Laura Lee's art is vibrant and resonate, and it far extends beyond her colorful canvases.
When you enter her 100-year-old Texas bungalow (a bright and sunny yellow cottage with a wide Texas porch), the artistry is tactile and seeps through every inch. There are carefully curated layers of antiques, interesting and colorful furniture, modern art, folk art animals by textile artist, Meredith Hadaway, and contrasting patterns that all weave together seamlessly. What exactly is her style? "I'd say its Victorian Ecclectic meets Bohemian or Victorian Boho," she says with a laugh.
Seated on the bright pink velvet side chair is the real star of the show, Lee's small terrier, Toby. "He saved me in so many ways," says Lee as she hugs the small dog. He licks her on the face and she laughs. "It's all so simple for him: it's about love. Before he came, I was so concerned with being MORE. Being thinner, prettier, more talented, richer. I guess the American Dream of getting more stuff and being better. Then Toby came and it was all love and I was enough already. I didn't need to be anything but me. And I thought wow, this is a game changer." Lee was previously known for her work in symbolist portraiture which she showed in The Jung Center Houston and RTexas Gallery and which has been collected nationally. "I love portraiture and I love meaning, so really it was a perfect match. But after 10 years the process got tiresome. After Toby came, I decided to try abstract, and I had that joy again: the fun was back. I realized I was trying to prove my worth through art, and by moving on I was free to be whole."
We follow Lee through her house (where she points out the back hallway that used to be a porch) to her bright 1920's kitchen. The original cabinets line the back wall accented by black and white checkerboard tile and a salvaged antique window that casts a red glow on the floor. There on the opposite wall is her latest piece: The connected 8 small canvases that separate as individual pieces and yet form one giant masterpiece. The concept is novel and interesting, and a touch genius. Where did she come up with it? "I'm actually lucky to have the best brother and sister-in-law in the world who happen to be very innovative and creative. I was having trouble overcoming the limits of tiny canvases: the paintings were so stiff compared to my large works. They were visiting and I was telling them this conundrum and we were brainstorming ideas. Suddenly my sister-in-law lit up and said 'OMG I have the best idea!' and the rest is history."
Lee's sister-in-law is actually Carly Lee, the well-known fashion blogger and stylist of C.Style Blog, and her idea of creating pieced smalls into a large painting that can be separated really appealed to Lee. "I'm interested in human connection especially in our modern era where we are masked behind technology. The thought that 18 different collectors can purchase a small from a large piece was intriguing to me because here are 8 people that are now connected through art- people who are strangers, but they have this individual commonality."
In a few months Lee has managed to triple her sales, something that has really floored her. "All artists want to make a living from art somehow, but I was really stunned at the success of my Pieced Project. People just really connect with it: I've had a client buy the left bottom corner and then a friend of that person will buy the right half so now their art connects them further. Its another tie that shows their bond. So that is really cool to witness."
What does Toby think of all this? "Oh, he's cool with it. He's a special boy."
Interview by Gayle Harwood, 2016
Lee in her studio surrounded by new works
Toby smiles from the sofa which Lee created from a twin mattress and two vintage headboards
Living room view. Lee fell in love with her home's original details such as the built-in phone and corner shelves.
Two bright pink chairs flank a vivid yellow IKEA console surrounded by quirky antique finds
A hand-painted Mexican armadillo keeps company with an original oil painting by Round Top Texas artist, Beth Anderson.
Living room view into the original 1920's kitchen.
The textile sculpture, Bear Cub with Top Hat, is by textile artist, Meredith Hadaway @rtexasgallery. Laura loves to add whimsical pieces to her decor, and is excited to own 4 pieces by Hadaway.
Detail of Bear Cub with Top Hat
Lee is especially proud of this Merry Christmas whale which she found at Home Goods for $5 and displays year-round. "He adds so much joy and randomness and always makes me smile. So he was a must buy!"
A vintage kantha quilt covers the walls and creates the perfect backdrop for Lee's artwork.
Pillow details
This antique stained glass window was found at the Round Top Antique Fair. Its pre-war English and the perfect size for Lee's kitchen window. "When I saw it, I was instantly reminded of Beauty and the Beast which I loved as a kid. So I needed to buy it!"
Lee's Pieced Project work hangs in the kitchen's eating nook. Created from 8 separate canvases, the piece can be hung together as pictured or separated to form 8 different pieces.
Pieced Project work by Laura Lee
Lee dotes on Toby, her terrier-poodle mix.
Lee in her studio
Lee's light-filled art studio
Toby hanging out on the guest bed which doubles as a studio sofa. "He loves to sleep here while I work and to look out the window and bark at Taco, the neighborhood-roaming 17-year-old chihuahua who lives down the street," says Lee.
Rose Horse by Meredith Hadaway @rtexasgallery. This was the first piece Lee collected from her artist pal, Hadaway. The beautiful textiles collaged on the horse are vintage and the eyes are hand-painted by Hadaway.
Lee at work on a new piece in her bright studio.
The artist's palette. Lee was gifted this antique English butler's cart from her grandmother. "I was lucky in that the piece is the perfect height to hold my palette when I stand to paint! And its very beautiful to look at."
A match made in heaven!
Lee likes to combine unexpected textures like this sequin pillow and toile printed chair (also a gift from her grandmother).
The front hallway is a birch forest! Says Lee "I created this fake autumn tree branch last fall for my Halloween Party decor and it ended up staying." The branch proves to be the perfect accent for the birch tree fabric Lee tacked to the wall.
Front entry vingette. The blue vase was a gift from Lee's sister which she combined with whimsical figurines and a glass paperweight. "I love to group fun pieces together," says Lee
Front hall details. This enchanting chalkboard painted cabinet holds Lee's vintage Halloween collection. "You could say I'm passionate!" laughs Lee who believes she has over 300 pieces of vintage and vintage replica Halloween items. In fact her Halloween Instagram account, @thehalloweencollector, has over 1600 followers and features images of her collection pieces. "It's so funny because I started the account based on my love for the holiday and there's this whole online community who shares my passion. Technology is a wonderful thing because we can unite with others through a love of anything really. It's pretty great."
View from the front hall into the art studio. Two Victorian thrift store chairs (found for $40 and recovered by Lee's mother) anchor a fabric Coyote by Meredith Hadaway. A gallery wall of Lee's fluid art flanks the other side of the doorway.
Office vingette featuring a small fox by Hadaway, a sacred heart and Lee's portrait of her beloved Toby with a crown of stars.
Living room view looking into the art studio.
Faux foliage flanks a hand-painted armoire that Lee found at the Round Top Antique Show.
Textile details
