Interview with Laura Pretto Vargas — Contemporary Art Curator Magazine

I’m interested in the basic human emotions that impact people. In my artworks I hope to communicate my emotions, vulnerability, sometimes pain, happiness, movement, sadness, energy flow, hope, etc. I like to think that when someone looks at one of my paintings they will recognize their own struggles and feelings in it. I think paint has power to play with our emotions and make us lose ourselves in it. My work aims to open your mind and make the viewer feel differently.
Art for me is a way to communicate thorough the materials, techniques and forms I use, my ideas and what I feel to my viewer, as well as challenge, provoke and instigate in the viewer ideas and feelings of their own.
I think art is a movement of self expression that changes as you grow and learn, on your terms. Art is forever! A piece of art is a forever statement your soul makes, that desires to share with the rest of the world.

Can you pinpoint the moment you decided you wanted to become an artist?

I’ve always loved art, but it was during fashion school where I began my art career. When I started school, I assumed my love of fashion would translate my thoughts and feelings into designing a fashion line, but that was not the case. Instead, I constantly felt misunderstood and unfulfilled. The fleeting nature of fashion really bothered me in the sense that every season must be expressed differently, and that was never an appealing idea to me. I think of art as a constant entity, where forms of self-expression adapt and change as you grow and learn, but on your terms. Art is forever! A work of art is a permanent statement your soul makes, one that you desire to share with the rest of the world. Ultimately, that is why I choose to make art...not because it is trendy but because it is a reflection of who you are, what you feel and how you see the world.

Can you tell us what you have going on right now?

Looking forward to my next solo exhibition in NYC next June at Artifact. Can’t wait for the release of new book of Contemporary Art Curator and Art Award ‘Collectors Vision International’.

Tell us a little about your artistic background. What were your first influences to be creative and become a serious artist?

I have had several influences throughout my career, but my foundation has always been my mother. She inspires me to be a better business woman, like her, she also plays a part in every major marketing and image decision on my career, I respect and appreciate her experience, opinion and work ethic a lot. She was the first to believe in me as an artist, and she helped make it possible for me. That said, I dream of a world more densely populated by women in the field. There are many painters who have impacted me and have been an inspiration and influence on my career. In particular, Willem de Kooning, Joan Mitchell, Kazuo Shiraga and Jackson Pollock for their action painting. Additionally, Mark Rothko because I love to lose myself in his infinite silence of colors and Claude Monet for the immenseness of his Water Lilies series.

Can you describe what an average working day for you is like? Do you work on many creations at once or one at a time?

First thing I start with some form of music, instrumental or acoustic, to loosen myself, the process of creating a painting sometimes happens just on my mind, other times I like to do a drawing to loosen up, then I like to pic colours, at least the main ones and it all goes from there. I like to think the process of painting as a slow dance or encounter I have between the brush or whatever I’m using that moment, the canvas, and myself. That field is sacred, as long as the connection is happening is as I’m in a complete trance. I really enjoy working on many paintings at the same time, that way I can keep them close and create the series I’m working with.

What makes your art different from others?

My own life experiences, my painting techniques and I guess my own way of viewing the world.

In your opinion, what role does the artist have in society? What do you hope that others will gain from viewing your art?

I’m interested in the basic human emotions that impact people. In my artworks, I hope to communicate my emotions, vulnerability, sometimes pain, happiness, movement, sadness, energy flow, hope, etc. I like to think that when someone looks at one of my paintings they will recognize their own struggles and feelings in it. Paint has the power to play with our emotions and make us lose ourselves in it. My art aims to make a positive impact on the lives of people I touch with my artworks by uplifting them and inspiring them to think and act in ways that they may not have considered before.

Art is an experience, so each person will interact and absorb it differently, and that’s the beauty in it.

What’s the most important element in your artwork?

Soul and mindfulness.

That being said, are there any lessons that you’ve learned that you could pass on to the younger generation of artists as they begin their journeys?

I’ve learned that in my art I am always evolving and finding new ways and approaches to open up myself through my artworks, after all, it’s a self-discovering and healing process for me, and captivate the viewer’s attention and curiosity without losing my own sense of style and identity.

To a younger generation of artists I would say always believe in yourself and your skill, at the right time you’ll find your place.

Where is your studio and where are you from?

I love to work from home, I have a studio in my house in Milan -IT and in Miami -US. I was born in southern Brazil to an Italian family, which gave me the possibility of having double citizenship. I like the multiculturalism aspect of my life experiences, lived a time in Brazil, Italy and now the US too. Love to see the world and get to know different people and places.