Meet Laura Petka | Laura Petka | Abstract Artist

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

Hi Laura, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Painting has been a central part of my life since a very young age, ebbing and flowing as my life went in different directions. Being an Artist was always my dream job, but admittedly, seemed unattainable at times. Through my career as a Gallery Director, I put my art aside to focus on work and starting our family.

It wasn’t until after our second baby, and deciding to be a stay at home Mom, that I began painting again. Diving back into painting gave me a true sense of fulfillment and purpose, outside of being a Mom. Exploring new textures, surfaces, color palettes and paints came to another brief halt when we had our twin boys. As much as I missed painting, the focus for the next two years was on our new family of six, and one baby with a life threatening illness.

I picked up painting again after God delivered a miracle for our twin-baby Hayes, five surgeries and countless hospital stays later. Painting was such an incredible outlet after everything we went through and it is immensely inspiring being in the studio creating again.

I am emerging as an artist, painting my Spring Collection, found my path and invigorated by what is around me. My palettes come straight from our family experiences outdoors, where we are happiest. The sunsets, the woods, the flowers blooming. It is all so peaceful and alive. My paintings are influenced from my experiences over these last years, circling around desires to persevere through Hayes health challenges and overcome them with great joy of what is to come – for him, for my art, for our family and for those I can encourage around me.

My hope is that my work inspires its viewers.

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.
As life has setbacks, so does a dream career, but every setback is worth overcoming if you’re determined to reach the end goal. There have been many times when family took precedence over being an artist but it was perseverance, jumping right back into painting as soon as life allowed, that furthered my career.

I’m so excited to be creating a Spring Collection that is rooted in the inspirations behind my work, truly giving life to how the paintings are viewed. These are the foundations my commission pieces are built upon and future works to come.

I want to create work for emerging collectors that is unique and thought provoking, yet makes them feel alive and excited. My paintings stem from nature and the colors of creation that make this world so beautiful. Capturing that beauty in my art is what gives me perseverance.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Being with friends and family in our backyard is one of my favorite places to hang out. Our four young kids can run around with endless things to do and get into, while we’re able to watch and be a part of their excitement. Our life stage involves mostly kid friendly activities and we always love finding new places to explore outdoors, go hiking, biking or find a fun patio to sit on for a bite and drink.

Living in Dallas, you have to search harder for interesting outdoor places off the beaten path, but the area has lots of lakes that we love swimming and fishing at as well.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would never have been able to start my career as an emerging artist if it weren’t for the path God lead my life in and the encouragement and stability my husband gave me. I am forever grateful.

Instagram: @laurapetka.art

Image Credits
Olivia Ramirez