About Me if you found me on SociaL media

If not, there’s nothing to see here…

Some Questions answered if you found me on Instagram or Facebook!

I have been a professional oil painter since 1996. I have a college degree in painting/graphic design right before they invented the Mac computer-what? and wasn't good at either of them for quite some time even after I got that degree. Never really got the graphic design part but think it helps with the paintings… but I digress! My point is I have been around. I have painted thousands of paintings, own an art colony, collect art myself and in general am kind of artsy. I mean. This is not news to most of you. But if you found me on Instagram it is!

I am very seriously committed to professionalism when it comes to my art and getting it out there to the world. Read my manifesto on this HERE! Before you buy a painting from me READ THIS to help you understand how it works.

I knew what I wanted to be from my earliest memories. I was an artist. You can read the other bio on here for more on that. I shouted that way before I earned it but I think you have to have a little bit of misguided solid ass fatih in yourself to commit to an art career of any kind. I believe that 100%. That being said I was also like horrified at what I tried to create for a long time so there a lot to unpack there. With any creator!

Social Media is the best thing to happen to artists. I love it. It simply is the first time an artist can connect with a buyer without a mediary and that, for me has been a game changer. I love it. But and this is a big BUT- I have shown in hundreds of shows, group and solo, and in every coffee shop, and logged so many outdoor shows and to be honest when you start out that is part of this- It is what I call experience.I am EXPERIENCED NOT OLD! Ok I am also old but how can you get experience if you aren’t?

I love a show but I paint so much that one show every couple of years was a struggle. I had so much work. How to get it out there for people to see? I am also a classic extroverted introverted ADD artist. That means, sure, if I have to be in the spotlight i will and I will be happy about it, but nothing makes me happier than selling art this way while letting the art speak for itself. I love seeing my art go all over the country and the people who take it into their homes.

I have great respect for the people who buy my art online. It is brave.

But they do and I love them for it.

My paintings are not the highest priced and not the lowest priced but I have been selling oil paintings consistently for over 30 years. It is hard if you are not in this business to understand the basic cost of making a painting that will outlive us all but one tube of red paint can cost $40 or over. Many of the framed panels you see on my site are locally made in Richmond, VA and are beautifully handcrafted. or the work is on a museum grade stretched linen. All my materials are professional grade. Check out my resume on my site. Honestly? Check out ANY artists resume (CV in artspeak) on their site before you pay for artwork. Do a little homework. It is getting hard to sift through all these paintings online! Or not. I mean, my opinion is hang what you love but I do think there is a bit of smoke and mirrors online, too. Just do your homework before you buy ANYTHING. Or just buy it on that second glass of bourbon like I do. HAHA!

Oil paintings LAST FOREVER. They just do. They will be here long after that couch goes to the thrift store, that purse looks dated and don’t get me started on window treatments! I sometimes get messages on instagram about my paintings being too expensive and I think to myself well of course they think that way! Social Media has opened up art to the buyer and that sometimes means you are online right next to a variety of other things paintings for much less cost. Buy what you can afford. THE difference is with original art there is ONE. It costs more.

It is getting more rare to be the only one who has something. And again with art, there is not anyone or anywhere to see whether art online is a good price or not. There isn’t a way to google that yet. I think there will eventually, and honestly maybe there is, but I don’t know of a way. Buy what you love is my advice, the good paintings will hold their value.

ON another note! My work is so color saturated that even my kick ass iPhone can’t sometimes get the discrepancies. I do all my own photo’s and blah blah because honestly, it is the only way I can pull this off. I am a one woman business over here. Mistakes can happen! : ) But the good old iphone dumbs it down to an acceptable medium color group but to be fair, every single screen is different so there is that to deal with, too.. In person the works are softer, but also have a lot of brushwork and my interest is in the way the whole painting as a whole looks.I think if you like it online you will love it in person. Truly believe that but that being said…( old people use this … as a pregnant pause…)…

If you buy a painting and are like-OMG- I hate it in person. I will be happy to take it back. This is buying online I get it! And I will not hate you forever or get all offended. The first time. But after that all bets are off. Kidding, Kidding. My goal in this career is to make art that people love- not make art that someone feels stuck with. My goal in life is to be in a great place in my studio and that comes from the full circle of people loving my work. SO look-If you want to return you tell me, I say ok and you pay to ship it back. Like Zappos without the cool label.

All work is ready to be shipped and will go UPS. Shipping will show when you buy and I pack my own art so it is always doable. It should be 5-7 business days to get your painting. I wish it were quicker. I like instant gratification nation myself.

Love, Laura

I really just sum it up in a couple of phrases. My strong suit. LOL