Laura McCarthy

Bio

Laura McCarthy recently joined Sopa Fine Arts as our new Junior Associate. A graduate of the University of British Columbia Okanagan with a degree in Fine Arts, Laura specialized in Visual Arts, focusing her practice on charcoal drawings, large-scale paintings, and digital media. Her passion for art has been a lifelong journey, beginning in childhood to a dedicated academic and creative career. With a strong foundation in both traditional and contemporary mediums, Laura brings enthusiasm, creativity, and a deep appreciation for the arts to her role at the gallery.

Laura is also an active local artist in the Okanagan, with her work exhibited in galleries across Kelowna and Vernon, including Sopa Fine Arts as well, and in several independent businesses throughout Kelowna.

Laura’s artistic interests lean toward the dark and surreal, drawing inspiration from artists such as H.R. Giger, Zdzisław Beksiński, Francisco Goya, and Francis Bacon. Their influence can be seen in her own work, which often explores eerie, unsettling themes with a deeply expressive edge. Even though Laura is drawn to the dark and eerie, she holds deep appreciation for both contemporary and traditional art across all mediums. She approaches each piece with compassion and curiosity, especially when it comes to learning new techniques and exploring the technical processes behind painting.