Meet Laura Madden | Sustainable Fashion Advocate, Artist, Influencer
We had the good fortune of connecting with Laura Madden and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Laura, what habits do you feel play an important role in your life?
I do the hard things first. I am a wicked morning person, so I follow the energy and play to my strengths; I am most focused and sharp early on. It gives me confidence to see things to completion. I also have a burning desire to always do good and to help others in some way. I try to make sure I’m always doing that – to have had a positive imprint on someone, somehow as often as possible.
I am also always stretching my comfort zone by getting LIVE on my Instagram. Every week I do LIVE Art shows from @ReFashionedArt showing my art, speaking about it and sometimes hosting a sale as I’ll be doing this week (wink). For my birthday I am doing a huge closet cleanout sale on my originals and I really want as many as possible to go to a good home. So stay close to my Instagram! 
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am still pretty new to pursuing my art professionally- really just a year and a half in now, though I have been making my own art for my own homes for my entire adult life. My work has originated from my love of people, the planet, fashion, and uncovering beauty where it is not normally found- I call it ReFashioned Art. Refashioned Art is repurposed or upcycled art, utilizing items that may otherwise be discarded as trash, such as leftover packing materials and unrecyclables in my latest series ReFashion ReSculpt. I care deeply about sustainability, while also loving fashion and design. I rescue discarded art pieces and supplies to reduce unnecessary waste and conserve resources. My art demonstrates the merging of sustainability and style and I hope to inspire people to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle. I am a lifelong fashion and art lover, though it wasn’t until 2019 that I decided to pursue my art professionally and dedicate my craft to repurposing found items. I have exhibited at {9} Gallery (2x), Mood Room, Portland on the Park (2x), WAYLA and Renaissance Square, and most recently expanded online to shop.iamlauramadden.com, and to retail shops, such as Busted 2 Bangin Home Store, and a custom mural at FUSE LIVING. Art is a powerful medium to convey a larger narrative about our world and what is possible. Part of my mission is to get as much art and style into as many people’s lives and homes as I can. I am eager to leave a positive mark both near and far, in my own home city and the entire planet. Ultimately, my hope in building this brand is that it will make a difference for the environment and many people’s lives.
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?
There is so much to do here in my home city and this entire state! My latest favorite area to explore is Prescott, AZ, so we would have to take a quick drive to the North to my home there (currently under construction though), and hike the Thumb Butte Trail 33, then stop at the best coffee shop The Porch, and eat at our favorite spot for local and healthy fare Farm Provisions. Antique and vintage shopping there is also not to be missed, and lastly Watson Lake- breathtaking beauty! Back in Phoenix, an early hike through the Camelback trails or the Phoenix Preserve is a great way to start the day. We have some of the best sustainable shopping (ie. secondhand). To Be Continued, Resale Revolution, My Sister’s Closet, Goodwill- we will be doing that for sure! The Phoenix Art Museum is always a must-do and the current Fashion Exhibit there is extraordinary, Rudi Gernreich Fearless Fashion. My current favorite dinner spot is Francine and since I’m such an early riser I always make their happy hour- which has a standout menu btw! The octopus, Branzino, and striped bass are the best, and either a martini or a Prosecco please! I will always love the night views from The Jade Bar at Sanctuary for a night cap. Cheers!
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
WOW! SO MANY PEOPLE. Where do I start!? After these last few months, I want to pay grateful to the people that have believed in me and my art work- the people and business that have purchased from me and also sell my work. I know some of my work may seem eccentric and somewhat avant grade, but there are designers and businesses and organizations here that have helped me promote my work- that is everything right now because they are helping me build my reputation and build my brand. Some of those are Eric Jimenez of Busted 2 Bangin, Shannon Harris of Fuse Living, James Judge of The House Judge, Krista Kutac of UGlow Aesthetics, and Jaimee Rose Interiors.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am still pretty new to pursuing my art professionally- really just a year and a half in now, though I have been making my own art for my own homes for my entire adult life. My work has originated from my love of people, the planet, fashion, and uncovering beauty where it is not normally found- I call it ReFashioned Art. Refashioned Art is repurposed or upcycled art, utilizing items that may otherwise be discarded as trash, such as leftover packing materials and unrecyclables in my latest series ReFashion ReSculpt. I care deeply about sustainability, while also loving fashion and design. I rescue discarded art pieces and supplies to reduce unnecessary waste and conserve resources. My art demonstrates the merging of sustainability and style and I hope to inspire people to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle. I am a lifelong fashion and art lover, though it wasn’t until 2019 that I decided to pursue my art professionally and dedicate my craft to repurposing found items. I have exhibited at {9} Gallery (2x), Mood Room, Portland on the Park (2x), WAYLA and Renaissance Square, and most recently expanded online to shop.iamlauramadden.com, and to retail shops, such as Busted 2 Bangin Home Store, and a custom mural at FUSE LIVING. Art is a powerful medium to convey a larger narrative about our world and what is possible. Part of my mission is to get as much art and style into as many people’s lives and homes as I can. I am eager to leave a positive mark both near and far, in my own home city and the entire planet. Ultimately, my hope in building this brand is that it will make a difference for the environment and many people’s lives.
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?
There is so much to do here in my home city and this entire state! My latest favorite area to explore is Prescott, AZ, so we would have to take a quick drive to the North to my home there (currently under construction though), and hike the Thumb Butte Trail 33, then stop at the best coffee shop The Porch, and eat at our favorite spot for local and healthy fare Farm Provisions. Antique and vintage shopping there is also not to be missed, and lastly Watson Lake- breathtaking beauty! Back in Phoenix, an early hike through the Camelback trails or the Phoenix Preserve is a great way to start the day. We have some of the best sustainable shopping (ie. secondhand). To Be Continued, Resale Revolution, My Sister’s Closet, Goodwill- we will be doing that for sure! The Phoenix Art Museum is always a must-do and the current Fashion Exhibit there is extraordinary, Rudi Gernreich Fearless Fashion. My current favorite dinner spot is Francine and since I’m such an early riser I always make their happy hour- which has a standout menu btw! The octopus, Branzino, and striped bass are the best, and either a martini or a Prosecco please! I will always love the night views from The Jade Bar at Sanctuary for a night cap. Cheers!
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
WOW! SO MANY PEOPLE. Where do I start!? After these last few months, I want to pay grateful to the people that have believed in me and my art work- the people and business that have purchased from me and also sell my work. I know some of my work may seem eccentric and somewhat avant grade, but there are designers and businesses and organizations here that have helped me promote my work- that is everything right now because they are helping me build my reputation and build my brand. Some of those are Eric Jimenez of Busted 2 Bangin, Shannon Harris of Fuse Living, James Judge of The House Judge, Krista Kutac of UGlow Aesthetics, and Jaimee Rose Interiors.
Website: https://shop.iamlauramadden.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reFashionedArt/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maddenlaura/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamlauramadden
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/laura.madden.56
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYFWDmP0Lot2cvszIG9s4VQ
Other: https://www.iamlauramadden.com/ (2nd website) https://www.instagram.com/iamlauramadden/ (2nd Instagram) https://www.instagram.com/two_pretty_birds/ (3rd Instagram)
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
