PAINTING ON TOP OF THE WORLD

from Starved Rock Country Magazine - Winter 2021

by Shaw Media

CLIMBING THE FALLS

Paintingh On Top of the World

hOn Top of the World

Laurie Ragan’s latest artistic endeavor involves creating holiday scenes on globes

Story and Photos by Annette Barr

aurie Ragan was looking for a new way for people to enjoy and display her artwork — something different than the paintings and faux finishes she mainly did. It was while shopping with a friend that inspiration struck.

“I said to Mary Kay, ‘What if I painted on globes?’ She said, ‘This is brilliant! What a great idea,’” says Ragan while stopping to chat in front of one of her paintings decorating a kitchen wall.

Since then, the Starved Rock Country artist has been creating her paintings on spheres while “telling a story with a paintbrush,” in addition to canvas. Most of the globes are purchased new, providing a smooth finish for Ragan to paint.

“Sometimes I can find a really nice vintage globe. I bought this one because it had a lot of lumps so I incorporated the lumps into the clouds and I thought it made it look more dimensional,” Ragan says, holding up one of her holiday globes depicting Santa and his reindeer making their Christmas Eve run.

When Ragan was just 3 years old, she fell in love with art, primarily drawing and creating. As she progressed through elementary and high school, the Morris native continued to put pencil to paper. In the 1970s, when she became a stay-at-home mom living in Ottawa, she had a desire to express herself through art and add “artist” to the titles of mom and wife. Having never taken an art class, she picked up a paintbrush and honed her skills through trial and error.

Eventually she began showing and selling her paintings at Starved Rock Country art fairs. Her work gained popularity — and now, her artwork has been a success for many years.

A few career highlights include appearing on the home shopping network, QVC, in 1995 when she was one of 20 creators chosen from 500 to appear live from Chicago’s Navy

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To purchase her artwork, contact Laurie Ragan:

WEB: www.ArtbyRagan.com EMAIL: raganart@hotmail.com FACEBOOK: Art By Ragan

Pier during the station’s “Quest for America’s Best.” She sold an original handmade depiction of Geronimo from her American Heroes and Legends Doll collection. Her custom Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman Doll was given to the actress Jane Seymour, who portrayed the character on the popular television show, at an appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show.

Her career has included many area art awards and recognition not only from her peers, but from avid collectors and clients as well. Her work includes faux finishes, creating dimensional wall designs that look as though plaster is chipping to reveal exposed brick, as well as murals. Ragan’s murals can be seen at many Starved Rock Country locations, including A’Lure Aquarium Bar, Deja Vu and Grand Bear Resort, among others.

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