Growing up Laura Pope saw herself on a game reserve in Africa, or as a spy, jewel thief, brain surgeon, linguist . . .  Being an artist was the most delicious of them, but she believed she did not have anything to offer, growing up in the cultural white-out/wasteland of Orange County in the 60’s, which didn’t actually come to most of Orange County. She did have several night-dream places, landscapes she visited regularly. Passing a card rack in her early 20s, she saw 20 different views of one dream place. She had an inner world to draw on, and a long, strong history/inclination for “making”. Generous friends mentored her as she undertook woodworking, jewelry making, and painting. She offered jewelry in the Laguna Beach Sawdust Festival from 1983 – 1998 and jewelry and paintings in the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts from 1986 -1998. 

Catching/witnessing a moment of human connection has been a recurring theme.  She chooses a limited cropping for these paintings, giving just enough information to see/feel the human exchange. Each viewer finds their interpretation of the story, like a Rorschach test.  “Woman in Red” is the next series she has started. They are not all wearing red, but they have that attitude. These women are living out loud, with confidence, fierceness, sensuality, tenderness. Our world culture has been heavily masculine inclined, actively silencing the voice and power of women for millennia. It has historically not been safe for women to be “seen”. The wisdom of women is necessary if we are to survive this time of crisis. The heart wisdom of women gives the “why” to what we do as a species. It is time for bravery. In creating this work, Laura is encouraging all women to speak up, speak out, and be heard.