Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Roux.
Laura, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Somewhere in between surviving breast cancer twice, treatments, and the deaths of several close family members, I realized life is short and quit my job in travel to pursue my love of art. I have my Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in art metals. I worked briefly in metals at Glassell School of Art after moving to Houston. But, having been a seamstress all of my life, I started to gravitate towards fiber arts. I became very involved in the fiber arts community after finding an amazing group of fiber artists that met monthly near my house. Several years later, I was on a trip to San Francisco and wandered into a glass art gallery. They had a video playing of the process of making glass art. It changed my focus immediately. I started taking classes to learn glass fusing and casting. I found out my friend, Michele Collins had an interest in glass too. We travel around the country to take glass classes and set up a studio together. As an artist, I feel it’s important to explore different mediums to find out what feels most comfortable. I believe I have found my niche in glass.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of my challenges was learning to accept that I can express myself in different mediums. I always looked at other artists and said, they are a painter, a poet, a sculptor…I realized it’s possible to not be defined in one category. It was very freeing to me to accept that if you are creative, you can just create whatever makes you happy at the moment. Some days I feel like being structured and linear, other days I’m very fluid. I make my art for me. It’s what gets me up in the mornings. Another obstacle has been selling my work. I do sell my pieces, but I am not at all interested in the business aspect of art. I just want to make it. My ideal situation would be to make my pieces and have someone else do the business part.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I work mainly in fused and cast glass. I make wall pieces, boxes with crystals, vases, bowls, and sculptural 3-dimensional pieces. My travels have a big influence on my art. My Caribbean travels are some of my main inspirations. I spend a lot of time swimming, snorkeling and reading books about the sea. Much of my work is idealized and abstract interpretations of ocean life, butterflies, birds, nature, moons, dreams and space. I use a lot of color, textures and patterns. I take great pride in every piece I make. It’s hard to part with my art because I have poured so much of myself into my work.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
There are too many people to list that have helped me out in my journey. I’m lucky to have friends and family that have always given me encouragement to keep doing what I’m doing. My fabulous fiber arts family helped get me back into art full time and understood my passion. Having Michele Collins to be there as my studio partner and friend has helped keep me sane these past several years and is a great sounding board for ideas and techniques. I have regular art talks with my friend, Scott to keep me focused. I especially want to thank my husband, Bob for supporting me in my decision to quit my job and pursue art full time.
Contact Info:
- Website: LauraRoux.com
- Instagram: Ljroux12
- Facebook: Laura Roux Art
Image Credits
Rick Wells Photography
