A decade-long dream comes to life. So unreal!!
Painting an official Elephant Parade elephant had been a dream of mine for years. When I was invited to participate, I knew I wanted to create something that felt completely like me: colorful, bright, and full of personality!
That dream became Leopard & Lips.
Leopard & Lips was first featured at Dana Bay Gallery, and seeing people stop, smile, take photos, and connect with it in person was already such a special experience.
Then came the part that still feels completely unreal. Leopard & Lips was selected as the lead elephant that inspired Kiss California, Elephant Parade’s 28-elephant public art exhibition right here in Dana Point!!!
I will always be a Dana Point girl at heart. I love the coast, the sunshine, animals, and this incredible community I have been so lucky to be part of. To do what I love, support a meaningful cause I care deeply about, and have Leopard & Lips chosen for something so special in the town I call home feels incredibly full-circle.
Watch Leopard & Lips come to life
This was the biggest piece I had ever painted and definitely one of the most fun!
From mapping out the lips from my signature Magic Kiss Collection and painting every leopard spot to layering in the bright colors and adding the final glossy coat, I loved bringing this giant beauty to life.
With so much gratitude
This experience would not have been possible without so many amazing people cheering me on.
A huge thank you to Elephant Parade for the opportunity to be part of such a meaningful project, and to Dana Bay Gallery for believing in me and featuring Leopard & Lips.
To my fiancé, Adrian, thank you for always supporting my wildest ideas and for being right there with me through every part of this. And to my Orange County art community, friends, family, collectors, and everyone who has continued to support my art over the years, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
From Dana Point with Love,
Laurie