The thirteenth of Kaunas

Laura Mikutavičienė, an artist born and raised in Vilnius, Lithuania, developed her artistic passion through formal education, completing a Bachelor of Arts at Vytautas the Great University before obtaining her master’s degree from the Vilnius Academy of Arts. At present, she devotes her time both to her creative pursuits and to working with children. In addition, Laura remains involved in the artistic community, frequently taking part in events and lectures, and has amassed valuable experience through her volunteer work.

Her interest in art took root in her childhood, encouraged by her grandfather, Eugenijus Borouchinas, himself a graduate of the Art Institute who dedicated his professional life to the creation of stained glass. The creative environment of Laura’s family home—with its ever-present scent of paint and array of sketches and stained glass pieces—was instrumental in igniting her early artistic curiosity.

A distinctive element in Laura Mikutavičienė’s artwork is her emphasis on public transportation, particularly buses and trolleybuses. This recurring theme draws inspiration from her years navigating daily routes by public transport while studying. Laura’s paintings convey not only the forms of these vehicles but also infuse them with feeling. As she explains: "Trolley lines, lights, colors and finally their emotions – all this seems to tell about the traveled path of life. They seem to look at you and smile... the lights still glow with warmth."

Laura is especially interested in older and rarely seen vehicles. When she travels and discovers a unique vehicle, whether parked, unused, or simply unusual, she seizes the chance to study it in detail, usually photographing it from various perspectives. These photos often become the basis for future works, enabling her to capture and reinterpret the distinctive appeal and character of each vehicle she encounters through her painting.