Chef Series Artwork which is a partnership with local celebrity and James Beard Award Winning Chef Christopher Gross…

In May I participated in Chef’s fundraising event for the American Liver Foundation, FLAVORS, a culinary event of a lifetime. I created a custom Chef Series sculptural Artwork using a signature ‘Christopher’s’ Chef coat, which was auctioned off live during the evening. It was an incredible opportunity to contribute to this organization and was a huge success!

Details: https://alfflavors.org/

What were you like growing up?
I have always been very into art, beautiful things, fashion, design, and cars! To be a fashion designer was my childhood dream… I was always sketching and creating weird stuff out of odds and ends- styling and restyling my Barbies, cabbage patch dolls, even my truck collection- and my little brother (poor kid!).

I created my first mural in my bedroom when I was about 14 years old and was in complete awe of how empowered I felt with that huge wall of Artwork staring back at me. It was then that I first realized that Art was in fact transformational. I did not have the words for it, but I sure did experience it- I was changed.

Unfortunately, my mom was not ‘transformed’ by it in the same way I was, and I was scolded for painting my wall. I decided right then that I wasn’t ever going to do that again… so I guess it’s no surprise that it took me well into my 40s to rediscover that I am in fact an Artist, and I have been all along.

Pricing:

• $50+ for prints and acrylics
• $500- $10,000 for original artwork
• Available for commissions. Please contact me for details and pricing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://shop.iamlauramadden.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reFashionedArt/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.madden.56
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maddenlaura/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamlauramadden
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYFWDmP0Lot2cvszIG9s4VQ

Image Credits
Kavan Lake Photography
Catherine Anaya
David & Leenie Engel