One Year of Window to The Bay
March 2021
Window to The Bay #12
Happy Friday and Happy International Women’s Month! This month also marks one year since the start of the pandemic, and one year since the launch of the Window to The Bay monthly newsletter. This picture of me painting a watercolor house portrait at my kitchen table was taken a little over a year ago pre-pandemic (you can see my hair was much shorter). With a big smile I eagerly planned the Window to The Bay product launch with no idea what 2020 would bring for the world. I see that smile from a year ago and remember the great joy it brings me to make paintings that bring grace and beauty to the every day and the special days; portraits that capture memories and build relationships. Many of my paintings uniquely capture the warm feelings and memories of “home,” be that a house, a university, city landmark, religious or cultural institution, or beach baby portrait. Like many parents during the pandemic, and especially moms - many of whom like me are working at the action centers of their homes at the kitchen table - work this past year has not been easy. And yet, I am grateful for the many clients and collaborators over the past year who have entrusted me with capturing their memories of home, from San Francisco to Los Angeles, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Colorado, Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Indiana, Texas, North Carolina, and Africa! Although I haven’t left Northern California in over a year, it’s been a wonderful privilege to “travel” through images and the mind’s eye while painting watercolor portraits!
Laura Ann Studio X She’s the First
A watercolor portrait gift revealed on International Women’s Day
As a long time admirer and supporter of She's the First, a non-profit that fights for a world where every girl chooses her own future, on Giving Tuesday this past December I found a few spare hours near the close of the busy holiday season to make a painting for STF. I've been inspired by She's the First's mission and founders Tammy Tibbets and Christen Brandt from STF's early days. Their recent book Impact: A Step-by-Step Plan to Create the World You Want to Live In has motivated me to define my own "North Star" and to use my art as an outlet. I've wanted to paint something for She's the First for a long time, and I love how supermodel Imaan Hammam has used her beauty and influence as a platform for good to lift up girls as a Global Ambassador for She's the First. I painted this watercolor portrait of her visit to Starfish International in The Gambia, West Africa in celebration of She's the First and Starfish International's partnership.
I highly recommend Impact for anyone who is looking to hone in on how they want to use their interests and talents to better serve and make a difference in the world!
As a girl who dreamed of being an artist when she grew up, now living that dream as an artist and mom with a painting business, I imagine a world where every mom can provide for her kids, and every child can grow confidently in the direction of their dreams. I’d like to thank @tammytibbets and @cjbrandt and their book Impact for helping me uncover this “North Star.” For the moms of the pandemic who have been juggling many hats from their kitchen tables, keep going! We have a voice to use in the world, relationships to build at home, work, and in the community, and beauty to create one day at a time!
With love for the every day and special days,
Laura Ann Elbogen
P.S. Is there a mom or woman in your life who you’d like to thank for their influence, or who could use a note of encouragement to keep her chin up through the pandemic? Forward this e-mail!