Laura was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, as the eighth daughter of ten children. Her higher education began at Trinity College Dublin in a business degree programme, before her apparent gift drew her to the USA to study at the School of visual Arts in New York where on graduating she was awarded the Outstanding Achievement in Illustration Award.
On completing her education in New York, Laura returned to Ireland and began her career as a freelance illustrator. During this time she did a variety of work, including regular drawings and paintings for the two National Newspapers, weekly portraits for the Irish Times, and court drawings for the Independant. She then began to concentrate on fine art, and had her first solo sell out exhibition in 1999 at the James Gallery, Dalkey.
Laura works predominantly in oil. Her work is very much a portrayal of her own life experiences, and is inspired by her family, surroundings and the human figure. Her ability to to capture light, reflection, and shadow gives rise to the most captivating beach and street scenes.
Her portrait work has earned her awards and pride of place in some of the most eminent collections and family homes. Her most recent success, May 2020, was to win first place in the Sky Portrait Artist of the Week.
She has the innate ability to capture the most subtle of human expression, conveying the absolute essence of the individual.
Laura has enjoyed highly successful solo shows in Ireland and London, and she has taken private and corporate commissions throughout Ireland, Europe, and the USA.
Laura is married to Michael Grehan and has two daughters and a son. They live in South Dublin, close to the sea where much of her inspiration is drawn.
EXHIBITIONS:
RHA 190th Annual Exhibition 2020
RUA Annual Exhibition 2020
RHA 189th annual Exhibition 2019
RUA Annual Exhibition 2019
RHA 188th Annual Exhibition 2018
Wainwright House, Rye, NY May 2018
The Glasthule Gallery 2017
RHA 186th Annual Exhibition 2016
RHA 185th Annual Exhibition 2015
Gormleys June 2015
RHA 184th Annual Exhibition 2014
RHA 183rd Annual Exhibition 2013
DLR Spring Exhibition 2013
RHA 182nd Annual Exhibition 2012
Greenacres Gallery, Wexford 2010, 2011, 2012
RHA Annual Exhibition 1997
James Gallery, Dublin 1999-2007
Square One Gallery, London 2006
Greenlane Gallery, Paris 2006
Solart Gallery, Dublin
Watercolour Society of Ireland (Member since 1997)
AWARDS:
KM Evan’s Award at Watercolour Society of Ireland (WCSI) 2012
Art in the Open, Wexford, Highly Commended 2010
Art in the Open, Wexford. Overall Winner 2009
Whyte’s Auctioneers Award at WCSI 2008 Exhibition
O’Sullivan Design Award at WCSI 2006 Exhibition
Annual Scholarship Award 1993 from the Society of Illustrators, NY.
Outstanding Achievement in Illustration Award, School of Visual Arts, NY Graduation.
