The Art of Noticing - with Laura Quackenboss of xo Me Studio

Say hello to our newest muse: Laura Quackenboss from xo Me Studio, a talented photographer from Door County. Read on as Laura offers a glimpse into the magic of xo Me Studio and her world.

It goes without saying that Laura is a friend and kindred spirit of the shop, we are neighbors across the hall from one another, after all. More often than not, we meet up here at the house or another local haunt on the Peninsula. Today Laura invites us into her photography studio for a catch up on all things creativity, being open to inspiration and discovering magic where you least expect it. 

 

Laura in the Indigo Jumpsuit 

There's a beautiful emptiness in Lauras studio these days, possibilities calling out from every corner. Laura lays out a few of her favorite prints, tokens and visual souvenirs. One of her partner, her mother, her vision. As she arranges each treasure, Laura's mind wanders to the stories behind each piece, a dance of memories and inspiration.

KEEPER: What's in a name, can you tell us more about how xo Me came to be?

Laura: xo Me (ex- oh - meee) is an ode to a love letter sign off. While falling in love with my partner, I would leave poems around the house, inspired by Nayyirah Waheed. All signed with “xo _____” related to whatever the poem was about. Over the next few months it shifted to “xoLaura” and then simply “xoMe”. 

When thinking of business names it bubbled up. I told my boyfriend and he said something like “I was waiting for you to realize that”! It just felt right.

xo Me Studio embodies all things romantic. It is the essence of a love letter. Not just romantic love like its origin, but the romance of savoring. Maybe that is watching the moonrise, or listening to your favorite song, writing a postcard, the smell of dinner cooking, a walk on your favorite path or noticing shadows across the pavement. To be in awe. To be inspired.

As with most creatives on the peninsula we're curious, how did they wind up here? What brought them (or drew them really) to Door County and what do they love about living and creating here? 

KEEPER: Can you tell us a little about how you wound up moving to and settling in Door County?

Laura: It started with a dream, literally.

Leading up that dream in 2020, my life felt unaligned.  I was living in Milwaukee, working as a nurse and it all just didn’t feel right. When the pandemic hit and life felt more precious and fleeting, I started to entertain the idea of an alternate career path. But I had NO idea what that would look like, just that I wanted it to be creative. That felt like my dream life. Ceramics, graphic design, watercolor, food styling?!

A friend asked me, “What would you do if you didn’t think about the money?”, the instant gut response was photography. It was what I was naturally doing all the time with my iPhone.

Then, one summer night I went to bed and had the most vivid dream that I moved to Door County and lived as a photographer. It felt so clear and I did everything possible to make it happen. If not now, when?  

So, my best friend loaned me her camera, and over the course of a couple of months I practiced photography, captured creatives, and graciously accepted temporary stays in the homes of friends and family. Then, I met someone who offered me a more permanent place to stay. He is now one of my best friends and I’m so thankful for the home he provided me in a place where finding affordable housing is so difficult. 

Laura in the Balloon Pants and Vintage Denim Jacket

KEEPER: Has living in Door County changed your creative process, how so?

Laura: I am not even sure I had a creative process before living in Door County. It is a place that deeply inspires creativity. Maybe it is the seasonality, or the artistry, the open spaces, or maybe there’s something magnetic in the stones.

One unique aspect of living in Door County is the seasonality. It is a place with true duality mirrored by the climate. The hustle and burn of summer is intense; it is a very yang time of doing. While the winter slows to recharge. I love the seasons. And I am also seeking more balance in my workflow and self care. To look to nature for a rhythm, that is such a beauty of living here, she is always inspiring. 

In addition to the landscape, the people energize my creative side. To observe artisans putting their hearts into their passion. I am in awe. I joke with a friend that before I moved here, the artists and creatives felt like celebrities. And it is true! I really admired so many people doing rad things from afar before moving here. 

Laura wears Balloon Pants, Vintage Denim Jacket and Chunky Knit Hat

KEEPER: Can you share any creative rituals/routines that you return to again and again?

Laura: To be honest this is an area I am looking to spend more time in.  I love going for drives around the Peninsula, stopping at fields or friends’ businesses. If I am in a rut or looking for inspiration, I like to page through travel and lifestyle magazines such as Kinfolk. Cookbooks are also great visual resources. Instagram too, but I find trying to recreate images I see pulls me out of being present in a shoot and following what is in front of me. It can backfire.

KEEPER: Any favorite spots to hang out/feel inspired on the peninsula?

Laura: I feel inspired dining solo at the bar of The Fashionable. Everything is art. I feel romantic and tapped into something bigger, while also being able to hear my inner voice. I like to observe and absorb. The light, the music, the people, the food. It is cinematic and comfortable. I sit there, journal, or write postcards. So much comes up for me in those moments. 

Laura and I take a drive to Peninsula State Park. We walk amongst the trees and find a spot by the water to take it all in. 

Laura: Peninsula State Park is my most happy place. I can feel my nervous system relax, it feels like home. 

[other favorites include] Cupola Cafe, Keeper, Ephraim Coffee Lab, Waseda Farm, Hill House. There are so many. 

Laura wears the Sunday Dress and Wool Shepherd Vest

KEEPER: Any advice for fellow creatives?

Laura: Before my first shoot, I was soooo nervous. So so nervous. Luckily I had therapy that day and she told me something I think of often. Nervousness and excitement feel the same in the body. Mind blown. It was so powerful to understand and reframe those feelings. I get those nerves before almost every shoot. Am I excited? Or is it anxiety?  Can I take away the expectations or is it a message that it isn’t the right fit? I’m trying to listen to my body more on this. 

Laura wears the Wool Shepherd Vest reversed. 

KEEPER: Any big projects or happenings (or changes!) you're excited about in the coming year whether personal or professional?

Laura: I am in a haze of change. I am excited for autumn + winter, to feel into that, recombobulate and try new things. 

This spring, my life was flipped upside down when my mom was diagnosed with lung cancer. It was an absolute nightmare to hear. While this heartbreak is not unique, her diagnosis felt so isolating, deep and disorienting. I struggled with anxiety in a new way that was debilitating. I am still processing it all.  We recently received good news that her treatment is headed in the right direction, so we are all breathing a bit easier. And, it is still scary. Our frontier is that of a new normal. 

As with many throws in life, it forced me to take inventory. What is a hell yes and what is a no.  It really illuminated where I was leaking my watts. Perfectionism came up as a huge energy drain (no surprise there). It makes a ten pound weight feel like twenty. I want to practice being good enough. Showing up with my offering and hoping it leads to connection and art. 

I want to photograph more food, artists, couples, curators, shops. To get back to the essence of what drew me here: the nature and the creatives that call this place home. That energizes me so much.

I recently moved out of my studio at Cupola House. It was such a hard decision as I LOVE being in the space with Ryan, Jillian (Cupola Cafe, Daughters + Co., effie st.) and Claire (Keeper).  Luckily, it will be staying in the family with some exciting news coming soon.

Print work has also been calling me back. I just love love, small prints and how easy it is to incorporate them into your life. A new collection of small, framed prints is coming together now.  It will feature one or two-of-a-kind prints that will be ready to gift. The imagery is heavily Door County, but this series is shot mostly on film. There will be an announcement coming soon of a holiday shopping experience at Cupola House.

KEEPER: A favorite poem/lyric/quote you'd like to share?

Laura: Love Paul Simon :)

“And she said, "losing love

Is like a window in your heart

Everybody sees you're blown apart

Everybody sees the wind blow"

 

Thank you so much Laura for your presense for this interview and allowing us to share a window into your world.

To learn more about Laura and xo Me Studio visit her website.

Shop The Edit: A curation of Lauras favorite pieces from KEEPER


SINCE OUR STORE OPENED IN THE SUMMER OF 2023, OUR KEEPER'S MUSE SERIES HAS FEATURED CREATIVE WOMEN FROM UP AND DOWN THE PENINSULA. THE GOAL OF THIS SERIES IS TO CELEBRATE WOMEN IN DOOR COUNTY WHO ARE EVOLVING THROUGH A PROCESS OF CREATIVE DISCOVERY. LET THEIR UNIQUE AND EMPOWERED PERSPECTIVES INSPIRE US TO APPROACH LIFE WITH CURIOSITY AND OPTIMISM.