Downtown Artist Series

Dreams and more…

“I use many layers of colors, textures and mediums to create my paintings. This illustrates the layers of my dreams. A scratching technique gets below the paint surface and illustrates the feeling of being just on the other side of consciousness. Some of my recurring dreams are ‘flights of fancy’ floating inside rooms. Others are seeking what is just out of reach in ‘the other room’. The “serotonin” series illustrates waking in the early hours when the last day’s events seem to break into a million pieces floating me calmly back to sleep.”

And more… is playing with watercolors painted on YUPO paper then lifting or wiping away to create fun textural and detailed designs.

Laura Cavanagh is a Michigan artist currently living in Metro-Detroit. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of Michigan in 2011 with a BFA in art and design and a minor in art history. Outside of her 9-5 job, Laura maintains an active studio art practice. Depending on her mood, she is either creating a soft, ethereal pastel drawing or an intricate, detailed, collaged portrait illustration. Laura loves the act of framing and tries to do as much of her own framing as possible.

When she is not creating art, you can find Laura listening to an audio book, working in her yard, at the gym or trying a New York Times Cooking recipe (Melissa Clark’s are her favorites). Laura has a passion for living life fully and making people happy. 

Each woman portrayed has a story. When and where they were born? What is their food and drink? What is their favorite pastime? In the online store, click on the images to learn more.

“What began as simple pen and ink drawings back in 2014 has morphed into a collection of detailed, collaged, illustrative portrait drawings; each one framed in unique, primarily antique, frames, and embellished with hand-stitched threads. I consider each “portrait” as much more than a drawing. Rather, each one is a different female persona; a figure I imagined.  Some of these figures share qualities with me, and others possess qualities I only wish I had. Humor, whimsy and a sense of lightheartedness is a huge part of my work.

I am enchanted by the past and have always been called an “old soul.” One of my favorite pastimes is antiquing and discovering past relics. Through my work, I am able to weave together these items in a way that gives them new life. I often find my frames whilst antiquing and discard what they once protected for many years to give them new purpose. In addition to antique frames, I collage vintage papers, fabrics and other small, flat elements into each drawing and apply hand-stitching. This allows for an even greater connection to the past, as well as a greater connection between myself and the works.

My hope is that, in occupying this space, visitors of the Tuscan Café will imagine they are entering an intimate, imagined portrait gallery, filled with portraits of women who never existed. I hope that viewers of this body of work, and of all my work, take away a sense of joy and feel a sense of connectedness with the various portraits.” – Laura Cavanagh