Meet Laura Blue Palmer | Fine Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Laura Blue Palmer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laura Blue, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?

This is a question that I have thought about off and on throughout my entire art career. Given the nature of the business, artists’ tend to go through a lot of highs and lows. For me, it is like being on a roller coaster at times, when things go well, I see a lot of inquiries, emails, action on social media, acceptance, and monetary abundance. This is the time that feels the most refreshing and relaxing, I can produce freely and feel like my life’s work is getting places and resonating with people.

When things go the opposite direction, the pesky feelings of defeat can settle in strongly. One negative thing such as a rejection letter, can really set off the momentum and create weeks or even months of sluggish feelings of defeat and sadness.

I think the bigger picture is that art lives within, there is no way to turn it off. I have tried giving it up in the past, it simply doesn’t work for me. In life, we must face our down’s and recognize and identify the problem and brush off the negativity. I have two children and I often reference my own experiences of feeling defeated in my art life to them so that they see that rejection feelings can be converted into becoming important life lessons. New windows will open up later on. Who was it that said, the sun always shines after the rain? I like that message.

My last tip on not giving up? Get outdoors, nature heals. Take a break, dust yourself off, then get back to it!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I am mostly known for making landscape oil paintings. I started making this work when I lived in Bozeman, MT and was frequenting Yellowstone and doing quite a bit of hiking and backpacking in and around the area with my husband Mike. I have collected my ideas through nature and the outdoors. My landscapes are about color and light. People who collect these paintings often tell me that they remind them of places they have actually visited or have seen in a dream. I think my landscape oils come from a place deep within my soul, places I wish to visit. They are formatted to trigger emotion and memory. I always wanted my work to resonate with people who need to escape, maybe someone has a busy city life and they don’t get to experience nature every day and through my work, I wish to create a way that the viewer feels more calm and relaxed.

I began making realistic bird paintings after we moved to Missoula, MT about 8 years ago. Now I have a pretty large body of realistic bird paintings. We bought our home in the county and our home has an abundant bird habitat. My husband is a Wildlife Biologist and we have quite a few books about birds and animals. I figured the best way to get to know our feathered neighbors was to start painting them! Each bird I make is a celebration of their species made in portrait format, with knifed in branching. They are very realistic yet colorful. They are an utter joy to paint.

Because I have a busy mind, another way to break up the space is to make linear abstract paintings. I have a large body of this work and growing. These are about nature, geology, and human experiences in exploring colors and line work. I think that this work really helps me let go of myself, they are freeing and flow so easily for me. They are thoughtful in breaking up spaces while also creating balance with effective color application. These are unique and modern and I just love making them.

I would say that what sets me apart in the art world is that I can steadily maintain my love of using color and and blending paints in several styles and still be unapologetically me. I am unique and consider myself to be spiritual in my practice. I have never wanted to be boxed into one genre. I really have learned over time to trust my intuition and to be somewhat fearless in a saturated environment. I am grateful that now it is easier to share art and become connected with other artists through social media. I have learned much patience and learned to relax into myself more. The years have taught me that I am here to share my work with the world and that there is a place for me.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

This is a great question. I have two friends visiting next week and coming for concerts. We see a lot of live music and we happen to live in a place where live music comes to us! Our friends are coming from Colorado to see Billy Strings at the Kettlehouse Amphitheater which is incredible and on the Blackfoot River! We will be entertaining them and attending two nights of amazing bluegrass jam music! We live on the river, we have kayaks, during the day, we hope to float!  We are lucky to be able to navigate a gentle stretch of the Clark Fork River. After we float, we may choose to BBQ at the house or head downtown and have dinner at the Camino Restaurant. They have delicious food and margaritas. Walking downtown after dinner is a must, ice cream at Sweet Peaks, and walking the river trail and visiting Caras Park is essential. The next day, we will hike up to Blue Mountain for either morning or evening hikes.

Extended visits with friends coming to town include a trip to Glacier National Park and camping at Fish Creek Campground on Lake McDonald. You can home base out of the campground and visit the scenic trails over Going to the Sun Road, one of my favorite scenic hikes is Pigean Pass.

Missoula is an excellent destination, the spring and summer are my favorite times to be here. There is endless hiking and yummy restaurants, Boxcar Bistro is one of my favorites and you can’t go wrong getting a bite at the Top Hat!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

First, I would like to thank Jen Smith for linking me up to this publication. Jen was my studio mate many years ago in Bozeman, MT. I really credit her for sharing her joy in art making. Sharing a space with her was unforgettable, not only is Jen supremely gifted, but she is also hilarious and fun! She is a beacon of strength having gone through a recent cancer diagnosis, she is someone who overcame so many things in her life, she has beautiful stories to tell. Jen is full of love and grace, her drawings reflect the amazing person she is.

My dad, Charles S. Palmer is someone I would like to recognize. My dad has selflessly given 100% love and support to facilitate and encourage an art career for me. He has watched me fall and rise, has lifted me up when I needed it most, and is an endless cheerleader in watching me grow as an artist and as a parent. I know how much he (and my entire family) believe in me, with his help, I can believe in myself too.

Website: https://www.laurablueart.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurablueart/

Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/lbpstars

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laurablueart

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCK9GtJRL0MlqmEf9arJB7nQ

Image Credits
https://mairajenksfotografia.pixieset.com/