Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Laura Mitsu. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Laura, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I believe my purpose in life is to remind people to live fully and deeply — to take chances on themselves, to learn to love and accept who they are, to grow, to express what’s within them, and to live authentically. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed, and this truth shapes how I approach life. Leaving my career as a line cook and sous chef to become an artist was a huge step in honoring these beliefs for myself.
If I hadn’t taken the chance to become an artist, I knew deep down I would have regretted it forever. That’s the lens through which I now live my life — do the things you know you’ll regret not doing. I can’t imagine anything more painful than reaching the end of life and wishing you had lived it differently. I hope that by sharing my journey, I encourage others to take bold steps in their own lives.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m an abstract artist based in Oakland, CA. I’m self-taught, so my process is very intuitive; I create in a flow state where I can channel emotions and discover new things about myself along the way. Curiosity and experimentation guide me in the studio, often leading to joyful, unexpected results. I love being surprised by what shows up on the canvas since I don’t plan my paintings ahead of time.
I work mostly with acrylics but also use a broad range of mediums, from oil sticks to pumice to gold leaf—whatever the painting tells me it needs in the moment. As I paint, poems often come through me, inspired by the work I’m creating. I think of these poems as messages or reminders, lessons I’m meant to reflect on and share. They explore themes like self-love, acceptance, connection, and transformation, and I really enjoy sharing them with my collectors.
This past spring, I had my first solo exhibition, “Poetic Abstraction,” at a gallery in San Francisco, CA. The show was a blend of abstract paintings and poems I wrote inspired by the work I created. I handwrote the poems directly on the gallery walls alongside the paintings, creating a more immersive experience. My intention was to make the event deeply personal, almost like inviting viewers into my heart and mind. It was a beautiful and transformative experience, and I’m excited to bring this concept to other cities in the future!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I’d say optimism, resilience, and authenticity have been key for me.
Having an optimistic and open-minded approach is a huge asset. I like to approach everything with a ‘Let’s see what happens!’ mentality. It keeps things light, curious, and open to possibilities. A rigid mindset can hold you back because things don’t always go as planned—but that doesn’t mean they won’t turn out to be exciting, beautiful, or beneficial. The magic often happens when we leave space for it.
Resilience is essential because, like most entrepreneurs, the artist’s path isn’t easy. There will be times of doubt, rejection, and frustration… every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow. If running your own business (or being an artist) is what you truly want, it’s important to keep showing up for yourself and your work.
Authenticity is deeply important, which is why it’s such a strong theme in my work. The more connected you are to what you do, the greater impact it will have on you and your audience who resonates with it. When I had my first solo exhibition this year, I decided to handwrite some of the poems on the gallery walls next to the paintings. I wasn’t sure how people would react, but I felt strongly that this was how I wanted to present the show. And you know what? People loved it! They cried, hugged me, and shared their personal stories—they connected with my work in a deeply vulnerable way because I allowed myself to be vulnerable in the first place. If I hadn’t trusted my inner voice, I might have missed out on that beautiful experience. Trust your vision and trust yourself.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal client connects with my art on a deep, emotional level. I like to say that ‘I make art for people who feel deeply,’ because those are the people who feel so seen when they experience my work. They’re most often women and members of the LGBTQIA+ community who value personal growth, connection, and transformation. They appreciate art not just for its visual appeal but for the emotional resonance it brings. To them, my work is more than just something to hang on their wall—it’s a reflection of their own journey and a source of inspiration for how they want to feel or who they want to become.
Because I don’t offer prints, my ideal client appreciates the uniqueness of original artwork. I put a lot of care into making every client’s purchase or commission special, by adding personal touches like handwritten poems, hand-painted cards, commission updates, complimentary shipping, invitations to visit my studio, and thoughtful gifts. My ideal clients truly appreciate these details, and they feel it elevates the entire experience of collecting art for their space.
If any of this sounds like you, I’d love to meet you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lauramitsu.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laura.mitsu.art
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-mitsu/
Image Credits
Photos #1 & 2 taken by Laura Mitsu
Photo #3 (action shot of Laura painting) taken by Kalie Capadona
Photos #4-8 taken by Laura Mitsu
Photo #9 (event photo) taken by Jackson Karlenzig
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
