La Gente del Pueblo

Come meet La Gente del Pueblo.

Even though I did not know it, this project started in 2021 when I wanted to thank the carpenters who were kindly providing me with pieces of wood on which to paint my Corazones de Colores. I decided to make them a little painting of themselves in their sweet woodshop, and gift it to them. They loved it and so did I - so next, I made a portrait of my friend Ale delivering her beautiful produce. Then for fun, I added two more people from the village - and did not touch it for almost two years, focusing on other passions.

In June of 2023, a wind of creativity blew through me and I decided to go back to the project and complete a series of 12 people from the village, and maybe make a calendar.

Something simple.

Ha!

It wasn't long before The Muse showed up in the form of a local friend and next thing I knew, I had committed to FIFTY FOUR paintings. In three months.

I spent the summer of 2023 in my studio, connecting with dozens of people from the village as I created their portraits.

This series is a work of love, a work of humility and a work of gratitude for all the people who have, one thread at a time, created the tapestry of my life for the last several years.

On December 7, in the middle of the village, we created a one-night exhibit that was deeply special. Together as a village, we really did HONOR and CELEBRATE the people who give the village its magic. At the bottom of this page, you will find photos from the show.

"Hi Laura, your paintings are so beautiful, honestly. They make me smile, they make me cry. Thank you for being here in the village for all of us."

"I am so impressed with this project and the impact your pieces have the individuals and community. I sometimes cry when I look at them. The honor imbued."

If you would like to purchase an original (if available) or a giclée print,
please contact me [email protected]

"Laura, your paintings and stories are a treasure of the village's community. You have captured the essence. Thank you for sharing your work."

"Una obra de arte❤️ muy hermoso tu trabajo felicidades ❤️😍😍😍me saca una gran sonrisa el saber que existen personas como tú queriéndole sacar unas sonrisa al mundo haciendo lo que te gusta ❤️👏👏👏👏"

"Laura, your paintings and stories are a treasure of the San Pancho community. We built our home here nearly 20 years ago and although the village is changing, you’ve captured the essence of why we are here. Thank you for sharing your work."

Juan de Jesus - available only as a giclée print
8" X 10"
Juan de Jesus sweeps the park each day, using his broom made of palm fronds. He works rhythmically, meditatively, patiently. Quietly. . One sweep of his broom at a time, he restores order and beauty to the heart center of the village. There is no rush, no surprise, just his work, his gift to the town. Like a series of breaths that heal. His work makes me pause and think about how much we can all affect our community, no matter who and where we are. Presence.

Laura Lavigne You are serving your talents and your subjects. I believe your work has affected many as well as yourself. Bet you had no idea of the magnitude of change when you started,

"Capturing cultural beauty takes more than the “eye”. It takes an intuitive “heart” that has experienced the beauty of diversity. You have many layers, Laura. Keep sharing and inspiring."

Teresa - available only as a giclée print
12" X 12"
One early morning in the summer, Teresa and I were the only two humans in the small area by the beach.

Nana Emilia - available only as a giclée print
12" X 12"
Her granddaughter asked me to paint her and sent me a photo. She told me that her beautiful grandma blesses the fishermen before they go out to sea in the morning. When I met Nana Emilia to bring her her painting, I was taken over by her beauty, her youthfulness, her JOY. Her womanliness, too. Her granddaughter tells me that people come to her to listen to stories of the village, and I can see why. Before I left her home, we hugged and she asked me when I would come back to visit. That choked me up a little bit. Love.

"De las cosas más bonitas que he visto ♥️ felicidades ✨!!! Que tú arte arranque felicidad y sonrisas a todos quien lo reciben y lo podemos ver 😍🥰!!!"

"De nuevo te digo muchas gracias por poner tus manos y tus ojos junto con tu corazón de artista en nuestro bello san pancho

Fue fantástica y única 🎉🥳"

Eva at the Frutaria
10" X 10"
Eva has sold me fruits and veggies from pretty much the first day I arrived. She always checks that they are not bruised and silently waves me to get another one when they are. Her whole family works and lives there and once, she gave me a few perfect words which I needed to hear. I am not sure how she knew. Recently her heart broke and even though I know this is not the kind of broken that chocolate can heal, I still baked them a chocolate torte. Wisdom.

The Churros - available only as a giclée print
8" X 10"
They set up in the same spot each time. They pop open the tailgate of their pick up truck and bring out the vat that will hold the hot hot oil. Then the special batter gets squeezed just right into the oil, in a beautiful spiral. The brown crispy-yet-soft dough comes out at the exact time only to be gently rolled into a bed of cinnamon sugar goodness. The spiral gets cut with scissors into bite-size morsels which get placed in a brown paper bag, where they do not last long.
This is pure pleasure, a reminder of the goodness of a simple life. Gratitude.

Vero
10" X 10"
Vero is one of the first people I talked with when I first moved into the village. She fed me a magical soup made of meatballs and a rich, herby tomato stew. Vero stands at the entrance of the school so that when the kids get out, they may buy fruity popsicles, crunchy snacks - and receive her kind smile in the process. Warmth.

"Great show. Such fine, original art. Gracias for sharing it."

"Wonderful documentary of our village."

"Wonderful show!"

"Absolutely amazing! We loved this show!"

San Francisco - available only as a giclée print
8" X 10"

"Brava!! Que increible, Laura. How you meet and unify the world with your heART. I'm super proud of you and this wonderful deep beautiful project, the core of what you've done, your reaching into and of the community , as well as the beautiful retratos. Can't wait to bring my print of Don Derio to our home. GRACIAS!!!! "

El Caballo - available only as a giclée print
8" X 10"
I saw this horse on my way to dinner with a friend and even though he does not qualify as "a person," I knew I wanted to include him in this series because he represents so much of the spirit of this village I love. Here he is, parked on a No Parking sign, personifying the joyful disregard for rules that lives in this tiny beach town. Delight.

Sorayada - available only as a giclée print
8" X 10"

Carolina - La Floreria - available only as a giclée print
10" X 10"

"Canas" - available only as a giclée print
10 X 10"

Don Juan and his Tuba - available only as a giclée print
10" X 10"

David y su Donas
12" X 12"
David carries a huge tray of donuts over his head as he walks through the village streets, the beach. He likes to tell everyone out loud that his donuts have no calories. His arrival brings joy to the tourists and the locals.
Some days, I like to believe him about the calories. Whimsy.

Brisa y La Gelateria - available only as a giclée print
12" X 12"

Amanda y sus Falafeles
12"X12"

Los de las Piñas - available only as a giclée print
10" X 10"

Antonio - available only as a giclée print
10" X 10"

Justo, el campeón de surf
10" X 10"

La Señora
12" X 12"

Marcos y Los Dulces - available only as a giclée print
12" X 12"

El Senõr Ruben y sus Instrumentos de Musica
12" X 12"

Nata y su Lavanderia
10" X 10"

Lazaro al Mercado El Indio - available only as a giclée print
12" X 12"

"I loved your art exhibition, I have lived here for a couple of years, so I have met the beautiful people you painted, it was really moving, very warm and pleasant, with the feeling of being family of the soul, thank you for your sensitivity, presence and exuberance."