LaDara McKinnon is a classically trained, teaching abstract painter, curator, and business owner based in Charlotte, NC. She grew up in Okinawa, Japan and in Oahu, Hawai'i, which informs her insights into cultural syncretism and sharing stories of triumph within her intuitive practice. Her artwork is layered with gestural mark-making, vivid colors, and expressive brushstrokes.

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LaDara’s work has been licensed, published, and collaborated with numerous brands such as HGTV, Better Homes and Gardens, Bank of America, NBA, HomeGoods, Wexel Art, Allsprings Global Headquarters, Atrium Heath, WestElm.com, and more. Her work has also been invitationally exhibited at The Harvey B. Gantt, Matthew's Town Hall, and GreenHill Center for North Carolina Art. She has been invited to speak on panels and host workshops at colleges and retreats such as Catawba Valley Community College, Davidson College, Utah Valley University, and McColl Center for Arts + Innovation.

 

In 2019, she received recognition from Honeybook and Rising Tide as 20 On The Rise, a celebration honoring independent business owners in the creative industry.

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Her artwork's objective is to create an immersive experience for the viewer that has lasting moments of introspection and promotes outward conversation. LaDara has also supported philanthropic causes and community focused initiatives.