A paint brush for a pen

An artist’s story is never finished

Every painting tells a story. That is especially the case for self-taught artist Laurie Ragan. Her whimsical style brings warmth and emotion to her work, which often depicts animals in harmony, evoking fables and stories from childhood. “I like saying that I tell a story with a paintbrush,” she shares.

Ragan’s love for art began at the tender age of 3, when her mother handed her a box of crayons to keep her occupied. Drawing quickly became her refuge, though her shyness made her hesitant to share her talent.

“I would draw pictures, and people would say, ‘Who drew this?’” Ragan recalls. “I would be mortified because I was getting attention. People have liked my art since back then, but I really didn’t do anything about it, because I thought, ‘I’m nobody … I’m just a kid drawing.’”

A painting of a rabbit standing on hind legs, watching bees fly around a small tree. — “Let It Bee” painting on canvas by Laurie Ragan

Seventy years later, Ragan reflects on her career as an artist — a career that is going strong today as she continues to seek ways to improve, innovate and inspire a sense of wonder for those who view her art.

Born and raised in Morris, Ill., she moved to Ottawa in 1972, when her husband Bill secured a teaching job at Ottawa High School. Today, they reside south of Ottawa on Corn Belt Energy Corporation lines.

Art was always a quiet yet powerful thread that ran through her life. However, it wasn’t until she had her first child at age 23 that she took her passion more seriously, diving into painting techniques that would shape her future work.

Over the years, she experimented with various mediums, from oil paintings of children to barn scenes and sculptures. She explored woodworking, hand-building with clay and doll-making. Her work always came back to painting whimsical nature and wildlife scenes on canvas; however, she didn’t limit herself to canvas alone.

Ragan also discovered a passion for faux finishing, a skill she honed over the years. Faux finishing is a painting technique used to create the illusion of texture or material on a wall, including brickwork, Venetian plaster and marbling. She mastered various techniques, which led to a successful career in decorative wall art.

Her projects ranged from private homes to large-scale facilities, where she spent months working on scaffolding. “Every stone and every brick are hand-drawn and painted individually. So, it takes a while to do,” Ragan says.

One project she distinctly remembers was at a farm with Arabian and Friesian horses, which took a year and a half to complete. She did the whole home in faux finishes and murals, all the while surrounded by ponds and running horses. “It was an incredible experience,” she says.

Her latest pursuit is painting scenes on globes. This unique approach, which she could find no existing examples of online, has become her signature style. With a keen eye for detail and years of experience, she perfected the technique of painting on a curved surface, ensuring that each element remains visually cohesive as it circumvents the globe. Every globe she paints is a one-of-a-kind piece, as they cannot be reproduced or duplicated.

“People love knowing that when they buy one, there’s never going to be another like it,” she says. “They take a long time to do — some take more than 45 hours,” she says. With about 50 globes completed so far, each creation is a labor of love, and she has a room full of globes awaiting her creative touch.

Ragan’s love of wildlife shines through in her art, whether on canvases, globes, boxes, birdhouses or on walls. In one painting, a fox peacefully coexists with a den of rabbits. In another, a grandmother rabbit watches over young ones in a nurturing scene.

“First, I paint the eyes, because then it brings the painting to life. When I paint the eyes, I add in a little glint and a gleam, and it’s looking back at me,” Ragan says. “And no animals get hurt in my paintings — they’re all happy.”

Her work resonates deeply with viewers. “It surprises me when people stand there, look at my art and say, ‘This is incredible,’” she admits. “I just paint what I love. … I want people to look at my work and feel good.”

Her love of art is expressed in every inch of wall space in her carefully curated home, from her own canvas paintings hanging on walls to hand-painted murals and faux-finished brickwork. Adding to this, blown glass, pottery and felt art by other professional artists are also scattered throughout her home.

Beyond personal artistry, she has found joy in sharing her love of creating art with her grandchildren — and many have shown a natural aptitude for it. Their framed paintings are displayed throughout her home. While their interests have evolved over time, she cherishes those moments of teaching them techniques and an appreciation for the arts.

One bedroom in her home is dedicated to her grandchildren. “I told them I was going to paint them in a fairytale,” Ragan says. And she did. Each wall is filled with a medieval scene, complete with a dragon and her grandchildren scattered throughout. Though, she admits, there are a few more she needs to add.

Ragan is drawn to a supportive community of artists in and around Ottawa. During her time as an artist, she has participated in numerous art shows throughout the state and beyond but has cut back in recent years.

“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve scaled back on the big shows,” she says, noting the physical toll of hauling tents and displays. Instead, she focuses on select fall and Christmas shows, where she consistently sells out her work. This includes events at Rusty Halo in Ottawa and Artisan Market at Hornbaker Gardens in Princeton.

Despite her success, Ragan remains grounded. “I’ve been fortunate. I’m not rich or famous or anything, but it’s kept me busy,” Ragan says. “It’s not about making money … it’s about the satisfaction of seeing your finished work and people liking what you’ve made. It’s incredible.”

Although she has stepped away from the physically demanding aspects of her career, art continues to shape her life. Looking back, she sees continuous improvement in her craft.

“I think I’ve gotten better,” Ragan reflects. “I’m always critical of myself — I never think I’ve done my best. I believe artists should always strive to improve.”

Her work has found homes across the country, with customers discovering her art online and reaching out directly to purchase pieces. Social media, particularly Facebook, has become her main platform for sales. Between Facebook and her year-end shows, Ragan says she sells out every year and must start over every January.

To everyone with a dream, Ragan urges, “Don’t give up. If you love it, there’s something to it. If you’re passionate about something — whether it’s painting, nursing or construction — do it. I never gave up. Though I probably drove my husband crazy with the messes I’ve made, I followed my passion. You should, too.”