Interactive art with purpose
Laura’s artwork combines bold textures, vibrant colors, and interactive elements to explore themes of resilience, empowerment, and social impact. Through sculpted canvases and large-scale installations, her work creates immersive experiences that spark conversation and inspire change.
ON DISPLAY
Takes Heart
“Takes Heart” is a vibrant and dynamic artwork inspired by the entrepreneurial journey of women. The work takes the shape of a 5-foot-tall heart showcased as part of the the Parade of Hearts public art event in Kansas City.
The piece features bold colors, heavy textures, and energy that reflect the passion and resilience of women in business. Throughout the piece, select tiles can be tapped with a phone to open a database showcasing women-owned businesses from across the city.
Sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, “Takes Heart” not only celebrates the strength and creativity of women entrepreneurs but also serves as a beacon of support and inspiration for future leaders.
RELEASED
United Series
The United collection – inspired by the collaboration of Takes Heart and United WE – celebrates the impact of women working together. In each work, Takes Heart founder Laura Crossley collaborates with entrepreneurs to illustrate the impact of women when united in action. The collection shares the namesake of United WE and reflects the organization’s mission to move all women forward.
RELEASED
Tandem Works
Laura’s tandem works are companion pieces born from the creative process behind her commissioned projects. These artworks serve as color studies, experimental explorations, or inspired offshoots that extend the narrative of a primary piece while expressing a unique tangent. Whether used to test techniques, refine ideas, or simply follow an unexpected creative impulse, each artwork stands on its own as a stunning, collectible extension of her artistic journey.
IN PROGRESS
Taking Series
A prequel to “Takes Heart” and the Takes Heart Series, Taking gives presence to the exhaustion, depression, anxiety, guilt, grief and anger experienced by women when juggling responsibilities, deprioritizing passions, and carrying a disproportionate share of the world’s emotional labour. The work follows the artists’ personal journey through career success, major life change, perinatal and postpartum depressions, family loss, extreme burnout, and hopeful recovery.
The series of 10 interconnected, interactive canvas sculptures are arranged to tell the story of things taken from a woman along this journey. The work underscores the challenges of finding balance, finding self, or pursuing recovery as society – both intentionally and unintentionally – takes what few resources she has left. In a world where many address mental health struggles by saying “just choose to be happy,” Taking aims to reflect the harsh undertow of ignoring those in need of support.
The artist encourages conversations on personal mental state, our social responsibilities to help others, asking for help, and empathy.
IN PROGRESS
Takes Heart Series
Based on its vibrant namesake, the Takes Heart Series continues the celebration of women as leaders in business and entrepreneurship. The modular collection reflects an unending creative brainstorm. Varied arrangements of the work shift focus in the storyline while consistent threads of ideation, experimentation, innovation and creation infuse energy throughout. The work is to never be displayed the same way twice and will be experienced anew with each installation. The collection continues the story of the “Takes Heart” heart sponsored by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation for the Parade of Hearts 2024.
COMING SOON
E-I-Oh!: E, Age 2
From Laura: “As a 2-year-old, my daughter spent every Wednesday (and, often, other weekdays) at home while I worked. In an effort to hold her attention on an activity while I took work calls, we began painting together. She was singularly responsible for getting me back into painting after more than 15 years away from it. We used a variety of tools and techniques with one rule: the color selection and the paint on the page were all up to E. The result is her first collection: E, Age 2.” The work will be available in original tempera on paper and gloss print. All sales go to the tiny artist.
