I find myself at a loss to tell you how it all began. I have been an artistic soul since I was a little girl. It wasn't until a few years ago that the painting and the wood work came to fruition. With a hysterical and comical lesson from my father on how to use a jig saw (thank you dad for not dying from laughter) and many long nights of preparing for various craft shows, I found myself in love with the creation of new things. Wanting to see what I could come up with and bringing it to life. With the loss of my partner in 2006 and a long unwanted hiatus, I longed to paint once more. God's timing is amazing...In the spring of 2007, I was asked to paint some signs for a gentleman who was an active member in the Parrothead club on Cedar Creek Lake. I was excited but I was also scared I wouldn't deliver...It took a while to pick up my brush, but I knew the only thing holding me back was fear. What if he didn't like it? I was terrified. After many hours, the designs were painted as he had requested with a few changes from the pictures we had found and modified. It was then, looking at the signs, that I thought, "I really can do this..."
In the fall of 2007, a dear friend of my parents', who lived on the coast of Galveston, asked if I would paint the "flamingo chair." It was a daunting task at first. I was afraid of how I would restore and bring to life this chair that had weathered with age. After many hours of sanding and basecoating, I was ready to "create". This design was a little more fearful since I had no picture to work with. It is amazing to now look back and see what I have done. I know that I am in no way an expert, and I have no self confidence in my work, but to have a gift given to me and to finally FIND it, is my one of my greatest accomplishments. It is my desire to paint. It comforts me...I enjoy it...it brings me peace. I also have a lot of fun doing it. I may not be the next Picasso but I can tell you this...I will give it all I've got.
Courage is fear that has said its prayers and so with a courageous heart and the fear contained, I pray for a great adventure. I pray that I can continue to paint and create treasured pieces for those people who put their confidence in me. I paint with the best of inspiration...Laurie Cole Designs would not have come to life without the taste of failure, the courage to start over, and the family encouragement from those who constantly lift me up and push me to a limit I had not once thought possible...
Laurie and her husband, Chad... |
