Laura is a 1977 graduate of the International School of Brussels in Belgium,
where she was awarded a prize for proficiency in art. Her proximity to Paris allowed her
to study the French Impressionists and examine their use of color. Two years of traveling
throughout Europe broadened her artistic awareness and inspired her to pursue a career in art.
She went on to study painting and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1981
from Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, then spent the following twelve years
in Chicago exhibiting oil paintings, pastels & collage boxes
and selling her painted furniture.
After moving to Delaware in 1994, Laura was employed as a picture framer and gallery
assistant in Hockessin where she displayed and sold her work. During that time,
she completed numerous portrait orders and personalized commissions for local homes,
successfully blending her clients' ideas and decors with her individual style.
Laura currently lives and works in Wilmington, Delaware.
Since 2003, her paintings have been exhibited and available for purchase at
The Station Gallery in Greenville, Delaware.
Her art can also be seen at Maureen's Gallery in Exton, Pennsylvania.
In November 2009, Laura was honored to attend an Arts Reception
at Vice President and Dr. Biden’s residence in Washington, D.C.,
where one of her paintings was on loan to the family.
where she was awarded a prize for proficiency in art. Her proximity to Paris allowed her
to study the French Impressionists and examine their use of color. Two years of traveling
throughout Europe broadened her artistic awareness and inspired her to pursue a career in art.
She went on to study painting and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1981
from Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia, then spent the following twelve years
in Chicago exhibiting oil paintings, pastels & collage boxes
and selling her painted furniture.
After moving to Delaware in 1994, Laura was employed as a picture framer and gallery
assistant in Hockessin where she displayed and sold her work. During that time,
she completed numerous portrait orders and personalized commissions for local homes,
successfully blending her clients' ideas and decors with her individual style.
Laura currently lives and works in Wilmington, Delaware.
Since 2003, her paintings have been exhibited and available for purchase at
The Station Gallery in Greenville, Delaware.
Her art can also be seen at Maureen's Gallery in Exton, Pennsylvania.
In November 2009, Laura was honored to attend an Arts Reception
at Vice President and Dr. Biden’s residence in Washington, D.C.,
where one of her paintings was on loan to the family.
Laura McMillan
Background Information
Education
1977 - 1981
Tyler School of Art Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Painting Major
The original dream of illustration as a career was deterred
by the graphic design courses required to get there.
And painting was really fun.
1975 - 1977
The International School of Brussels Brussels, Belgium
Academic Diploma, focus on art and art history
This was high school, but Europe always looks so good on a resume.
It was also the final push into acceptance that Art would be It.
Gallery Representation
The Station Gallery Greenville, Delaware
Maureen's Gallery Exton, Pennsylvania
Exhibits
Pop Up Art Gallery Kansas City, Missouri
Spring 2014
Shirley Stiles Gallery Westwood City Hall, Westwood, Kansas
November 2012
Main Street Studio Eufaula, Oklahoma
July 2012
Jenner’s Pond West Grove, Pennsylvania
January - February 2012 - Lobby & hallway display
Creations Gallery Newark, Delaware
2011 July - August
Unity Temple on the Plaza - Gallery Hall Kansas City, Missouri
2011 January
Stone Bridge Coffee House & Art Gallery Independence, Missouri
2010 June 18 - July 15 - Thirteen paintings on westward tour.
Vice President & Dr. Biden's Washington DC Residence
2010 - 2017 Painting "Sand Castle" on loan
2009 - 2010 Painting "Rockford Spring" on loan
The Grand Opera House Wilmington, Delaware
2007 December - Paintings on display in lobby
The Station Gallery Greenville, Delaware
2018 December - "Art Works for the Holidays"
2017 November- solo show, "paintings, Painted Furniture & Oddities"
2015 December - "Art Works for the Holidays"
2015 June - "Paintings" exhibit with Anna Massey Biggs & Ann A. Biggs
2014 December - "Art Works for the Holidays"
2013 November - solo show, "Surfacing"
2011 October - solo show, "Views from the Inside"
2010 December group show, "Art Works for the Holidays"
2010 August group show - "Summer Flip Flop"
2009 November - solo show, "Passages"
2009 January - February - group show, "Explorations ~ Celebrating 30 Years 1979-2009"
2008 December - group show, "Art Works for the Holidays"
2008 July - August- group show, "Summer Flip Flop"
2007 November - solo show, “Changing Seasons”
2006 December - group show, “Art Works for the Holidays”
"Big Koi" oil painting sold to Carla Markell, Delaware's First Lady.
2005 November- solo show, “New Paintings”
2005 July- group show
2004 December -group show, “Art Works for the Holidays”
2004 March- group show, “25th Anniversary Show”
2003 November- solo show, “New Paintings”
2003 August- group show
2003 February- group show
Home and Garden Culture of Longwood Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
2002 artwork on consignment
Hockessin Art Festival Hockessin, Delaware
2002 first (and last) participation in selling art from a booth,
but a good connection was made
The Big Picture Hockessin, Delaware
1994-2002 original work for sale, commissioned art & portraits
2001 print release “Christmas at Longwood”
Casino Art Gallery and Haircutting Salon Chicago, Illinois
1987 “Sisters”
Paintings, drawings and collage boxes by Laura
Puppet show by Joann
Off Center Café Chicago, Illinois
1984 Two person show
Works in oil, pastel, charcoal and collage
First nerve-wracking experience of having an opening.
Professional Experience
2002 - present
The Station Gallery Greenville, Delaware
Picture framing, gallery sales, commission work, and most recently, website wizardry.
Other duties include finding lost things and remembering people's names.
1994 - 2002
The Big Picture Hockessin, Delaware
Picture framing, gallery sales, commissioned artwork for private homes,
portrait orders, queen of the drymount press.
1994
McClain’s Furniture Muskogee, Oklahoma
Painted furniture commissioned and available for purchase.
A wardrobe was the high point of the furniture painting era.
1990 - 1994
Pieces, Art and Artware Highland Park, Illinois
Chiaroscuro Chicago, Illinois
Painted furniture on consignment. First experiences with very nice gallery owners.
1992 - 1994
Merlot Joe Chicago, Illinois
Relish Chicago, Illinois
Oil paintings on display in two small restaurants.
Resulted in one sale of the biggest painting completed in career history, so far.
1988
The Alaska Shop Chicago, Illinois
Brief part-time assistant manager position at an Eskimo art gallery.
The days were long and lonely, as Eskimo art sales were not fast or frequent.
There was a TV there.
1982 - 1990
Edwardo’s Chicago, Illinois
Longest leg of waitressing career.
Eight years of serving stuffed pizza spoiled consuming pizza for many years to follow.
1981
Flying Heart Theatre On the road: Georgia, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Colorado, Illinois
Summer puppet show tour with big sister, the Puppet Lady, Joann McMillan
A series of 6’ x 9’ backdrops was completed for puppet shows throughout the 1980’s.
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