A star-gazing artist born in Mexico City and raised in Cuernavaca, Morelos, a small city near Mexico City, Laura Palma creates out of this world art. She finds inspiration for her series constructed around the galaxy by trekking into the desert with binoculars and telescopes, getting lost in the cosmos. In contrast, she looks to history as she draws on the influence of Gustav Klimt throughout her Figurative collection of feminine-inspired works.

"The feminine body is full of curves, and you can exaggerate them or not, but there's always a balance, and I love that."

Not only is Laura an incredible artist and industrial designer, but you will also recognize her from her acting roles in "Luis Miguel": The Series- (2018), "Alejandra Guzmán": The Series- (2018) and Prisoner 01- (2019) as well as other films and series.

What is your favorite memory from your time in Paris?

Of course, everyone knows that Paris is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but for me, my best memories are “food memoires”. The best baguettes, croissants, and cheeses in the whole world are in France.

The Eiffel tower makes you feel like you're in a fairy tale - it’s mind blowing the magnificence of the city. I always thought about how many people it took to build this without cranes or any big machines.

Did you have any culture shocks moving from Mexico to Paris and then NY?

Well, as I told you before, I'm a girl that loves warm weather. The winters in Paris are so cold. I remember telling my friends and family that I didn't want to be there. I wanted to be swimming back home, taking a sunbath in the garden full of flowers or at the beach.

Cold weather is hard for me. It's also a bit shocking comparing Mexicans to French people. They can be a little serious,

I visited New York during summer, so I had the time of my life.

In New York you meet people from all over the world, this is one of the things that makes the city so special. I was studying acting and a Hatha yoga training. No matter what you are doing there, you get the chance to learn from all of these different cultures, points of view, perspectives, values, religions, etc. Experiencing that was my favorite part.

When did you know that you would pursue art as a career and not just a passion?

When I was little, I wanted to be a painter. Of course, the feedback I would always get from adults around me was about the starving artist trope. Everyone would tell me that painting is not a real thing to do. So instead, I studied industrial design because it is adjacent to art.

"If I ever have a child of my own, I will tell them to do whatever they want. If dancing is your calling, then be a dancer."

I started to take art more seriously after my friends asked me about the art hanging on my apartment's walls. They would always say, "Oh, I love this painting! Where did you buy it? Who is the artist ?" After telling them that it was mine, they would usually ask me to sell it to them.

At first, I just gave them away for free. Then I thought, ok, this is a sign, I'm going to sell art and do this for real!

Who is the artist that inspires you most?

Gustav Klimt! I visited an expo about Gustav Klimt during my time in Paris, and I was mind-blown. Ever since that day, he has been one of my favorites.

I love the colors he chooses, all of the gold and the female figures. He painted women not as you see them but with elongated forms: with long legs, wide hips, and redheads. I love that.

Do you schedule a specific time to create art, or do you start when inspiration hits you?

About four years ago I started to paint every day. I grabbed an espresso and headed to my studio. I may not feel inspired every day, and it can get hard to stay motivated.

Some days, I don't know where to begin or when to end. Sometimes I'm not too fond of the colors I choose or feel like I am not good enough. But you have to keep trying; it's a discipline. Pablo Picasso said:

"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working."

Maite Guzman, a Mexican artist, told me once that you need to go to your studio every day. It doesn't matter; if you're not inspired. Just go and do something that has to do with art, maybe read about another artist's work, do some research, do some sketches. Anything related to art is part of the process. So that's exactly what I do. Sometime later, inspiration strikes, and I know my next move or the next color on the palette.

What themes do you pursue? What do you want your art to say?

Life is full of special details-beauty, sensuality, femininity, and magic. I try to portray that in every piece.

The whole cosmos is an infinite mystery, life on earth too. My art is about the perfection and contemplation of the world surrounding us—my way to give sense to reality.

(Laura Palma. Carinae Binary Star. 2020. Oil on canvas . 78.74 in. x 66.92 in. x 1.77 in.; Laura Palma. Andromeda. 2020. Oil on canvas. 43.23 in. x 35.33 in. x 5.7 in.)

When I was six years old, I had a conversation with my dad where I started to understand that I was part of a more significant thing. I asked my dad, "why do I see my hands and feet, but I can't see my face. It's like the world is made for me because I can watch everything around me, but I can't see myself." He said, "But everyone perceives the world like you. I can't see my face either."

I was amazed by that realization. All of the stars and cosmic bodies around us remind me that I'm part of everything. There are many religions and theories, and everybody believes in different things, and we're all part of this magnificent thing. So painting the moon and cosmic bodies remind me that we are part of everything, and this world is made for us to enjoy.

What's your favorite piece that you created?

I had a lot of doubts about painting a mural but decided to try anyway. So I got my little chair, and I painted it. It took me six months, but I did it.

I also love the Balance Goddess and feel very connected to her. She has a big head, and that represents the moon to me. We are very connected to the moon with our menstruation cycles as women. I'm very attracted to the moon, so this goddess has a moon in her head.

What is your dream project?

Well, I have two. I have always dreamed of owning my studio, and I have recently signed a contract on a studio. People can come in and see my work, see my process, and say hello to my birds. My dreams are coming true, and I am so excited. I love meeting new people and sharing thoughts and ideas. So an ultimate dream of mine would be to own a hotel on a Mexican beach, a small boutique (Laura Palma.Balance Goddess. 2019.Acrylic on metallic paper.Framed artwork. 43.3 in. x 31.48 in. x 5.7 in) hotel with eight rooms or so where I can show off my paintings and spend time with different people. Even if I'm too old to travel, I can still meet new people.

If you could go back in time to tell your younger self anything you learned along the way, what would it be?

Be patient. I don't have any patience. Sometimes I want to try different products, and they need time to dry, and I get anxious. I don't like waiting on the product to dry; I want to make sure it's perfect and move on.

I'm learning to be more patient with myself and the process.

I would also tell myself,

"Love what you want, eat what you want, and fall in love many times."

It was a pleasure to sit down with Laura Palma. We're over the moon to include her paintings in the FOUND By Robert Allen collection.