76 PUNCHMAGAZINE.COM up on the beach and the lifeguard stands I paint are those from our little shore towns. Every town has its own style of stands.” When it’s pointed out that West Coast beaches are pretty fantastic, Laura laughs and agrees. “I love Half Moon Bay!” It is the backdrop for a recent painting of family members who were visiting from the East Coast. “We were excited to show them the Half Moon Bay coastline and tidepools. The afternoon West Coast light was perfect,” she says. Now that she has time to devote to her art, Laura has begun to tackle the challenge of putting it out into the world. She made a website where she displays examples of both her figurative and architectural paintings, and she has participated in Silicon Valley Open Studios. Like many artists, she also uses Instagram to show her work—although she admits, “I don’t love social media.” When told that her paintings are bright and cheerful, she is clearly pleased. “I think in most of my paintings, I am trying to capture moments of joy,” she says. As she packs and prepares for summer in New Jersey in June, Laura is already looking ahead to autumn in California. With her youngest child college-bound, she will have more time to fully devote to her art. “I am hoping to have a more structured, daily practice in the future, with a full work schedule when I can produce more and continue to learn from artists I admire.” Laura smiles, “This is a good turning point for me.” summer shores laura-hughes-art.squarespace.com {home & design} ABOVE: (clockwise from top left) After the Storm; Reclined Reader; Ready to Roll; Be More Pacific.
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