Meet Laney Baby | Fine Artist, Muralist, Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Laney Baby and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Laney, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Taking risks is everything. You don’t grow without stepping out of your comfort zone. Risk taking is scary, especially when you’re new to it. I used to be so afraid to put myself out there, to go for things. But once you start transforming your mindset and believing in yourself, you see that taking action isn’t as scary in real life as it is in your head. Start small and remind yourself that you’ll be okay regardless of the outcome.

Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
My favorite thing about my art is how the ideas come to me. It’s usually just as I’m falling asleep, I’ll see a vision in my mind and jump up to jot it down on my phone so I don’t forget it. I like to think it’s the Divine working through me (I know that might sound a bit crazy). I’ve been in love with all things art since I can remember. It was always my favorite class in school and what I did in my free-time. In 2020, I decided to put my work out into the world. Slowly but surely, I realized that I could really make a career out of it. Along the way, I’ve taught myself lots of business stuff and have also improved in my craft. I still have a lot to learn, but I always will. Life is about remaining teachable.
The biggest challenge for me was believing in myself. I used to be so anxious and didn’t know what my purpose was. Now I know, and I’ve never been happier.
If you told me 2 years ago that I’d be shipping my art to Miami to be shown at Art Basel, I would have called you crazy. Now that’s actually happening. I’m very grateful to be able to live my purpose.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oooh this is a good question. There’s so many gems in Columbus! I’d take them to Cosi or the Zoo, then to get our nails done at Allure in Powell. We’d have to get some good food and drinks, some of my favorite places are Vaso in Dublin and Nico’s Cajun Island on the East Side. Of course we’d have to go to the Columbus Museum of Art, where I usually end up staring at a Monet painting for an hour.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My boyfriend, Eric. Better known to the world as “Doobie.” I’ve watched him work hard in his music career and he was my first example of seeing success in an artistic career. Without that example, it would have been harder for me to change my mindset around having a career in the arts. Growing up, I was taught that my art would always be a hobby, and that I needed to get a “real job” to be successful. Watching Eric live his truth and see success while doing it made me realize that it was possible for me, too.

Website: https://www.laneybabyart.com

Instagram: @LaneyBabyArt

Twitter: @LaneyBabyArt

Youtube: @LaneyBabyArt

Other: Tiktok: @LaneyBabyArt

Image Credits
Rileigh Zweydorff @paparileigh