On the Edge
Laura wasn’t wrong when she said, “so many are hurting.” And her story isn’t an aberration. It connects her experience to countless others who are on the edge.
The tragic irony is that Laura preserved nature, yet her own life ended prematurely. She invested all her resources and sacrificed her material, physical, and emotional well-being to create masterpieces. There was little left for marketing and selling. As a self-taught, singularly minded artist and single mom struggling to be known, Laura relied on her resilience and many practical skills.
She built a rack in her truck, that was ultimately stolen, to transport artwork for roadside Pop Ups (and storage). She never gave up striving for security so she could pursue her dreams without having to struggle to survive. She, and everyone else in this predicament, deserve more of society.
Ongoing Struggle
Sadly, she never published her website, and sales did not sustain her. Without a studio, gallery, or home, she vied for the attention of celebrity art collectors by displaying on their neighborhood roadways.
If you like my art please pass it on to a decorator designer gallery architect contractor visionary! I need help to get known and become successful.
She caught the attention of a columnist who featured her Open Air Gallery - Pop-Ups - Topanga New Times.
Getting photographs ready for my long overdue and much anticipated website!
Laura lived to create. Here she dances wearing her Socially Distancing dress. COVID gave her an opportunity to enjoy her creativity.
The lockdown has allowed me to create art with wild abandon....getting set up to sell on the internet is slowing me down...
When I get an art studio I am going to be on fire!
Anguish
It wasn’t until hospitalized with a blood clot, that she published her fundraiser hoping to stabilize and continue making and selling her treasures. Unfortunately, she was unable to secure space to live and work. It became harder to overcome her predicament and she passed away on March 3, 2022.
Laura realized her artistic vision, but not her artistic dream. Along with her son Ari, siblings Stephen, Elizabeth, and Michael, as well as nieces and nephews, and dear friends from all walks of life, she also leaves behind her artistic legacy, Regifting Nature.
Invitation
Laura’s story highlights the emergency of countless others. It points to the dire need to create a world that not only provides safety nets, but also supports brilliant creators whose groundbreaking work may never come to light otherwise.
Because the world can’t afford to lose her achievements Laura’s estate is pleased to embark on two initiatives:
Scholarship: To continue Laura’s groundbreaking art we are offering scholarships for botanical artists to carry on Laura’s Oshibana legacy.
Exhibition: We invite galleries, botanical gardens, art schools to showcase Laura’s recovered works. They must be seen.
It's the continual development of ideas that is the excitement that gets me up in the morning!