Laura Mitsu (she/her) is an abstract artist whose work embodies an intuitive exploration of self-expression. A self-taught artist, Mitsu started in the culinary arts, working as a line cook/sous chef for almost a decade in Southern CA and NYC. Her love of making art with her hands led her to pursue visual art in 2022. Her work has been featured in print, in juried exhibitions in the Bay Area and online, and is held in private collections across the U.S. and internationally. In 2024, Mitsu debuted her first solo exhibition, Poetic Abstraction, in San Francisco, CA.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

Much of my work centers around themes of authenticity, connection, and the fleeting nature of our existence. Life is short, and tomorrow isn’t promised to any of us. Through my work, I aim to inspire viewers to live boldly, embrace vulnerability, and to love themselves. For me, being an artist is a way of expressing and honoring these truths in my own life.

I’m a self-taught artist, so my process is very intuitive; I create in a flow state where I channel emotions and allow myself to work without inhibitions. 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. It makes each one incredibly unique and special.

Another part of my creative process is writing poetry inspired by the paintings I’m creating. This has evolved organically, and I think of these poems as messages or reminders that I’m meant to reflect on and share. They often explore themes like self-love, acceptance, connection, growth, and transformation. I have displayed these poems next to my work and often receive wonderful feedback from viewers. My collectors also appreciate this aspect of my work, and I get a lot of joy sharing it with them.