MY NEXT SOLO SHOW OPENS IN 31 DAYS

Hey everyone~

I've been neglecting my site, social media and most forms of communication because I have been B-U-S-Y painting my butt off for my next solo show that is opening on January 10, 2026.

National Debt

Vine Arts Center in Minneapolis, MN

Gallery opens: 11:00am

Opening reception time: 6:00-9:00

Gallery is open every Saturday from 11-5:00, expanded times may be released

The opening night will be no doubt even more fun than my last solo show opening, and I can't wait to share new works with you. Whether you found me at an art crawl or social media, I'm glad you're here. There will be complimentary cheese and drinks, magnetic poetry, and the best part: A LIVE DJ! Admission is FREE for all, invite everybody (who isn't literally on you-know-who's side).

I also wanted to touch base and talk about some of my goals for 2026, and things I'll need to step away from to be able to focus on those.

I haven't taken any commissions in 6 months, and I will be expanding that through 2026. I love painting portraits of people, I love trying to solve a creative puzzle, but the last few years, I just haven't been having as much fun as I used to. It takes away too much time from my other work, and I tend to under promise the delivery date, so it just gives me extra stress. I'm so touched by the people who have wanted me to make something custom and unique for them, but at this time I'm stepping away.

I will also no longer be participating in group shows, at least through 2026. At least not ones I've sought out and applied for, unless it aligns specifically with my goals. For example, I had a really good experience in a smaller ensemble group show at North Suburban Center for the Arts in 2022, and that was a huge turning point for me. I had 15 paintings in the gallery, and got a lot of great feedback. I also really liked the other artists I was exhibiting with. I also have booked January 2027 off with ArtReach St. Croix for a 3 person ensemble for that month, so that's something I'll be working towards throughout all of 2026 to bring forth the best work possible.

I'm talking overhung group shows, the ones where your neck hurts after leaving the gallery because you had to over extend your neck the entire duration you were there just because of how much work was on the walls. The ones that are in weird venues like a night club... pop ups in the middle of a park during the worst air quality of my life. Just because things are low cost or free, doesn't mean its for me, and it's taken me some time to accept that.

I'm still undecided about Art Crawls. This was a hit and miss for me depending on the venue, and I have met some really awesome collectors there from years ago that I am still in touch with. I also had massive success at a low-cost, somewhat abandoned mall formerly known as Calhoun Square, for an event that had little promotion. So, I guess it's like fishing but lately it's been pretty tiring.

I have a new venue in mind for Art A Whirl, so if anything, I'll plan for that place and that place only in 2026, and if it goes well, maybe I'll be open to other events within it's proximity.

This year, my website saw it's biggest growth in revenue in the 5 years it's been online, so I think leaning into online marketing may be a tool I want to learn how to utilize better in 2026.

Anyway, I just wanted to hop on here and share this with everybody while the idea was fresh in my head, because I've been so chronically busy between working in residential HVAC and just coming home wanting to remodel my Animal Crossing Island, and sprinkle some art admin work here and there...

Thank you so much for the love!!!

Laura