A quick note

I wanted to take a moment to share one of my newest pieces before I get down to work for the day.  This piece was inspired by my trip to the Uffizi Museum in Florence.  The Catholic girl in me was drawn to the beautiful religious artwork and I decided to attempt to reproduce this image taken from Agnolo Bronzino's Madonna & Child.  It was fun to recreate a figure from a painting and I may work on more of these images in the future.

A quick update

I am back in the studio this week and I thought I would just give a quick update as to the progress I have made.  I started this project before I left for Italy and although I am inspired to begin a couple of new ideas, I have to complete this little guy before I can concentrate on a new planned series.  Below is the original image.

  I will be working on the canvas over the next few days and hope to have the piece finished by next week.  Have a great weekend.  - Laura

Viewpoints

I wanted to take a moment to elaborate on my piece entitled Larry's girl.  While it was created as a memorial piece for a friend, the message in the piece is also important.  This piece was created as a remonstration on the persecution of individuals who choose a path that differs from the society in which they live.  This particular piece references religion.  The veiled image is self explanatory and was chosen as a religious representation.  Closer inspection will reveal images chosen to rebuke individuals and government who attempt to snatch religious freedom from the individual.  In naming this for my friend, I am also making a statement regarding the way Larry, who was an unconventional individual was, therefore, unfairly judged, and often felt ostracized by society.  Many of my pieces represent my respect for the individual who stays his course regardless of public criticism.

This piece follows along the same line.  I believe nearly every individual has experienced some form of oppression.  We also, unfortunately, are capable of assuming the role of oppressor.  It is my hope that the viewer will relate to the duality of the human experience.

This piece speaks for itself.  The pavers were created from vintage food advertisements.  Click on the images for a closer view.

Larry's Girl

This piece is relatively new and is a memorial piece for a dear friend of mine, Larry, who passed away suddenly in early May of this year.  The figure in this piece hung unfinished on my studio wall for some time and every time Larry visited, he commented on how much he liked her and asked me if I would consider selling it to him when it was finished.  Of course, I agreed but unfortunately, he was unable to enjoy the finished project.  So, as a tribute, I named her Larry's Girl and I believe he would approve.

This is another piece I displayed at  my July show at the ArtCapsule gallery.  Vintage buttons adorn the neck of the instrument along with vintage thread from my stash of goodies.

I have taken a little time off recently as I seem to have damaged a nerve in my thumb during the frantic pace needed to finish pieces for that show.  It is on the mend and I hope to get back to work in early September.

In the meantime, I have been gathering my inspirational trinkets in a recently procured vintage mailbox.

I'm not really sure what I will do with these babies but I couldn't resist their adorable faces and they will, at the very least, be on the sidelines, cheering me on.

Who's naughty?

This piece is nearing it's completion.  I feel she still needs a little tweaking but I have a few ideas up my sleeve.  I do like the quote and feel it fits in nicely with the piece.  


I do have some exciting news to share soon, but I am not at liberty to spill the beans just yet.