Laura Ballerini

Author Laura Ballerini nurtures her inner badass radiating a ‘quietly fierce’ disposition in her work & life.

Laura Ballerini 2nd Edition of The Green Velvet Chair

2nd Edition Now Available >

Art is not only found in museums, it appears in food, music, nature, and so much more. We are all artists in our own unique way. From family traditions of pasta making; to recognizing how music ignites generations across social, political, and economic boundaries; to designing a eulogy, creativity comes in many forms. While Ballerini started her creative journey at a big city newspaper she transitioned to new mediums including website design, digital media and online marketing. However, this isn’t a detailed biography about her career or an academic text book on art and design.

This is a personal journey spanning over 40 years of working in the design industry that poignantly weaves drama, humour, and even death, together. Art and design are the glue that hold it all together. These are written about universal experiences meant to spark creative storytelling within each of us. Seamlessly she weaves an unlikely array of stories about her inspiring mother, museum visits, online shopping, designing in the dirt—and combines them into a cohesive series of essays. Some are funny, some poignant, but all are memorable snippets of creative living. And they live in all of us.

The Green Velvet Chair 2nd Edition Now Available >

Expressive Arts Anthology Lead by Jean Voice Dart

The Ultimate Guide to Transforming Stress

Anthology Lead by Jean Voice Dart

Expressive Arts: The Ultimate Creative Guide to Transforming Stress invites you on a joyful journey from tension to transformation through the power of creative play. This collaborative book offers real-life stories, proven techniques, and artistic tools from global experts—therapists, teachers, and performers—who use expressive arts to heal and inspire. Whether you dance, paint, write, or play, this book shows you how to shift from stressed to blessed and rediscover your passion, purpose, and divine creative spark.

Laura Ballerini Chapter 11:
THE FALL
Shift Perspective and Rise Above Life’s Challenges

 

EXPRESSIVE ARTS:
The Ultimate Guide to Transforming Stress
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON

Brave Healer Publishing

 

In The Green Velvet Chair, Laura Elizabeth Ballerini invites readers into a cozy, reflective space where memory, meaning, and design beautifully intertwine. With warmth and vulnerability, she shares heartfelt vignettes from her life—each story anchored by everyday objects and moments that evoke deeper truths. Like sitting down with an old friend, this book offers comfort, inspiration, and gentle nudges to pause and appreciate the layers of our own lived experiences. Ballerini’s writing is both elegant and approachable, making this a delightful read for anyone who cherishes storytelling with heart and style. A soulful tribute to life’s seemingly small moments that shape who we are—a good book to read to make your day brighter, even when the sun’s not shining.

Dr. Helen HoltonStories That Settle in Your Soul: A Seat on The Green Velvet Chair

Laura Ballerini’s The Green Velvet Chair is a rare kind of book—effortlessly elegant and deeply human. Through her decades in design, Laura doesn't just show us where inspiration hides—she reveals how it sneaks into the everyday: in a crumpled receipt, a dance floor moment, or even the smoke curling from a memory. Her essays are personal yet universal, weaving humor, reflection, and courage into an unforgettable narrative. This book is a gentle nudge—and sometimes a bold shove—for each of us to recognize the artist within. A delightful, soul-stirring read.

Bruce ScheerA Quiet Revolution in Creativity

Laura’s words touched my heart & have given me new insight into the finer points of design theory through allegory.
You won’t even notice you’re being schooled; she is so masterful.

Kimberlee Jones, APRThis book has given me new insight into the finer points of design

As a fellow author, I enjoyed reading this collection of stories that the author has woven into an inspirational read. As the spouse of a breast cancer patient, I loved how the author shared her lessons learned from her battle with this disease in the Epilogue. I look forward to her next book sharing more stories of her breast cancer journey!

This book encourages readers to embrace their own creativity. The author’s message is that we are all artists in our own peculiar ways. The Green Velvet Chair is an inspiring reminder to appreciate the art that is around us, even though it may be in unusual places. Highly recommend this inspirational read!

G. DavisAn Inspirational Collection of Stories

Laura Ballerini’s book, "The Green Velvet Chair," touched me in so many ways. Her stories stress the importance of being aware of our environment, keeping our eyes open with curiosity, and honoring our family stories. Perhaps most striking is the reminder that art is all around us - in the patterns found in nature, in the draping of a vine over a fence line, and within our homes and offices. Her delightful, heartwarming stories have changed my perspective in so many areas of my life.

Kathleen SparrowStories to Awaken Your Curiosity

The Green Velvet Chair Quote mark by Laura Ballerini

CONNECTED WITH THE STORIES

Loved the Graceland and Red Crayon chapters. I could feel your anxiety coming off the page, and I connected with that feeling of not being in control.

Dana Goldstein
Author, Murder on my Mind

The Green Velvet Chair Quote mark by Laura Ballerini

I COULD CLEARLY SEE

THE GREEN VELVET CHAIR

The green velvet chair is a true testimony of the writer’s mother. This book immortalised hard work, dedication and perfection, which, simply put, is the author’s greatest creative self. And yes, she is a BAD ASS.

Lindsay Walters

The Green Velvet Chair Quote mark by Laura Ballerini

STORYTELLER HITS THE MARK

Sharing her life stories with us brings us to a place of our own. We can truly see the passion she brings to the page of her life experiences with humour, compassion, creativity, and love. LOVE to read ‘real life’ stories that I can relate to. Enjoyed each chapter as it exploded with a different story. Tying each precious chapter into her work as a designer brings the stories to life. I think we can all find a chapter or two that will bring us back to the ‘good ole days’!

Brenda Sevick

The Green Velvet Chair Quote mark by Laura Ballerini

DEFINITION OF A BADASS

What’s the definition of a badass? Someone who is tough, uncompromising and intimidating. Laura Ballerini, author of The Green Velvet Chair, is two-thirds badass. Read her book to find out which two. Through her collection of essays in her book debut, Ballerini invites us to experience how art and design can influence everyday life. With personal reflections that will make you laugh and cry, Ballerini recounts her early days as designer for a big city newspaper, shares worldly travel anecdotes, and family tales that we can all relate to.

Allison McGee

Sometimes inspiration comes from the most unlikely places