Laura Collins was born in Chicago, Illinois. She pursued her love of art throughout her early years and while raising her family. She commenced her full time art career in 1998. Since then, workshops from known artists and at the Scottsdale Artist School, constant reading, experimentation, habitual plein air painting, and association with other professional artists, have each contributed to her progress. A firm believer in continuing study, she has participated for years in weekly life drawing, portraiture, and sculpture sessions in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, in the varying company of George Carlson, Don Ealy, Stan Miller and other professional artists. Her greatest influence stems from the work of renowned masters such as Edgar Payne, Vincent Van Gogh, George Carlson, Clyde Aspevig and Don Ealy. Don became a good friend and generous mentor to Laura during the last years of his life.
Laura has participated in juried shows in Montana, Washington, and Idaho. She has enjoyed plein air paint outs at various locations each year with friends and members of the Oil Painters of America, of which she is a member. In 2007 Laura was juried into the Top 100 Mini Division in the National Paint the Parks Competition. In 2008 and 2009 she was juried into the Oil Painters of America's Western Regional Show. She is also a member of the American Impressionist Society and Plein Air Painters of Oregon. Other recognition has included second place in an Idaho State Competition and both purchase and honorarium awards at various juried shows including the "Governor's Awards in the Arts" in Idaho in 2003. She is represented by a gallery in Cannon Beach, Oregon. Laura lives in Oregon with her husband, Michael, in a lovely home overlooking the Pacific Ocean.