Featured at West + Main RiNo: Laura Goodson

Please join us in RiNo for First Friday, featuring artist Laura Goodson

Here & Now

2632 Blake Street, Denver
2.7.2025, 6-9pm

Meet Laura

Laura's art embodies the essence of the modern West, a tapestry woven with tales of cowboys, bandits, renegades and the western landscapes. With each brushstroke, Laura breathes life into her subjects, infusing them with a sense of nostalgia and reverence for the West’s storied past. Her art serves as a timeless homage to the cowboys and outlaws who shaped the landscape, while also celebrating the enduring spirit of resilience and adventure that defines a region. Traditionally drawn to the simplicity of black and white, Laura's work embodies the stark contrast of light and shadow, mirroring the raw intensity of the American west. Yet, as she journeys deeper into her craft, she boldly ventures beyond the confines of monochrome, embracing the vibrant hues of the sunset-lit prairies and the rich tones of the rock filled canyons. 

Her art represents more than what is delivered 2 dimensionally; it also represents love lost, love gained, the laughter shared between friends, and the quiet moments of introspection beneath a starlit Texas sky. Laura's art isn't just about paint and brushstrokes—it's a reflection of who she is and her generous spirit. She's not one to simply paint a piece and call it a day; she's out there, boots on the ground, building spaces and places to celebrate other folks and members of the community. Laura is the epitome of a true Texan,  always ready to lend a helping hand and share a good laugh.

Learn more about Laura in our Q & A!

How did your business come to exist?

I started producing artwork in Houston, through the pursuit of love. That of course grew over the years and has made many twists and turns. It has developed into its own love story; with me and my love for self expression.

Who or what is your biggest influence?

My biggest influences are Mark Maggiori for his art/talent, Kevin Chupik who is an all around good human and artist, and I’m a big fan of my dad and his work ethic

What are you working on right now?

Lighting and sculpture pieces. Neon cowboys and wire hat sculptures for example.

How did you arrive where you are today?

Standing back up after getting knocked down.

What are your thoughts about your city's creative scene for artists, designers, crafters, makers, and/or small businesses?

 I oscillate between Denver and Houston which both have THRIVING creative scenes. I have to say the amount of creatives that inspire me in these two locations is sometimes overwhelming, in the best way. I am constantly in awe of how these folks can be creative, run a business, and manage life in times of genuine crisis/chaos. It definitely pushes me to keep going and to do things bigger than i did yesterday.

What do you like to do outside of work?

I like hobby projects and creating spaces. That could be as simple as clearing brush off of a fence line or re-designing a hotel/space/concept...it goes without saying, I'll also never turn down a round of golf.

What is the best piece of advice that you ever received?

Say yes when you feel like no is easier, take the opportunity, shoot the shot, fail fast....people doing more than you won't have time to talk negatively, there are too many!

What is your biggest challenge?

 Battling depression and my own thoughts.

Where do you find inspiration?

Travel, other humans, architecture, nature

Get in touch with Laura Goodson

Website: https://lauragoodsonart.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauragoodsonart/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraGoodsonArt/

If you are a local artist/crafter/maker/indie business owner and would like to be featured on our blog, please fill out this form or contact Ashley at ashley@westandmainhomes.com with questions...we can't wait to learn all about you!

Featured at West + Main Louisville: Lilianna Story

Please join us in Louisville for First Friday, featuring photographer Lilianna Story

Old Mexico

920 Main Street
12.06.2024, 6-9pm

Meet Lilianna

Lilianna Story is a photographer from Texas, specializing in fine art photography from different parts of the world.

Lilianna started photographing professionally over 20 years ago. She was mostly influenced by her father, who was also a photographer.  He taught her how to photograph with heart.  He photographed presidents and celebrities, including John Kennedy, Jacquelin Onassis and Lyndon B. Johnson.  His favorite work involved human interest stories and this taught Lilianna how to capture life through the lens.

"My goal is to capture people and places which evoke emotion and help tell a story."

MAESTRO DE SOGA

Learn more about Lilianna in our Q+A!

How did your business come to exist?

I never set out to be a photographer. I started photographing with my father‘s camera.  Then someone asked me to photograph professionally. I was fearful, but then I said yes. I’ve enjoyed it ever since.

What are you known for?

Many people will say my work is known for capturing light and giving importance to negative space in a photograph.  But ultimately, the observer defines that.

What are you currently working on?

I recently returned from India, so I am working on a series for exhibition.

CHARRA

What is your favorite part of your job?

Being able to give and serve this way is humbling and makes me happy.

What is the best piece of advice that you have ever gotten?

My father always says, “enjoy it, share it, and remember that it does not come from you.”

What do you like to do when you are not working?

I love family. Being around them, re-energizes my soul.

CHARRO

What is your biggest challenge?

My biggest challenge is promoting my work. It feels awkward to self promote.

Who/What are your biggest influences?

My parents are a big influence to me. They are honest and loving and very nurturing.  Above all, God steers me.

What is your dream project?

My dream project would be to photograph a unique culture that no one really knows about. And working with children, I love working with children.

Get in touch with Lilianna

Website: https://www.liliannastory.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liliannastoryphotography

If you are a local artist/crafter/maker/indie business owner and would like to be featured on our blog, please fill out this form or contact Ashley at ashley@westandmainhomes.com with questions...we can't wait to learn all about you!

Featured at West + Main Littleton: Traci Zajaczkowski

Join us for First Friday in Littleton, featuring Traci Zajaczkowski

Life in Color

2590 W Main St
011.01.2024, 6-9pm

Meet Traci

Traci’s art focuses on colorful and detailed animal portraits. She loves the animals that roam in the beautiful state of Colorado and strives to bring their personalities out with vibrant colors and stylized details. Animals are magical. Traci wants to bring a little bit of that magic and joy back to the viewer. Her most recent works focus on fusing the beauty of nature within the beauty of the animals themselves, emphasizing the importance of our natural surroundings. Traci works in mixed media, with a combination of colored pencils, markers, watercolor, and acrylic paints. She has an MA in illustration from Syracuse University.

Traci believes that whatever you do in the world, you should find a way to make the world a better place, and you should do it with passion. Traci is passionate about kids, art, animals, and the mountains. She strives to use her art and skills to partner with like minded organizations, to provide leadership and growth opportunities for kids, and to help keep the animals that she loves safe for generations.

Learn more about Traci Zajaczkowski in our Q & A!

How did your business come to exist?

When I was in 9th grade, I made the decision to drop band and take an art class. Within a week of being in that class, I knew I wanted to be an artist. I decided to go to school to be an art teacher and create art on the side, which was a great path for me, as I loved teaching art, and did so for 19 years. While I never stopped creating and growing as an artist all those years, I didn't have the confidence to put myself out in the world as an artist, but I always knew that I would at some point. In 2021, I took the plunge and resigned from teaching, and diving into not only making my art, but making a point to get it out there.

What are you currently working on?

I am currently finishing a piece I started quite a while ago and got stuck on. It is a porcupine whose quills turn into flowers. I am currently working my way through problem solving the background, which stumped me.

What is the best piece of advice that you ever received?

A piece of advice that I have found to be my mantra lately is "be brave, Flora" and it comes from the book "The One memory of Flora Banks", by Emily Barr. It is about a 17 year old who suffers from short term memory loss and goes on an adventure. She "wakes up" every few minutes to find that she has no memory of where she is or how she got there except a tattoo on her hand that says "be brave". Since reading this book, it has become my mantra, reminding me to take risks and intentionally do things that scare me or take me out of my comfort zone. It is part of the reason why I am on this adventure of being solely an artist today.

What is your dream project?

I recently did an artists residency at the children's museum in Denver where I created a small scavenger hunt of my artwork through a section of the museum. I loved not only working with the kids there, but the process of making art for a public space. I want to do more of this! This experience really made me realize that I want to move into doing public art - especially in kid friendly spaces.

Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration in nature. I love to be outdoors, and I love experiences with animals, especially in the wild. I want to translate that experience through my work.

If you had a choice between two superpowers, being invisible or flying, which would you choose??

Defginitely flying. First, the whole point of getting my work out there is NOT to be invisible anymore. Secondly, I used to be a skydiver.I have made 550 jumps. I love the feeling of being in the sky and have always wished that I could fly.

• Get in touch with Traci Zajaczkowski

Website: https://tracizart.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracizart/#

If you are a local artist/crafter/maker/indie business owner and would like to be featured on our blog, please fill out this form or contact Ashley at ashley@westandmainhomes.com with questions...we can't wait to learn all about you!

Featured at West + Main RiNo: Jini Kim Veenker

Please join us in RiNo for First Friday, featuring artist Jini Kim Veenker

Printmakers Exhibition

2632 Blake Street, Denver
10.4.2024, 6-9pm

Meet Jini

Jini Veenker (Jini Kimchi) is a printmaker originally from Tulsa, Oklahoma. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Oklahoma State University and her Master of Fine Arts at The University of Tulsa.

Jini is inspired by her spirituality, dark nature, and her Korean heritage.

Learn more about Jini in our Q & A!

Where do you find inspiration?

My work is deeply inspired by Korean resilience and heavy metal. I love alternative culture and don't see enough Korean representation, so I like to think I'm a positive addition to that conversation.

What is your dream project?

My dream project would be creating album art for a band that I love.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Karaoke and food.

What are your thoughts about your city's creative scene for artists, designers, crafters, makers, and/or small businesses?

 Denver is such a colorful, unique, eclectic place for artists. This place has all the potential and resources for us.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received?

Walk the walk. Don't talk the talk.

If you had a choice between two superpowers, being invisible or flying, which would you choose?

I'd rather fly than be invisible because I like the idea of being able to remove myself from any situation.

Get in touch with Jini

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jini.kimchis.printing/
Website: https://linktr.ee/jinikimveenker

If you are a local artist/crafter/maker/indie business owner and would like to be featured on our blog, please fill out this form or contact Ashley at ashley@westandmainhomes.com with questions...we can't wait to learn all about you!

Featured at West + Main RiNo: Leilani Nobuko Derr

Please join us in RiNo for First Friday, featuring artist Leilani Nobuko Derr

Printmakers Exhibition

2632 Blake Street, Denver
10.4.2024, 6-9pm

Meet Leilani

Leilani Nobuko Derr (she/her) is a visual artist and designer who explores thought-provoking themes through whimsical illustrations. In her work, she often incorporates mythologies, symbols, and superstitions from her multi-cultural “hapa” upbringing and finds inspiration through shared experiences, relentless curiosity, and community connections.

She received her BA at Coastal Carolina University where she pursued graphic design and printmaking. Since moving to Colorado in 2010, Leilani has spent much of her creative career designing in branding agencies and marketing departments for which she has been the recipient of multiple ADDY and SPJ awards.

Her passion for public art expanded during her decade of work as Creative Lead of Art and Design in Adams County, Colo. public libraries. While working as a designer for the seven branch district north of Denver, she specialized in art direction and helped to launch community art initiatives, partnering with local artists and organizations.

Learn more about Leilani in our Q & A!

Where do you find inspiration?

Literally everywhere. My camera roll is full of photo-notes just from weird patterns, bugs, interesting shadows and lighting I find just in my house. Everything is a shiny object to me. I’m easily distractible and amazed by the most mundane things. My partner refers to me as a puppy sometimes.

What are you working on right now?

Lately, I’ve been leaning into these surreal depictions of what intense emotions manifest for me and often mixing them with cryptids and themes from Japanese folklore. It’s been work that I’ve been the most hesitant to share because of the vulnerability component, but they’ve often been the most well received because they are of a relatable emotional foundation.

What do you like to do outside of work?

Rhythm rollerskating! When I am able to roll to the beat of a song I love, the worst parts of my brain shut off for a moment and the world feels okay.

What are your thoughts about your city's creative scene for artists, designers, crafters, makers, and/or small businesses?

 It’s beautiful and growing! I’ve lived in and around Denver for 14 years now and I’m only just beginning to dip my toe into our arts community. Mostly because I felt intimidated. I came from a smaller town and wasn’t sure how to find or be a part of a community that seemed overwhelmingly large in comparison. And honestly, I was feeling terrified of rejection. Pushing past those fears and putting in the effort to seek out those friendships, supports, and communities in the Denver arts scene has been the most personally rewarding and fruitful work I’ve done in my young artistic career. We have this incredible community of diverse, loving, and helpful people who do not hesitate to support one another. I’m grateful to become a part of it.

What is the best piece of advice you ever received?

“Beating yourself up doesn’t make you stronger - it leaves you bruised.” Adam Grant
I’ve sunk so much precious time and energy into a practice of self-flagellation, that did way more harm to myself and artistic practice, than good. It resulted in higher levels of anxiety, fear of failure/rejection, and self sabotage. I would become creatively paralyzed. How could I possibly be good or helpful for others if I couldn’t even be good to myself? It was a realizations that lead me to finally be able to embrace self-compassion in a way that didn’t feel overly narcissistic or woo woo.

Get in touch with Leilani

Website: https://leilaniderr.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leilani.nobuko.derr

If you are a local artist/crafter/maker/indie business owner and would like to be featured on our blog, please fill out this form or contact Ashley at ashley@westandmainhomes.com with questions...we can't wait to learn all about you!