Book Creative Q&A With Artist Laurie Cairone

When I saw Laurie Cairone’s art on Twitter, I was gobsmacked. She can do anything and bring incredible images to life. Then I learned that she is doing artwork for authors, including pictures for their social media posts, page art, and book covers. WOW! She’s a multifaceted woman and a great artist to know, especially if you are a creative person. Meet Laurie…

What is your book craft? I collaborate with an author to create a cover that they envision for their book using multiple digital art programs and editing tools. 

How did you get started offering these professional services? I started experimenting in the digital realms after creating art traditionally for over 40 years. I began this digital journey four years ago with a new I pad and pen and started learning how to create art in various art programs. I also entered photo edit contests on FineArtAmerica ,and not only am I still loving the learning process of editing and using my imagination, I have taken first place in a couple of contests amongst so many beautiful entries that was an awesome honor for me. 

What fulfills you most about working with your clients? I love the collaborative process where the author works with the artist and we both combine our imaginative skills to create a book cover for their creation. I offer several versions of a vision the author has, and we work closely to add, remove, blend, and repeat until the author is thrilled with the outcome! I really listen carefully to what the author wants and does not want in their cover. 

What is the ROI that your clients can look forward to by working with you? I would say the ROI is a book cover they are completely happy with that will add a special artistic touch with the success of their book. A book with an eye catching, aesthetic cover draws you to look at it, pick it up, and explore what it is about.      

What makes you, and your services, unique? I work intuitively with the creative process and with the author through my listening skills and will keep creating that one element or elements until it is exactly what the author envisioned.     

Who is your ideal client? It is a privilege and an honor for me to collaborate with another creative. Two imaginations intertwining to produce one’s vision is an incredible experience. An author trusting me with some of the details of their creation is a sacred experience to me on many levels. A writer pours his or her soul onto the pages of a book as an artist pours his or her soul onto the canvas.

What is one of your most memorable client engagements? That is a tough question. Every engagement is special to me in that we are always collaborating on the creation at hand. It is a wonderful feeling for me when an author is thrilled with the outcome and says, “It is far better than I imagined.’’ 

How do you hold yourself accountable and achieve the goals that you set forth? I am a retired nurse of 32 years and worked in many specialty areas. A process I have used with problem solving during my nursing career is something I also apply with creating. I assess what the client wants. I plan how I will deliver what is desired. I start implementing the process of creation onto the digital or traditional canvas. From this point it is evaluating with the client until it is right. I had a lot of pride and integrity in what I did as a nurse, and I have a lot of pride and integrity in what I deliver to the Author who has chosen me to design his or her cover. I always want to feel proud of what I do and I will redo it until it is exactly or better than the author imagined. 

How do you help your clients do the same? The process of collaboration involves details and lots of communication.  I explain to a client that I may ask a lot of questions about their vision to achieve the desired outcome. I can do this without reading the book if a client provides me with enough details of the most critical elements they want on the cover. Always being available to clarify and answer questions for each other is an integral part of creating something together.

How can people get started working with you? I create and sell a variety of products, including books, stationery, wall art, and apparel. A client can contact me and visit my gallery on my website.

What else would you like people to know about you? I have been creating art intuitively for over 40 years. I enjoy working with Pastels, Watercolor, Acrylic, and Charcoal mediums. I have also created digital art for the last four years, utilizing various programs for producing and editing. My interests in the Universe, the Healing Arts, the metaphysical world, and the mind-body-soul connection influence and inspire my art.

I am a retired Registered Nurse who has had a 32-year journey in various healthcare specialties. I hold a Second Degree Reiki Certification. Over half of my nursing career has been spent in the specialty area of psychiatry, so I am particularly drawn to the introspective process and possess excellent listening skills. Maintaining a healthy mind with positive thoughts is a crucial component of overall well-being. I have always found Art to be a therapeutic, relaxing, creative process that soothes my soul.

Creativity is a form of meditation for me, allowing me to let go of the dust that builds up over time. Art can be a healthy form of distraction. Creativity can open the door to self-reflection, which can aid in helping us gain clarity and peace in our everyday life. Drawing can be a sacred process of creating images from the heart.

I am very passionate about what I do. I am deeply humbled and honored to have received the FineArtAmerica Tony Award for artistic merit in February 2022.