About Laura Shape
Laura Shape is an award-winning contemporary artist whose innovative artworks have gained international attention for sparking conversations around beauty, advocacy, and happiness. As a fine artist, she uses hand-crafted, one-of-a-kind pieces to champion positive global impacts on sustainability and mental health. This artistic entrepreneur's current work focuses on a serious environmental issue by transforming invasive animal species into beautiful art, protecting native ecosystems and reviving global biodiversity.
The Artist's Journey
Laura Shape's inquisitive nature and imagination allow her to create fine art with a message and an impact. "I liked working with exotic leathers because of their beautiful textures and patterns, but I wanted to find ethically sourced materials. That's when I learned about the invasive species problem, particularly invasive lionfish and carp. After researching, I found a company that makes leather from these and other invasive species to help solve this problem. And I now use them in my art." Laura is now considered the world's first invasive animal species artist.
The Midwest-raised child of two artists, Laura inherited her love of artistic expression and an intrinsic need to innovate. She turned down an early acceptance into Carnegie Mellon to pursue graphic design at Rochester Institute of Technology, which was at the forefront of integrating computers into its design curriculum. Shortly afterward, she embarked on a highly successful two-decade career in Los Angeles, primarily with internet startups, honing her passion for transforming concepts into reality.
Artistic Evolution
Laura began expanding her artistic ambitions after moving to Colorado in 2015. Drawing on her experience with a wide range of art-making techniques, including painting and sculpture, she began building her own business with a mission to make a positive impact through art. "My current painting and sculpture is mostly abstract explorations of color and texture. At first glance, they are simply beautiful, but when the viewer discovers they are made with invasive carp that are harming the Mississippi River, for instance, the pieces take on more significance. They become symbols of protecting this vitally important ecosystem."
Laura's work has been featured in numerous publications, is in private collections around the world, and has even received an award from a Fellow of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center. With the overwhelmingly positive response to her latest work, Laura continues to push the boundaries of what art can accomplish. Her lifelong goal is to constantly invent new ways to support important causes, inspire happiness, and create beauty. And she encourages other artists to do the same. "My advice is to find what gives you joy and keep doing it. Then share that joy with the world to inspire others. We need it so badly."
Laura Shape continues to draw inspiration from the natural world, creating contemporary art that not only captivates the eye but also promotes environmental awareness. Her unique approach to using invasive species in her work sets her apart from other artists and sculptors, making her a true innovator in the world of fine art.
Recent Awards
2023 - Juror’s Award winner. (Juror: Anna Davis, Fellow at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center ), "Breaking Ground: Art about the Earth"
2022 - Special Recognition for the 3 Dimensional Category (Jurors: Chris and Valerie Hoffman, gallery owners), "Nature"
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Art and Process
I don't make the leather myself; I purchase it already tanned from ethical sources. The leather is created by treating the skins of invasive species with tanning agents. The leathers I use are chrome-tanned, which makes them more pliable and suitable for dyeing in vibrant colors.
Skin is the raw material that comes directly from the animal. Leather is the result of treating this skin with tanning agents, which preserves it and gives it specific properties like durability and flexibility.
Yes, they're quite durable. Just ensure you have clean hands and aren't holding anything that could scratch or spill on them. Many of my wall artworks are framed, so the piece itself is behind glass or plexiglass to keep them clean and safe from UV light. Those, obviously, you won't be able to feel.
I often bring samples of the undyed, unpainted leathers to my presentations and exhibitions. These samples are available for visitors to touch and experience the unique textures of each species.
The texture of each leather is unique to its species, telling a story of the animal's life and environment. By highlighting these textures in my work, I aim to create a tangible connection between the viewer and the environmental issues I'm addressing. It's fascinating to see the variation between different types of fish. The scale pockets on a lionfish skin are tiny - just a millimeter or two. While the scales of the carp are enormous. You can fit the tip of your finger in them.
As an artist, I've always been drawn to texture. I'm that person in the clothing store who has to touch all the fabrics.
About the Invasive Species
I currently work with leather from invasive lionfish from the Atlantic & Caribbean, three kinds of invasive carp (including Asian carp) from the Mississippi River, and Burmese pythons from the Florida Everglades.
Invasive species cause significant ecological damage, outcompeting native species and disrupting ecosystems. By using leather from these animals in my art, I aim to raise awareness about this issue and support conservation efforts that remove these species from vulnerable environments, such as coral reefs.
I'm always interested in learning about other invasive species. However, my work depends on the availability of ethically sourced, professionally tanned leather. I'll look into any suggestions to see if they're a possibility for future work, but I can only use species that are being professionally processed into leather.
Environmental Impact
My original art helps create a financial incentive for the removal of invasive species by purchasing leather made from these animals. A portion of sales from all my prints and other merchandise goes to relevant organizations for each species represented in the image.
Each of my artworks also serves as a conversation starter about invasive species and their impact. For example, did you know that removing a single invasive lionfish can save up to 70,000 native reef fish? And that every invasive carp removed helps protect the 150 native species in the Mississippi River, including some that are already endangered?
Yes, it is very sad. But it's a complex issue and a human-made problem. Having been introduced to their new environments by humans, these invasive species are now causing severe damage to native ecosystems. While it's heartbreaking that they must be eliminated, it's also necessary to protect the biodiversity of currently-affected areas and to stop these destructive animals from spreading further. My art aims to honor them by turning their destruction into something positive and beautiful.
You can find a wealth of information online about these invasive animals. I recommend checking out resources from organizations like the National Invasive Species Information Center, the Nature Conservancy, REEF, and local conservation groups in affected areas.
Purchasing and Viewing the Art
I participate in various exhibitions and open studio events throughout the year. You can find information about upcoming events on my website and social media pages. I also welcome studio visits by appointment.
Yes, my artworks are available for purchase. You can find available pieces on my website or contact me directly for inquiries about specific works or commissions via our Contact page.
Yes, I can arrange international shipping for my artwork. As long as the type of leather used is legal to export from the United States. Lionfish and Carp leathers are exportable. Python and alligator leathers are not. But you can always buy a print, if you can’t have the original. Please contact me for specific shipping details and costs.
What's Happening in the Studio
