Life and Work with Liz Lautrup

Today we’d like to introduce you to Liz Lautrup.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
As a kid, the youngest of four girls, I was “drawn” to create! I drew, colored, made ceramic objects from “clay” in my backyard, and made shrines with sticks and rocks. I always found great joy spending time in Nature and creating something new-something physical and tangible-that could convey something intangible. It’s strange looking back and discovering how these “projects” I did as a kid foreshadow the spiritual paintings I do today. As a teenager, I took classes with famous landscape painter John Osborne and became adept at landscape and still-life painting with watercolors. In middle school and high school, I designed and sewed my own clothing, including my prom gown.

Fast forward to 1996. I married and moved to Denver. As a working adult, all during a creative, yet practical career writing and developing corporate training programs here in Denver, I was always taking an art class of one kind or another in the evenings- painting, ceramics, and mixed media (at the Arvada Center or Art Students League of Denver). In 2002, when I became a mom for the second time, I decided to be a stay-at-home mom as my husband’s job was quite demanding. The transition to becoming a stay at home mom and sole family/house manager was the most challenging thing I’ve ever done, especially having no family in the area to support us. My difficulties at this time were exacerbated by health issues, that I now understand to be auto-immune-related. I began creating art on my own, in my home, whenever I could or felt well enough. Where before I painted landscapes and realistic pictures, I now had a strong need to express myself in a deeper way, so I began painting large, abstract, expressive paintings – first for myself, and then for others. What freedom! What joy! To play with color and texture, to create something totally unique and organic, to not have to “color within the lines!” Abstract Expressionists, like Joan Mitchell and Willem DeKoonig were my inspirations.

I painted with joy and love. I didn’t have a plan. All I knew is that I needed to keep doing what I was doing, whenever I could, in between whatever else life threw me. Then, a friend saw my artwork and offered to show my work at her business. In one night, I sold over half my paintings!

My first art business, Liz Lautrup Fine Art, was born. That was 2009.

Has it been a smooth road?
There have been some rocky roads through my journey and I know that they were necessary. I truly believe that without the health and emotional issues that plagued me during my forties, I would not be doing this work.
Finding inspiration, creative ideas, painting… these things always came naturally to me, but I have sometimes felt uncomfortable “putting myself out there”, being the center of attention, or “selling” my work so I knew I needed lots of support and help to market my artwork- to be a successful artist.

In my Fine Art Business, my challenge is actually too many ideas. I have to discipline myself to focus on something for enough time before I move on.

Joining an artist-owned and operated gallery (SYNC Gallery) was a pivotal step along the way for me. There, I have met fabulous artists, willing to share experiences with me, and inspiring me to reach higher creatively. It is also a wonderful place to exhibit my work and gain a wider audience. Creating a website has also been a wonderful tool to allow people to experience my work.

Another struggle along the way was finding the time and energy to paint and run my businesses with children and a house to run. I realized that, for me, I had to simply make progress each week, knowing that my progress was not going to be as fast as others who could work full time. It is amazing what you can accomplish by working a little bit each day. Patience has never been my strong suit but I have learned to embrace it.

Please tell us more about your artwork, what you are currently focused on and most proud of. What sets you apart from others?
I create original abstract works of art using acrylic paints, cold wax, oil paints, canvases and wood panels. Nothing brings me greater pleasure than when someone has an emotional or spiritual reaction to one of my paintings- when it moves them.

Since 2009, my original, abstract, paintings have found new “homes” in over fifty residences and offices around the Denver Metro area and throughout the US. I feel good knowing they bring beauty and good vibes to their spaces.

My passion for creating paintings was soon destined to mix with another of my passions, which grew from my difficult times.

When my son started school at Montessori at age three, his teacher invited me to one of the meditation classes she was holding. I began meditating with a group of moms and practicing on my own. I read many great spiritual authors including Deepak Chopra, Marianne Williamson, Louise Hay, David Fox, Yogananda, Eckhart Tolle, and others, and began to undergo private counseling, in an attempt to figure out what was going on. Something didn’t feel right. Looking back, I realize my body was giving me a spiritual “call to action.” I was undergoing a transformation. This “breaking” provided the proverbial “crack where the light comes in.” (Leonard Cohen) My health is now infinitely better and I feel as if a fog has been lifted.

I knew there were others who were going through difficult times in their lives and I knew I wanted to provide spiritual support for them. After years of soul-searching how to provide it, I began a new business called Brigantia Life Spark Paintings, a completely unique service where I hold meeting with my client to discover their gifts and their challenges and create a personal unique painting containing the essence of their gifts and messages. I often use Tarot cards, Angel cards and other tools to help receive these messages.

The process absolutely feeds my soul. Helping clients become their most authentic selves and use their gifts to help them navigate life’s turbulent times-that is my mission. I feel that if each one of us is our most authentic selves and acts from a place of non-ego, it could literally change the world.

In this culture, so focused on superficial and material things, I feel people are searching and needing something deeper and more connected and I am honored to be part of others’ journey to finding a more aware, authentic, connected life.

I am known for unique artwork and ability to connect with others at a deeper level. I am a good listener (a rare thing these days, I find), which is vital for my Brigantia Life Spark Paintings. I am also known for my use of color-I have an uncanny ability to remember, match and mix color and I love it.

I am most proud of the fact that I was courageous enough to have my first art show ten years ago at a friends’ business. I never thought I would ever do something like that. Being the center of attention has never been very easy for me but something magical happens when I have an art exhibit. I relax, open up and talk about my work freely. I feel there’s something beyond my that allows me to do this. It’s a sign that I am on the right path, doing what I’m meant to do right now.

What sets me apart is my combination of creativity, spirituality, and personal connection creates Fine Art and spiritual paintings that are very unique and personal.

Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well-positioned for?
I think women have always had power, influence, but now their influence is more in the public and out in the open and recognized by the obvious power structures.

I believe strongly that we need to let individuals exhibit their greatest qualities. Each of us has yin and yang. It is exciting to see that yin or feminine qualities, such as intuition and community-orientation, rather than competitiveness, are being embraced more in our society. As these qualities become a larger part of business and government systems, more balanced decisions will be made that serve our communities, rather than break them down.

Pricing:

• Liz Lautrup Fine Art Paintings range from $60 to $3500 depending on their size.
• Brigantia Life Spark Paintings are being offered for $250 for this 2019 year – includes 2 private consults, a Tarot card reading, and an original, personal painting.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lizlautrup.com
• Phone: 720-635-3666
• Email: lizlautrup4art@gmail.com
• Instagram: @lizlautrup

Image Credit:
Photography by Laura Brant, Rebecca Hoskins, Wendy Wood

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