Laura Garrard – Jackson Wyoming

Color Work

“I have been exploring the landscape and outdoors as Jackson Pollack would suggest – not copying exactly what the lenses of a camera may record, but creating an expression of the outdoors from within my mind’s eye. I don’t sketch beforehand what I’m painting. Rather, I create the composition spontaneously. I may have a general theme in mind, but the act of painting is creating the composition. Some paintings are more realistic; others are more loose.

I have noticed, after completing some of my abstract paintings, that forms or suggestions of forms are present that I didn’t intentionally or consciously include – they just came about as a matter of creating balance in color and composition. As I am working quickly, perhaps it’s the subconscious stepping forward as the mind is occupied with the task at hand. I hope that as I become more intentional in painting landscapes that my subconscious remains front and center in creation, for this is where the expression of art comes from, I believe.

I have just completed a couple new landscapes, a few abstracts, and a charcoal/pastel drawing of a Native American young woman, which I have now posted. This latter work is very realistic, with detailed shading, using a brown packing paper as the neutral backdrop. So, lately, my work is following my whims as I test my skills and ask, “What if I did…?”. I followed this piece with a large abstract acrylic landscape of Swan Lake in the Grand Tetons; the hues are more subtle and the style is one I’ve decided to focus on now (framed piece inserted at the bottom). Then, I quickly completed two other works of a view from behind Two Oceans Lake toward the Tetons and another of Heron Pond. Currently I’m finishing a painting of the Tetons as viewed from Red Hills Ranch. I’m basing these works on photographs I have taken over the past few years.

The eye and mind follow the heart’s judgment. In viewing art, we aren’t just seeing things painted but the expression of the soul who painted them. And I believe that’s what art viewers respond to, what their hearts react to. I am enjoying this exploration of working with vibrant acrylics and other media, and I hope that you will enjoy viewing my paintings as I journey on.”

~ Laura Garrard ~ Jackson, Wyoming

For purchasing information, contact me directly: 307-690-5308; laura@lauragarrard.com.

The Work (copyright Laura Garrard)

1. August Transformation
12×9″ Acrylic & Organic Materials on Canvas