About Us
Erica Laufer
started painting portraits in early childhood
and learned oil painting from her artist mother
Claire Laufer. Besides taking art classes two
times a day in school, she attended the famed
Corcoran School of Art. She enjoyed a part-time
job assisting in hand coloring black and white
photographs. Her parents, afraid she would
face life as a “starving artist”, insisted she
have “a useful career”.
Working
part-time as a legal secretary, she worked her
way through college and law school. Entering
Government service, she rapidly rose in the
ranks to the top GS-15 level handling new and
unique programs. Following a brief private
practice, she changed course to a happier field
where her creative, innovative ideas and
abilities could flourish.
Following a
season of high school photography, she opened a
portrait studio in historic Ellicott City, Md.
Then for 15 years she operated an unusual
antique portrait studio in Ocean City, Md. with
over 1,600 costumes, mostly handmade, from
ancient Egyptians through Star Trek. She had a
devoted clientele, many of whom came every year
for a different theme portrait. Local newspapers
called her “an Ocean City legend” and “a
creative genius”. Her specialty was making
people look as if they were really there, in
those ancient times as knights, warriors,
goddesses, Victorians. She also taught a
photography course at the local community
college. It was a high volume business, with at
least 1,000 sessions each summer. After selling
her building to developers, she moved to Potomac
Falls in Loudoun County, VA., to be near her
family.
After varied
updated training in photography, digital art,
and water color painting, she is now offering
her unique art in Potomac Falls. Her specialty
is huge 5’ – 6’ life-size portraits on canvas.
After professionally photographing in the best
possible view, reflecting the inner self, she
does extensive digital art work, followed by
printing on canvas, and then painting in water
color or oils, or both, on the canvas. Her
motto is “Families and Pets Lovingly Displayed”.
Her background
training and occupations are reflected in her
works: Like an attorney, she only shows a
client in the best possible manner, hiding any
flaws. Her years with costumed photos have
taught her how to rapidly photograph anyone,
showing their individuality in the most
flattering way, instead of merely a grinning out
shell; embellishing this with painting on canvas
leads to a valuable and wonderful art piece
decorating the home.
How I Work
Sessions are in my studio or at an
off-site location
of your choice. We can use
imagination and creativity when planning your
session. Consider unique or unusual
locations that will add extra appeal to complete
your portrait statement.
Two to four weeks after your session, we will
schedule a viewing appointment Prints
typically arrive within 3 - 4 weeks after
ordering, and sometimes a little longer for more
complex or custom jobs.
Please feel free to give me a call if you have
any unanswered questions--you can reach me at:
Call: 703-421-0115
