ABOUT
My name is Laura. I am an artist π¨ - self taught - lots of trial and error happening over here. π€ I like to include scripture in a lot of my artwork because it is medicine to my soul β€οΈ and I am also pretty ok at doing kid art stuff. πβ€οΈ I toy with airbrushing, graffiti tagging, glow in the dark, glitter... I am a child trapped in a grown-up's body! I also love all things vintage, turtles π’, glitter β¨, glow-in-the-dark, collage - I am a mixed bag and it shows up in my art! βπΌ
I accepted Christ in July 2004 in WΓΌrzburg, Germany, was water baptized in Shinnen, Holland while on a youth retreat in August 2004, and received the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the gift of tongues on December 1, 2008. I am, by the grace of God, a fully recovered heroin addict, restored and redeemed into a new creation in Christ. β€οΈ I have a passion for those still trapped by strongholds of addiction, which come in many forms.
I have been married for over 20 years to the most tolerant man on the planet, Dustin, and we have 3 beautiful children, Asher, Elia and Phineas. π§πΌπ§πΌπ§π» We have 2 dogs, Falkor and Moon, 11 cats, Tacopotomous, Snowshow, Pollywog, Mama Kitty, Peter Pan, Jane, Klaus, Bunny, Crunchi, Crush and Wednesday, and 3 hermit crabs, Monstro, Mermaid, Coconut and Mr. Galikanokus. I love animals - all living things - and 'tree hugger' as I may be, I don't trust people that don't like animals. π€¨
Age has taught me that I am an introvert π’, most comfortable in either very small groups or by myself. I have a hard time making new friends, but the older I get, the more content I am with the couple I have (and have had for most of my life) and the less apologetic I am about WHO and HOW I am... because I may not be a perfect child, but I still make my Father smile and I know He's proud of me! β€οΈ
I stopped painting for years, almost 15. I'd become a mom and was fighting the ongoing personal battle with depression I'd known since adolescence. I gave up on being creative because the depression kept winning. I found out that I had a very large brain tumor on my left frontal lobe, which just happens to be the emotional center of the brain, on April 29, 2022. It was removed on May 4, 2022. π§ πͺ I want to be able to say all is well and depression is permanently gone, but as I've healed, it has returned, but I find myself more able to face it without the hopelessness I had before... and I decided that I wanted to start painting again. π¨ So, here we are. I have some pretty awkward craniotomy bangs happening right now as the hair grows back where the incision was made - I blame how my head was stapled back together. I do enjoy watching people try not to look when I don't have a headband on. π
I am healed. π I do believe that. There are days when doubt whispers that I am not, but choosing faith over fear is sometimes a daily decision, sometimes numerous times a day... and I always end up choosing faith. π
I enrolled in Charis Bible College for the second βπΌ time in the summer of 2022, right after my surgery... and ended up withdrawing in April 2023. I doubt I will ever go back, but I'll also never say never. If He says go, I'll go again... maybe the 3rd time will be a charm. π€·π»ββοΈ
My favorite group right now is Maverick City Music - I'm a little obsessed - and my favorite secular band is, and forever will be, The Grateful Dead. I will have 'Brokedown Palace' played at my funeral...60 or so years from now. π
If you'd like to hear my personal testimony, click on any of the turtle drawings on this site! π’
I hope you enjoy what I make as much as I enjoy making it. π¨β€οΈ
