Creativity is contagious - The Creative Perspective with Laura Rees Art

With a passion for connection and nostalgia, Laura Newton, the artist and photographer behind Laura Rees Art talks to us about her creative journey, and reminds us that there is room for creativity in everyday life.

Tell us about your creative journey - do you recall how you first discovered your interest and passion for the arts?

I’ve always been a creative person. From a young age, I expressed myself through dance, music and visual art, so I don’t really recall a single moment where I discovered creativity. It has simply always been part of who I am.

As I got older, I felt the pressure many young people do to pursue something practical with a clear career path, so I chose marketing as a way to stay connected to creativity while building a career. While I enjoyed that work, and still do work in marketing today, I always felt this pull to be more creative in my everyday life.

At first, I followed that pull in ways that felt expected, through creative work like wedding and lifestyle photography. I loved the opportunity to tell stories and connect with people, but over time I realized what I was really searching for wasn’t just more creative output. It was creative freedom.

Freedom to explore what genuinely inspired me and freedom to not have to fit neatly into one creative box. For a long time, I felt pressure to choose a lane and define myself as one thing. Eventually I realized I didn’t have to. Today I consider myself both a photographer and an artist, and I love having the freedom to move between different mediums depending on the story I want to tell.

Talk about your style. What defines your art? What do you pull inspiration from?

My work is inspired by the everyday moments that bring people together. Shared meals, travel experiences, well-loved spaces, a beautifully set table, or the small details that make a place feel lived in and meaningful.

I’m drawn to moments that might otherwise be overlooked. A table after a dinner party, a favourite neighbourhood café, a bottle of wine shared among friends, or memories collected while travelling. These moments may seem ordinary, but they’re often the ones that stay with us.

Whether through painting or photography, my work is colourful, warm and rooted in storytelling. Rather than striving for perfect realism, I’m more interested in capturing a feeling. I want my pieces to evoke a sense of nostalgia, connection and joy, and to remind people of experiences, places and traditions that are meaningful to them.

Trusting that instinct and continuing to create what genuinely inspires me has been an important part of my journey.

What’s the most challenging part of being an artist - and what’s the most rewarding?

The most challenging part of being an artist is balancing creativity with the realities of running a business. Creating the work is only one piece of it. There’s also marketing, planning, inventory, finances, and all of the behind-the-scenes responsibilities that come with building a creative business.

I also think it can be challenging to stay true to your own creative vision. There will always be trends, outside opinions, and pressure to create what is popular or what you think people might want. Over time, I’ve learned that the work I’m most proud of, and the work that resonates most deeply with others, is the work that feels authentic to me. Trusting that instinct and continuing to create what genuinely inspires me has been an important part of my journey.

The most rewarding part is knowing that something I created has connected with someone else in a meaningful way. Whether it’s a painting or a photograph, there is something incredibly special about knowing a person chose to bring my work into their home and make it part of their everyday life.

Peachy Pours | Fine Art Print

How do you hope people feel or what do you hope they take away when they experience your art?

I hope my work encourages people to slow down and notice the beauty in everyday life. So much of what inspires me comes from simple moments that are easy to overlook.

More than anything, I hope my art evokes a feeling. I love when someone sees a piece and is reminded of a place they’ve been, a tradition they cherish, or a moment they wish they could revisit.

If my work helps someone pause for a moment, reflect on a meaningful experience, or feel a sense of connection to the people and places they love, then I feel I’ve accomplished what I set out to do.

What role do you think art plays in a community like ours?

I think art reminds us to slow down and pay attention. It helps us find beauty in everyday moments and encourages us to see the world with a little more curiosity.

I also think creativity is contagious. Art can inspire people to express themselves, try something new, or approach their own lives more creatively. To me, that’s one of the most meaningful roles art can play in any community.

What’s next for you—are there any upcoming projects, shows, events, or goals you’re excited to share?

I’ve just returned from a three-week trip to Italy, so right now I’m feeling especially inspired. I came home with thousands of photographs and more ideas than I know what to do with, and I can’t wait to start turning some of those memories into new paintings and photography prints.

Travel, food, and the experiences we share with others continue to be major sources of inspiration for my work, so I’m excited to spend the next few months creating and seeing where that inspiration leads.

I love having the freedom to move between different mediums depending on the story I want to tell.

Anything else you'd like to add, or let us know?

I think one of the biggest things I’ve learned is that creativity isn’t reserved for artists. It shows up in how we cook, dress, host, travel, decorate our homes, solve problems, and express ourselves every day.

I hope people feel encouraged to embrace their own creativity, whatever form it takes. You don’t need to be an "artist" (in the traditional sense) to live a creative life.

Connect with Laura Rees Art:

Website | Instagram

hello@laurareesart.com

2 Front St. W, Strathroy

(shop by appointment)