Andy Warhol, born Andrew Warhola, is an iconic artist, a prominent figure in the pop art movement, and considered one of the most important artists of the second half of the 20th century. His work includes his famous Campbell’s Soup and Marilyn Monroe silkscreen paintings, among many others.

The late artist grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, now home to the Andy Warhol Museum. Visitors can admire some of  Warhol’s artwork and archival materials in the museum. In addition, they can observe a ceramic tile mural in the pop district, an expansion of the Warhol Museum. However, this artwork is not of Warhol but from a local artist who took inspiration from his mother.

Laura McLaughlin in front of her tile mural, Julia, inspired by Julia Warhola; Photo: Laura Jean McLaughlin

Meet Laura Jean McLaughlin, the artist who created the piece “Julia.” McLaughlin and Andy Warhol share Julia Warhola’s inspiration. When McLaughlin was doing her research for the tile mural, she learned that Andy Warhol’s mother inspired him a lot. During the research, Mclaughlin turned to Julia’s artwork as stepping stones for her piece at the museum.

The process started when the museum’s curator, José Diaz, contacted McLaughlin about a piece she created at home. “When he came he just though my work reminded him of Julia,” McLaughlin tells us.”That’s where that whole thing came from.” She came up with some designs based on Julia’s work, while learning more about the Warhola’s along the way. McLaughlin said, “I totally immersed myself into her artwork and her vision and tried to emulate that.”

Warhol’s Influence

Andy Warhol, Self Portrait, 1986; Photo: The Andy Warhol Museum

McLaughlin isn’t the only artist inspired by Warhol; a lot of artists in the city of Pittsburgh are influenced by Warhol. Pittsburgh has a tight-knit art scene, and when one of your own makes it to the level of fame Warhol did, it’s easy to be influenced by that. Warhol made art accessible to people, in McLaughlin’s opinion. For example, the common Campbell’s Soup can is now immortalized in an art piece. An everyday item was turned into art because Warhol believed everything can be art. That is why his work was so accessible to people. “There is so many levels that Andy has influenced me,” she said. “I think he has changed how people perceive artwork.”

Warhol left Pittsburgh in 1949 because the opportunities to pursue his art career were slim. However, plenty of Warhol’s influence is still alive in the Steel City. It even extends to the future generation of artists with the Warhol Academy. “They don’t want what happened to Andy, that he had to leave to make his living,” McLaughlin said. “They want to empower the youth of Pittsburgh to come and learn the skills.”

About the Artist

Laura Jean McLaughlin working on a tile mural in her studio; Photo: Laura Jean McLaughlin.

Art wasn’t always McLaughlin’s full time job, but the passion was always there. She tells us, as a kid, she was always interested in drawing and painting. However, her studies took her to college for Medical Technology where she worked in a lab. While there, she started taking additional classes that included a clay class. McLaughlin’s professor eventually pushed her to apply for graduate school to pursue art further.

McLaughlin’s Master’s Degree is in ceramics, but she also got her teaching certificate there. Her work outside of making art was teaching it in the community. Now, she makes her art full time and has been for almost 30 years.

Her work includes her passion for ceramics, like the tile mural at the Warhol Museum, clay, and mosaics. She also does a lot of work in the community, creating over 100 public art pieces all across the region and as far away as Denmark.

Art is something that Laura has always loved doing when she was young. She leaves the next generation of artists with some simple but important advice.

“Totally believe in yourself and just keep doing it,” she said. “Things somehow always work out; just try and stick with the vision.”

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