BLOG

I recently came across a quote by Leonardo de Vinci that brought such clarity to my process: “A painter should begin every canvas with a wash of black, because all things in nature are dark except where exposed by the light.” In 2018, I felt compelled to leave my graphic marketing work, after fifteen years in the industry — along with setting aside my illustrative work in color pencil — to paint, yet I honestly never considered myself a wet media artist! While I dabbled a bit with paint, I always fell back to my comfort zone with color pencils, charcoals, and pastels, so acrylics where a bit of a leap of faith for me.

Laura’s new collection, ‘Breakthrough,’ is currently on exhibit at the Bethlehem House Gallery Winter Show until April.

This indeed has been my hardest challenge of my career— I was stepping out of Graphic Marketing and into Fine Art with a new medium. I overcame this challenge by first, utilizing an aspect of my color pencil work, which was an intense focus on light. However, something was different with paint. I had to search deep within nature to discover how it was created, to then create it on canvas. And that’s when my creative process of acrylic paint layering and artistic voice was birthed! The first layer is always a quick emotional release of dark gorgeous blends, the “ground work.” It is the beginning of a new creation… out of the ground new life emerges. Where there once was darkness, now there is light with my second layer called “color blocking.” Finally, I complete each piece by growing the subject’s detail. This process has allowed me to pull from Impressionism to release the emotion of a subject yet also apply aspects of Realism to my work.

What successes or achievements are you most proud of?

In 2019, Wendy Stoudt from Gallery 840 (Allentown), offered me an opportunity to exhibit as a solo emerging artist. “A Walk Through Eden” featured 30 new pieces, which were painted in just three months prior to the exhibition. This show truly helped launch my career as a fine artist.

What’s your advice for anyone who wants to explore art, but can’t seem to find the time or feels intimidated by a blank canvas?

My advice for anyone who wants to explore art or creativity but can’t seem to find the time is, even if you are only able to only spend five minutes doodling, do it! Nothing is wasted, five minutes here and there throughout the day adds up to over an hour and a half a week spent in creativity! As a mom of five children, I never let time dictate my artistic pursuits and outcome. Be conscious of pursing your creativity and watch it blossom!

Did the pandemic have an impact on your work or how you work?

The pandemic forced me to creatively seek ways to reach new collectors. Online marketing became a great blessing for both my business and the people I reached through social media. While I enjoy and greatly missed meeting collectors face-to-face, during the pandemic, my art seemed to carry a deep sense of healing and joy in time of despair. It was such an honor to “meet” people around the world and impart a healing experience through my art.

Anything else you’d like to share with readers?

Thank you for joining me in the pursuit of wonder. Just as I have experienced through the process of creating my art, I hope that you will be inspired to stop and take a moment to soak in all the beauty surrounding you. Things we take for granted everyday, like the beauty of a new bloom or the amazing sky above us is something to marvel in as we walk together in this journey called life. My hope is that my art will serve as your invitation to “Experience the Wonder.”