Local artist Laura Renee Meyerson debuted her fourth solo exhibition, "Lasting Impressions of Hoboken" at the Hoboken Historical museum this weekend. Comprised of more than 10 paintings—two on loan from Councilwoman Beth Mason specifically for the show—the works focus on sights familiar to residents: Maxwell's Bar & Restaurant, the Erie Lackawanna railroad terminal, and Schnackenberg's Deli among others.

"Ninety-nine percent of the work is stuff I see when I step outside my door or when it's nice outside and I go running," says Meyerson. "For example, I'm always running past the [Erie] Lackawanna station, which is an amazing sight."

Meyerson, who has lived between 11th and 12th on Washington Street for the last five years, works in fashion. "It's what pays the bills," she admits, but says painting remains her first love.

As a child, she took private lessons with local artists. In high school, she was president of the Art Honor Society and afterwards pursued a BA in Studio Art at Muhlenberg College. Influences include Claude Monet and Edward Hopper, and indeed, you can tell from her choice of images to the impressionistic oil-based style.

"I enjoy working with oils," she adds. "It just feels like a very free medium to work with, as you layer one on top of the other. And you can actually sketch with oil. You don't have to sketch with pencil and then layer on top with paint."

After recognizing Giorgio's Italian and French pastry shop, off Washington on 11th Street, in the painting entitled "Luncheonette," local resident Phil Cohen purchased it. Cohen has lived in Hoboken since 1986, and has had a rare, first-hand opportunity to observe the city evolve into the bustling community it is today.  

""I like the idea of bringing local historical elements into my home, and I think that this painting really does that," Cohen says. "Giorgio's is my favorite Italian bakery and so ... it's a very special place for me. And then you have the vintage Coca-Cola sign over Schnackenberg's Deli, which is really evocative of the Hoboken that I love."

But besides the easily recognizable landmarks, Cohen appreciates Meyerson's sheer artistry.

"I like impressionism, and I find that Laura's eye sort of captures an impressionistic pallette," Cohen says. "I think it's really evocative of that era."  

"Lasting Impressions of Hoboken," at the Hoboken Historical Museum, 1301 Hudson St. Paintings are on view unil May 9th.