Artist of the Month February 2010

Laura Warburton

Toronto, Canada

Laura Warburton ia a Toronto, Canada born and raised artist who creates art through the use of colour, texture and imagination. Painting on large scale canvas with abstract expression is where she has found her most satisfying experiences in art thus far. For Laura, a composition is merely a vague idea, not fully envisioned, until the piece itself emerges with the artist's assistance. Laura's formal education is in the hard sciences with some more liberal arts psychology as well.

Whether her work is brushed, sprayed, carved, splattered, scraped or poured, uses texture, mediums Laura tends to lean towards an organic feel that hopefully encourages the viewer to linger and rove across the canvas.

How and when did you start creating art?

I was always been interested I and keenly involved in photography. I had the dark room when I was younger. However ,I needed to take a few years away from art when  the confines of a young family and full time working career  took over.

I moved into painting a few years ago when I found I had the time to really focus, be playful with  colours , mediums and textures. It was really a very therapeutic  endeavour,. I  was hoping  to relieve everyday stress and link back  into  my  creative side. I still work full time in the  medical science field  and that has very little room for creativity. Painting and creating art strikes a great balance for me personally

What media and genres do you work in?

Acrylics of all types, liquid, heavy body, lots of mediums including gels, pastes, moulds, As I mentioned generally larger scale canvas is my direction.

Who or what are your influences?

I am not truly certain I can tell you of a specific influence as a person per say.. I enjoy the process of creating, , perhaps  portions of my formal education in psychology might have some influence on the the overall feel of my work.

If I had to pick an artists that I often find myself drawn to then I might say Diego Jacobson.

It's not about what you look at… It’s about what you see

Describe your creative process?

Set up a canvas

Have tools, paints  and other materials close at hand

Start to paint.

Sometimes I have an idea or concept or feel I want to explore, but often I do not.

I have learned that  it is  best for me  to  really get the core of the piece on the first intense strike of time. I can come back  to the piece and continue  and then finish. But if  the piece does not gel  on this  first  session … it will go nowhere.  

What are you working on currently?

Currently I have been drawn to human forms, which is very different for me as an abstractionist. Movement, flow, connections of anatomy, portions of anatomy, all with a very loose line and border.

What are your near/long term goals as an artist?

Short term goals include continuing in the vein of exploring my own artistic side, what works for me, how do I feel about the process, what do I feel in the process, learning by trial and error or trial and success  different mediums .I suppose you could term this  “personal expression”. Longer term goals I would love to have more time to do the above, perhaps one day continue this as a full time venture

Where can people view/purchase your work (gallery, website, etc)?

www.laurawarburton.com or www.loftartwork.com

Please send an email from the contact page, I love to hear feedback.