Laura Marie: A Journey in Oil Portraiture and the Power of Artistic Community
- Kasey Robinson
- Apr 4
- 5 min read
When we think about the power of art, we often think of its ability to capture emotion, tell stories, and reflect the times we live in. For Minnesota oil painter Laura Marie, her artistic journey began in the midst of one of the most intense and emotional moments in recent history—the summer of 2020, shortly after George Floyd was murdered.
Finding Art in a Time of Chaos
“I started painting during the pandemic after George Floyd was killed,” Laura recalls. “It was a really emotional time for the world, especially in Minneapolis.” At the time, Laura wasn’t an artist by trade. She wasn’t formally trained. But in a city filled with tension, grief, and unrest, she felt an overwhelming need to create. “I just felt like I had to do something creative,” she says.
So, she turned to YouTube. She watched painting tutorials, studied different artists, and started creating portraits. “I was not any good at all,” she admits with a laugh. “But I spent so much time studying people’s practices, teaching myself, and practicing over and over. That’s how I ended up wanting to do art full-time.”
At the time, Laura lived just a few blocks from Lake Harriet in South Minneapolis—only about two miles from George Floyd Square. The unrest wasn’t something she just watched unfold on the news; it was happening right outside her door.
“Around our neighborhood, police were driving by and throwing gas bombs if people were trying to leave their houses,” she remembers. Through all of that chaos, art became her outlet.
The Artists Who Inspire
From the start, Laura sought inspiration from other artists—both globally and locally. “When I started, I was watching YouTube videos from this guy named Alpay Efe—he’s out of Germany—and then I became really inspired by Monica Ikegwu.” But her biggest source of creative fuel? The Minneapolis art community itself.
“Everyone inspires me… and keeps me going,” she says. “To have that artist community, to have someone who understands how my brain works, how I’m feeling, and what’s going on in the world from a broader perspective—it’s really important.”
She gives special credit to Nikki McComb, the founder of Art is My Weapon, for the work she’s doing to push for change through art. “She’s amazing! The work that she does, despite everything she has going on—she has a full-time job, life responsibilities, and yet she continues to push for change, especially for kids. It’s so inspiring.”
The Creative Process: A Calling, Not Just a Skill
For Laura, painting is more than just putting brush to canvas. It’s an emotional process, often guided by something bigger than herself. “It’s really the Creator that puts these ideas in my head. It’s just this calling. I have to do it,” she explains.
She also sees art as a responsibility—something that should carry meaning and purpose. “We as artists have such a responsibility to create for the times. To create for people—to find feeling, meaning, and purpose. To help people relate to what’s going on.” Laura laughed as she stated, “Every piece is literally like a rollercoaster ride.”
“Your pieces are like your babies. They tell a journey of where you were at the time.”
The Challenges of Creating Art
While the creative process itself is fulfilling, the biggest challenge for Laura isn’t technique or inspiration—it’s time. “I would say finding the time. Because I’m a mom. And I have a full-time job.”
Laura states that she puts in at least 50 hours per painting, often working late into the night to finish her pieces. Some paintings have taken her over 200 hours to complete. “I literally feel like time is fleeting,” she admits. In fact, she finished her painting for Everyone’s a Critic just the night before the show.
Experiencing a Live Critique for the First Time
Participating in Everyone’s a Critic was a brand-new experience for Laura, and one that pushed her out of her comfort zone. “This art show was super different than anything I have ever seen,” she says.
In the days leading up to the event, nerves kicked in. On the day of the show, she arrived at the same time as fellow artist Aleya, and the two of them eased into the experience together. “I didn’t know what to expect,” she admits. “But it was a really emotional process, just hearing what everyone thought of my piece. I cried. It was embarrassing.” She laughs at the memory.
But in the end, the experience was overwhelmingly positive. “It was really cool to hear everyone’s perspective on all the pieces.” Laura Marie’s story is a testament to the power of art—to heal, to inspire, and to build community. What started as a way to process grief and chaos has now become a lifelong journey of artistic expression. And as she continues to grow in her craft, one thing remains clear: her work is meant to capture moments, spark emotion, and reflect the times of the world around her.
What’s Next for Laura Marie? A Solo Exhibit and a Vision for the Future
For Minnesota oil painter Laura Marie, the next step in her artistic journey is both ambitious and deeply community-driven. “I’m going to create my own solo exhibit. I’ve never done anything like this before.”
Her upcoming exhibit will feature portraits of individuals from the community—people making a meaningful impact. To bring this vision to life, Laura put out a call, asking for nominations of inspiring individuals and their stories. “I asked people to submit someone they want to have painted—someone doing meaningful work—and why. I said I would take the first 12 people.”
Now, with her 12 subjects selected, she’s fully immersed in the painting process, aiming to debut the collection before the end of 2025.
Beyond this project, Laura has a clear vision for the future of her art career. “I really want to have my own studio, because right now I’m in my basement—which I’m grateful for. But I want my own space where I can separate home and creativity. And just continue to put out work.” As she continues to push forward, Laura shared a heartfelt message about the importance of supporting local artists.
“Something I just want to share with people—especially non-artists—is the importance of supporting local artists. Even if you just buy a print or share a post, it makes a difference. A lot of times, for us, this is our life’s work. It helps us stay motivated and know we’re on the right path.”
With passion, dedication, and a strong connection to her community, Laura Marie is paving her own way—one brushstroke at a time.