AWAKENING MINDS ART PRESENTS

Laura Flickinger is an artist, Reiki practitioner, and owner of local business, Golden Lotus Arts and Wellness. Golden Lotus is the private studio space where Laura creates her work and offers private Reiki sessions by appointment. Check out her website to see more artwork! www.goldenlotusart.com 

Born and raised in Findlay, Laura has been a working artist since age 18; including a 16-year career as a tattoo artist. Tattooing created a passion for design, and a love for connection with people. But Laura’s passion for painting always had a huge place in her heart; and within the last year she decided to take steps to make it a more prevalent part of her work by opening her studio and stepping back from full-time tattooing. Laura seeks to continue creating works that help people connect to themselves and others deeply, often times being inspired by themes of healing, wellness, and self-exploration.

Her mural is on the back of the JuJu Beadz store, located at 829 Tiffin Ave, Findlay, OH.

What does the hashtag #artmakesmeconnected mean? "To me, art has always been the way in which I connect to myself. Through creative exploration, I continue to meet myself deeply. Time spent making art, is time spent getting to know my soul. When times get trying, helps me process my emotions and bring myself back to center. 

"This mural project has allowed me to take that personal connection, and share it with others. I’ve come to learn that although we are each unique, we also all have very similar experiences. Similar joys, and similar struggles. Being a human is complicated, and yet so beautiful. I wanted to share the message that we have ability to choose the thoughts we cultivate, and we have the power to change our lives for the better. Together we can work to “grow positive thoughts” in ourselves, and therefore our community. I’ve already had so many amazing conversations with people while out working on the mural, I’m already seeing this connection to community grow. I believe in the goodness of people, and I am excited for thoughts this work may spark for those who view it." - Laura Flickinger

What does the hashtag #artmakesmeconnected mean? ​"I believe art connects us as human beings even more. They say a picture is worth a 1000 words. Everyone is creative in one way or another. From that person who has designed an amazing building that takes your breathe away to a child’s drawing that just makes you smile. And it’s more than just paints, brushes, and such. We have so many simple things that can make us happy. We just need to look and behold. JBz’s mural is flowers not beads, if one person, family is out there snapping pictures together and laughing, having a great time. -well-  Happiness is contagious pass it on." - Lauri Riggs, owner of Juju Beadz