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.

Any painting from this series, if not available as a original, can be reproduced in any size as a high quality archival print either on canvas or on paper. email me for info.

"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."

Note: These three first paintings were added to the original collection in 2024 to complete the set of 54 cards of La Loteria de San Pancho. The fourth one is a commissioned portrait of Luis, one of the village's beloved town musicians.

Juan de Jesus - available as a print

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

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 print

Nana Emilia - available as a print

"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 🎉🥳"

"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."

Eva at the Frutaria

The Churros - available as a print

Vero

"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 as a print

"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 print

Sorayada - available only as a print

Carolina - La Floreria - available as a print

"Canas" - available as a print

Don Juan and his Tuba - available as a print

David y su Donas

Brisa y La Gelateria - available as a print

Amanda y sus Falafeles

Los de las Piñas - available as a print

Antonio - available as a print

Justo, el campeón de surf

La Señora

Marcos y Los Dulces - available as a print

El Senõr Ruben y sus Instrumentos de Musica

Nata y su Lavanderia

Lazaro al Mercado El Indio - available as a print

"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."