Take Up Space by Laura Baran
Acrylic/mixed media on paper, 24 inches x 36 inches
2022
The Take Up Space series is a collection of FOUR acrylic works sourced from my personal PHOTOs, documenting a journey toward confidence, integrity, and PASSIONATE self-expression.
These paintings celebrate the healing change THAT THRIVES THROUGH loving, supportive relationships, and THE SANCTUARY OF COMMUNITY CARE.
Self Portrait WITH FLOWERS AND a Tom Petty Shirt (When Money BeCOMES KING)
Acrylic/mixed media on 140 lb watercolor paper
24” x 36”
In this self-portrait, sourced from a spontaneous moment captured by my son, I explore the act of silliness as a form of bravery against a culture of relentless productivity. By documenting a memory of lightheartedness — adorned with flowers gathered by children — I flank playful imagery against the weight of the '“Money Becomes King” motif, as shown on the Tom Petty shirt I wear, referencing his song by that name, and questioning the systems that prioritize profit over humanity. This work explores the power of defiance and the necessity of rest. It is a visual manifesto that while kingdoms may fall, the intentional acts of love, fun, and community care remain our deep strengths.
Leo and the Waves in Rockaway BEACH (THE WAVES WE RIDE)
Acrylic/mixed media on 140 lb watercolor paper
24” x 36”
In this poignant figurative work, I depict my son, Leo, documenting wave-patterned street art in the Rockaways — a community defined by its extraordinary recovery after Hurricane Sandy. Having survived both early medical trauma and a 2021 apartment fire, Leo stands here as an embodiment of the ebb and flow, the waves we ride, that define the human experience. This painting is an archive of creativity and bravery, combining imagery of the unpredictable forces of nature with the strength of mutual aid and amazing beauty of a child’s creative gaze. It is a tribute to our capacity to rebuild, a meditation on our interconnectedness, and a wonderment at the courage required to ride the waves of life.
Take Up Space (Mollie and Dani embracing after NYFW)
Acrylic/mixed media on 140 lb watercolor paper
24” x 36”
At the heart of this series is a portrait of my two friends, Mollie and Dani — intuitive souls who have stood as pillars of strength through the healing of generational trauma and the triumphs of our professional lives. From the high-stakes energy of New York Fashion Week where we collaborated to bring Dani’s custom Monrowe hats to the runway to the quiet, profound embrace of a goodbye hug, this painting celebrates the healing power of loving, supportive friendships. By documenting our shared commitment to occupying our rightful space in the world, these works are a testament to the force of community and the beauty of showing up for one another.
Postpartum is Forever (Chanel PorCHia-Albert QUOTE)
Acrylic/mixed media on 140 lb watercolor paper
24” x 36”
This painting is a call to recognize abortion as the foundation of public health and individual resilience — a visual argument that true creativity and healing can only flourish when we have the right to choose the shape of our own lives. In this self-portrait, I explore the intersection of bodily autonomy and parental legacy, wearing a Monrowe hat designed by Dani Evans and a shirt bearing Chanel Porchia-Albert’s vital reminder: 'Postpartum is Forever.' This is a statement for reproductive freedom, through a self portrait documenting the reality that my current motherhood was made possible only by the essential healthcare of a life-saving abortion two decades prior. People who birth children never get to claim their pre-birth lives back, and forced birth is an atrocity.
MORE ABOUT TAKE UP SPACE
My practice is GROUNDED in visual gratitude,
translating my own photography into narratives of connection. I work as a way to TAKE UP SPACE by greeting the pain and blessings in my life, and calling attention to the lasting effects of the human experience.
my work is a living archive of DETERMINATION.
I document myself, my family, and friends, along with our shared experiences and our commitment to claiming our rightful space in the world. TAKE UP SPACE testifies to the enduring power of community and the importance of showing up both for ourselves and for one another.
a portrait of my son
In “Leo and the Waves,” I explore the privilege of witnessing joy in a quiet, soulful snapshot of family life.
Painting this fleeting moment of watching my son’s creative gaze amidst the storied resilience of the Rockaways is a way for me to transform the brevity of life into heirloom-quality fine art.
I wish all families had the right to shared time and creativity, which has become a luxury.
From the high-PRESSURE energy of New York Fashion Week, TO SIMPLE MOMENTS OF PRESENCE,
I show the impactful beauty found in our capacity to rebuild and TAKE UP SPACE.