Laura Connelly, known as iamlaurael NFT Artist Interview | NFT CULTURE | NFTs and crypto art
Where are you from? (Provide some of your background, have you moved, etc.)
I was born in Lithuania but moved to Ireland with my adopted mother as a young teenager. When I arrived, I did not speak a word of English, and therefore it was a difficult transition, especially the school. The only place I found comfort was my art classes. There are no language barriers in art, and it gave me an outlet to pursue my passion and further develop my skills. I really got in touch with my art teacher who guided me and helped me grow as an artist.
Years later after a lot of hard work, I was admitted to one of, if not the best art college in Ireland. In the end, I could not attend because I moved to New York.
Can you tell us about your background and what led you down the path to becoming an artist and eventually experimenting with NFTs?
I have always loved art and it has been my dream to become an artist ever since I was a little girl. When I moved to New York in the early twenties, everything changed. Many around me told me that I could not make a living from art, and that I should get “a decent job.” For the next couple of years, I stopped creating art and worked at an animal hospital, law firm and real estate. I jumped from job to job and was never really happy.
Finally, one New Year’s Eve, I decided to return to art. This time I promised myself that I would never give up. Just a few months later, I started my own business offering art on commission. Ever since the launch, I have been blessed to be fully booked month after month. The demand for my work has been so strong that I consistently have a waiting list of customers requesting custom artwork. I have also had the honor of being featured in major publications such as Forbes, Marie Claire and Martha Stewart.
After running an art business for several years, I felt that something was missing. I love working with clients to make commission pieces, but I also wanted to make something I alone wanted to make. I saw NFTs as an opportunity to create what I wanted to create. I decided to launch a storytelling collection called The Lurkers.
The Lurkers is a 23-piece storytelling art collection. Using a combination of illustration, animation and music, iamlaurael tells a new part of the story with each piece. The story is based on dark spirits called Lurkers who accompany children who have bad thoughts or negative emotions. If the children give in to evil, the Lurkers tear them into the underworld and live off their darkness. This cycle has been repeated for ages until one day a very special child, a good child catches one of Lurker’s attention. Could this be a turning point in history? You need to follow @iamlaurael to find out!
When did you create your first NFT? Which platform did you choose and why?
I coined my first NFT, Lurker’s # 000 Two Worlds back in February. I chose the Solana blockchain because it was recommended to me by a few friends. After doing some research, I first discovered that Solana has a strong, passionate and supportive community, and that was what sealed the deal. It is also one of the most environmentally friendly blockchains as a typical transaction uses less energy than what is required to process two google searches. I thought that if digital art was to become mainstream and be widely adopted and collected, it had to be environmentally friendly. Also, gas taxes on Solana are almost non-existent, so from a user-friendliness point of view, it only made sense.
Can you tell us something you can not live without? (and why)
I can not live without creating art. Being an artist is what I was put on earth to do, and I will continue to create for the rest of my life.
Who is your favorite artist (s) (Not NFT)? What about their style resonating with you
My favorite non-NFT artist is Pascal Campion. I just love his style and the ability of his pieces to evoke emotions.
Who is your favorite NFT artist? What makes this artist unique?
I honestly could not choose just one. There are so many talented artists across the various blockchains. I appreciate a wide variety of styles and find new artists that I love every single day!
What made you invest in NFT art?
After running an art business for several years, I felt that something was missing. I love working with clients to make commission pieces, but I also wanted to make something I alone wanted to make. NFTs were an outlet for me to express myself and create exclusively for me.
What is the one NFT you wish you had bought but missed
I have FOMO on so many 1/1 works of art daily! However, one NFT project I missed was Solana Monkey Business. I was not even in the room at the time this project started. Since I started in Solana, I have witnessed how strong community this project has. I also fell in love with pixel art. As a woman, there are limited options when it comes to PFPs, as most are better suited for men. Luckily, someone listed the SMB I was looking at below the floor price, and I picked it up without thinking about it. I’m so happy to have finally joined this community I thought I had missed!
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? Why this location?
I would travel to Ireland. Ireland was my home for many years and I also have friends and family there. There is nothing more important to me than them and that is why Ireland will top my list. It is also a beautiful country that constantly inspires my imagination and gives energy to my creativity.
What are your other passions besides art? Why?
My biggest passion next to art is my love of animals! I’m a dog lover and a dog mother to a three year old yellow lab named Lenny. When I started working as a full-time artist, I actually combined both of my passions by creating many pet portraits for clients. I also ran a fundraiser under COVID where I illustrated people’s pets to raise money for local animal shelters. I raised almost $ 12,000. Just like art, animals (especially dogs) make me so happy.
Do you make other forms of art?
During my artistic career, I have experimented with various forms of art, but now focus exclusively on digital illustration. I make all my work with an iPad or a drawing board.
Are you self-taught or trained?
Besides taking a few hours at school, I am completely self-taught. When I bought my first digital drawing board, I watched a few YouTube videos, but mostly I learned on my own.
How did you come up with your specific style?
Before I made 1/1 art NFT, I worked as a commission artist full time. I started many years ago with a very minimalist line art style. Over the years, I developed my unique style that consists of convoluted lines and flat color textures that come together to stimulate viewers’ imagination. I now create what I call “” history book illustrations “” by using my style to tell stories through a single image.
How has your style evolved over the years?
It took me a long time to develop my own unique style. In fact, it took years and countless hours. It started as a minimalist line art style and turned into more detailed, colorful works that tell stories.
What comes in the near future?
The Lurkers is my original series about Solana. The Lurkers is a storytelling collection of 23 parts. Each piece in the series tells a story, and when they are seen in order, they come together to tell an even bigger story. There are only 4 pieces left in the series to be auctioned off in the coming weeks. I think because this art series tells a story, there are many ways I can explore to take it even further after it’s finished. The end of the collection can only be the beginning for The Lurkers. Follow me on social media to join the journey.
If you could collaborate with one artist, who would it be? (and why)
I can not reveal it at this time – but I can tell you that I’m working on something!
What was your biggest failure, and what did you learn from it?
My biggest failure was to move away from art several years ago when people told me that it was not possible to make a living from it. However, I learned to never give up, and that my purpose on this earth is to be an artist.
What is your biggest piece sold
In USD value, my biggest sale was almost $ 15,000 at the time of sale. My biggest sale in crypto terms was at my last auction where Lurkers # 018 sold for 200 Sol.
How much was it sold for
see above – the largest sale in USD was almost $ 15,000. The largest sale in cryptocurrencies was 200 Solana.
Do you have any upcoming drops?
The Lurkers is a storytelling collection of 23 parts. Each piece is put up for auction and there are only four pieces left in the series. Upcoming auctions will be announced on my Twitter page and can be viewed here as soon as they are scheduled:
Link to website
Social links and NFT market links
Twitter – https://twitter.com/iamlaurael
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/iamlaurael/
Marketplace –
Anything else you want to share?
iamlaurael was the first female 1/1 artist on Solana to break a 100 Sol sale. She was also recently featured in @CozomoMedici’s newsletter.
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