Born in America, Sydney-based Kim Leutwyler migrated to Australia in 2012. She works in a variety of media including painting, installation, ceramics, print media and drawing. Leutwyler's current body of work features paintings exploring notions of beauty, gender and queer identity. She has come to focus on painting as a medium because of its primarily masculine history in the western art canon. Her artwork has been exhibited in multiple galleries and museums throughout Australia and the United States.
Rachel Linnemeier | Complex Figures
Rachel Linnemeier’s subject matter includes powerful women in situations that both evoke strong feelings of nostalgia and inspire narratives. The overarching theme of Rachel’s work includes tension between the idea of modern adulthood and residual childhood. Each piece is composed of bright and vivid colors creating a youthful feeling while simultaneously expressing maturity through the pose and expression of the figure. Recent works have begun to explore the addition of landscapes to create complexity in narrative.
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Ann Moeller Steverson | The Emotive Figure
Ann Moeller Steverson is an American artist known for her emotive and mood filled figurative works, primarily created with oil on copper. Her works are described as having a timeless quality which invites the viewer to create their own sensitive response and narrative through a compelling tension and sense of mystery. Through the quiet intensity of each piece she seeks to share her most authentic self, what she loves, and an invitation for connection. Born in Huntsville, Al, in 1980 she continues to reside there, working within a vibrant artist community. There she paints, teaches, and operates an atelier to promote the advancement of realism in modern painting.
Pauline Aubey | LEGO Art
Pauline Aubey
Nebula, 2024
Lego bricks framed in silky black staircase box
15 × 15 in | 38.1 × 38.1 cm
Paulina Aubey uses lego bricks to create portraits who question our relationship to cultural icons through an interplay between abstraction and realism. Inspired by stained glass, she now adds some luminous effects to her artwork using a superimposition of matte and transparent bricks that she calls glazing. She mainly focuses on intimate close-up portraits that remain undecipherable despite close inspection. Her body of work is an attempt at alleviating the inherent tension between technology and mysticism. She is part of the Lunar Codex and a judge for Lego Masters France.
Chris Clark | Hair Culture
Chris Clark is a self-taught visual artist, illustrator, and muralist living and working in Jacksonville, Florida. Art, to him, is a form of journalism.
Using acrylic, oil, ink, and spray paint, he explores the rich culture and history of the Black community across the diaspora and the social issues affecting them today. For Clark, reflecting the human figure is very powerful, which is why he uses graphic-style portraiture and figurative works to depict Black life in America through his personal lens of a Black man. At the core of his work is the notion that representation matters. As the artist explains, “By telling my story, I want to help the viewer rediscover theirs.”
Clark’s artwork has been shown in exhibitions around the U.S. and abroad, including his recent solo exhibition “New Growth” at Kent Gallery FSCJ in Jacksonville and at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. He has received multiple art awards and grants for his work. Clark was chosen to participate in the House of Sedulo Artist Residency in London, UK and the Chateau Orquevaux Artist Residency in Champagne-Ardenne, France in 2022-2023. Most recently he completed his first artist fellowship the DEAR (Digital Evolution Artist Retention) fellowship through the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute in New York.
Pippa Hale-Lynch | Submerged Figures
Pippa Hale-Lynch’s paintings use figures and portraits to capture intimate moments of solitude and grief. She is a contemporary figurative realism artist working primarily with oils. Her works incorporating figures suspended within water capture beauty in fleeting moments of solitude.
More recently she is exploring the theme of grief, stemming from her mother's tragic and untimely death when she was 20. At first glance, the playful use of the sugary jam can be mistaken for blood, a visual representation of the wounds left by the destruction of grief experienced by the sitter.
Pippa uses techniques learned over 12+ years of practice and training in traditional representational drawing and painting. She uses herself, her family, and loved ones as sitters to best reflect the intimacy of the work.
Amy Ordoveza
Amy Ordoveza is a contemporary realist artist who creates detailed, imaginative still-life paintings. She carefully crafts and arranges the delicate cut-paper plants, animals, and architectural elements that she depicts in her oil paintings. The fragility of the paper objects suggests impermanence while Ordoveza’s close observation and meticulous handling of paint hint at their significance. Her compositions evoke a sense of beauty and mystery in ordinary surroundings.
Ordoveza received her MFA from the New York Academy of Art and her BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art. Her historical influences include 17th century Dutch still life painters including Rachel Ruysch and Jan Davidsz de Heem as well as surrealists such as Kay Sage and René Magritte. Ordoveza’s work is included in the Lunar Codex and the Nova Scotia Art Bank and has been featured in publications and websites including American Art Collector, PoetsArtists, and Booooooom!
Confrontation
Opposing Forces
Confrontation looks different to everyone. It varies in intensity, in meaning and in circumstance. In some situations, the idea of expressing one’s concerns in direct opposition to another is so intimidating, the very notion almost impossible to consider. In other situations, confrontation is a natural and healthy part of life.
Feminism Group Show 2024
Homeira Mortazavi
Homeira Mortazavi is an Iranian Canadian figurative painter and an art educator based in Montreal Canada. Her artistic endeavors revolve around delving into the intricacies of the human condition, particularly in regards to topics such as self-identity, belonging, women's experiences in relation to nature and society.Add to your art collection at Artsy.
Drawing on a wide range of artistic influences and techniques, Homeira creates works that are both visually powerful and emotionally resonant. She is a colorist at heart and has a keen eye for detail that allows her to capture the essence of her subjects with remarkable clarity and depth.She incorporates her personal journey and the collective experiences of women, creating a bold visual representation of women who exude a sense of power and grace, expressing an act of liberation and reconciliation with life.
Homeira Mortazavi has her works published in American Art Collector Magazine, PoetsArtists and Hashtag Art Magazine. She has exhibited her works in Canada, France, Argentina, Kuwait and USA. In the last five years she has participated in 3 museum shows in the US and Canada. Add to your art collection at Artsy.
Q&A
What's the purpose or goal of your work?
I believe that beauty is all around us if we take the time to look for it. I feel alive and satisfied when I discover the beauty in the line of a gesture, the twist of a branch or movement of leaves dancing with the wind for instance
For me, painting is a way to capture that beauty and share it with the world. It is a form of self-expression that allows me to show respect and recognition for life. When I paint, I feel like I am engaging in a prayer or meditation, one that helps me to connect with the world around me and find meaning in it.
My ultimate goal as an artist is to touch someone's heart, mind, or soul with my paintings. I want to create something that inspires, empowers, and heals, something that can bring joy and meaning to people's lives.
What are your most valued skills as an artist?
Firstly, the ability to come up with unique ideas and tap into my creative process is crucial to my work. This process allows me to develop fresh and original ideas that are truly my own.
Secondly, technical skills are essential to bringing my creative ideas to life on a two-dimensional surface. I take great care to ensure that my work is as truthful to the subject that I envisioned in my head as possible.
Finally, I am proud of my commitment to being a lifelong learner. I am constantly seeking new ways to challenge myself and push my boundaries. Whether it be through attending workshops, experimenting with new mediums and technologies, or simply reading up on the latest trends in the art world, I am always eager to expand my knowledge and refine my skills.
In conclusion, my most valued skills as an artist are my creativity, technical proficiency, and passion for learning. These qualities allow me to produce work that is unique, truthful, and constantly evolving.
Which art trends inspire your current work?
In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in the field of generative art, digital art, and artificial intelligence. As an artist, I have found myself deeply fascinated and inspired by the possibilities that these technologies offer, and have dedicated my recent work to exploring the intersections of art and technology.
By embracing these new technologies, I am able to use them in creating paintings that are fresh, innovative, and deeply engaging for audiences around the world.
How can your work affect societal issues?
As an artist, I create paintings that explore and shed light on the unique experiences of women. I explore themes such as vulnerability, power, and empowerment, all through the lens of the female experience.
Another issue that I explore in my paintings is the fragility of the human condition as it relates to nature. By highlighting the ways in which our bodies and our environment are intertwined, I hope to inspire a greater appreciation for the natural world and a deeper sense of connection to it.
Lately, I have been exploring the invasion of technology in our lives through my artwork. Technology has the potential to enhance our lives and make it easier, but at the same time, it can result in isolation and detachment from the world we inhabit.
Describe a piece of art you are most proud of. Why?
The female nude has been a subject of interest for me, however, in my painting "Somewhere in a Parallel World," I wanted to challenge the traditional portrayal of the female nude and create something that was both modern and thought-provoking.
In this artwork, I have reimagined the timeless nude figure with a modern touch. The tattooed woman depicted in my painting not only embodies the current concept of beauty, but also is completely immersed emotionally and mentally to the world of metaverse.
.As she stands in front of both a Mondrian painting and profile pictures of Bored Apes Yacht Club living on the Ethereum Blockchain, my painting becomes a commentary on the intersection of art and technology. By incorporating generative art NFTs, I am acknowledging the role that technology plays in the creation and distribution of art today.
But perhaps what I am most proud of in this painting is the representation of the female nude. Instead of a passive, objectified figure, my nude is unapologetic and unstoppable. She is a modern woman who embraces her femininity and is not afraid to stand out. In "Somewhere in a Parallel World," I have created a glimpse of my interpretation of the female nude of our time - a figure that is both powerful and beautiful.
Featured
Leslie Singer
Leslie Singer attended the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and studied art at Georgetown University, then stopped painting to pursue a public relations career. When the man who was to become her husband asked her what her favorite painting is (Vermeer’s Girl With a Pearl Earring), it launched an ongoing conversation about art that led her back to palette and brush and resuming her studies at New York’s Art Students League and the Scottsdale Artists School.
As a figurative painter, Leslie approaches each work as a study of light and shadow upon which she builds and embellishes. Heavily influenced by the worlds of design and fashion, Leslie has drawn inspiration from New York City, her home for three decades and, most recently from Santa Fe and the Southwest, where she now lives. Her work has been described as both feminine and feminist for its depictions of strong, independent women.
Artists who share Leslie’s passion for the figure who have influenced her work range from nineteenth and early twentieth-century masters such as John Singer Sargent and Tamara de Lempicka to contemporary painters such as Michael Carson and Malcolm Liepke. Like theirs, her canvases depict highly stylized portraits that privilege mood and feeling over realistic representation.
Leslie’s work has appeared in galleries across the U.S., and her painting “Katya” was recently selected as the cover of acclaimed writer Daisy Alpert Florin’s novel “My Last Innocent Year.” Leslie’s works are owned by collectors in the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific.
Q&A
What's the purpose or goal of your work?
My work emphasizes visual impact over narrative content. It is influenced by fashion and design, with an emphasis on feminine and feminist themes. A collector once told me she was going to hang my painting (Desert Gypsy) in her bedroom so that it was the first thing she saw each morning and would be inspired by the strong and beautiful woman it portrayed. I thought that was the ultimate compliment and aspire to create those types of reactions and connections through my work.
Leslie Singer | Desert Gypsy, 2021 | Oil on panel 14x11 inch
How has your style changed over time?
My passion has always been representational art. In school I was frustrated that it was not taught. This led me to pursue a different career, which ultimately allowed me to return to painting on my own terms, studying at the Art Student’s League in New York and Scottsdale Artist School. I never want to stop learning, and my painting style has evolved as I have continued my studies. Travel and living in different parts of the country has also influenced my work and many of my recent works have a Western flavor since I now live in Arizona and New Mexico.
Do you have a network of other artists, and how do they support you?
I’ve met many other artists through schools and workshops around the world and have developed lasting friendships. I also live in Santa Fe and Scottsdale, both of which have great art communities. Many of my friends and neighbors are artists. Beyond the camaraderie, these friends provide invaluable advice, encouragement, and inspiration. Like most other artists I also have a social network on IG, Facebook, etc. where I can connect and get feedback from other artists from al over.
How do you manage a work-life balance as an artist?
Prior to becoming a full-time artist I was head of corporate communications for a global business. I painted in the evenings and on weekends. I used vacation time to take workshops or participate in art fairs. Today, as a full-time artist, I still manage my time so that I’m balancing time in the studio with time doing marketing, learning, networking, and traveling to recharge and get inspired.
How has your education helped you in your career?
I changed course from art to English in college. I have a BA from Georgetown University I think that communication is a vital skill for success in any endeavor. And it’s more important than ever for artists as we have so much opportunity to take ownership of our careers, getting our art out to the world using social media and other channels that allow us to get broad exposure and sell our work.
What was your first experience of working as a professional artist?
At the height of my corporate career, I was still painting primarily as a hobby and was invited to do a local art. It was actually in a bar, but I did sell a couple of paintings. And it provided the encouragement that I needed to level up, move on to showing in galleries and art fairs, gain greater visibility, and sell more work.
What is the best advice you have received in your career?
“You are the best person to represent your art.” One of my first collectors, a seasoned art buyer, told me this very early on. Over the years, I’ve seen how important it is for collectors to know you and connect on a personal level.
Featured
Sarah Warda
Sarah Warda is an American realist painter from Connecticut. Using the human form, her works often reveal the vulnerability and inner soul of her subject. She received her formal education from the Lyme Academy of Fine Arts, as well as the Art Students league of New York with Harvey Dinnerstein and workshops with Aaron Shikler. Her work has been displayed in notable venues such as, the National Arts Club of New York, New Britain Museum of American Art, and the Zhou B Art Center Chicago. She has participated in several exhibitions including Connecticut Women Artists, Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Arts Club NY, and PoetsArtists. She has been commissioned for numerous illustrations, murals and portraits for public, private and corporate collections. And through the Lunar Codex, she is among one of the first women artists to have her paintings cataloged on the moon. Add to your art collection at Artsy.
Q&A
What are your most valued skills as an artist?
I would have to say it’s my intuition. I listen to my inner voice as to what feels right in a painting. Empathy and sensitivity for my subject play a big role as does my use of light and keen observation which give me the ability to describe form.
How has your education helped you in your career?
My education has had a huge impact on my skill to paint! I spent many hours at art school learning about the human form and principles of drawing. I was fortunate enough to study at The Lyme Academy of fine art under master figurative artists like Deane G. Keller and Dan Gheno. Also, several workshops with Aaron Shikler and with Harvey Dinnerstein at the Art Students League of NY. They taught me the “grammar” of art so that I could go on to express what I now want to say. Having said all this, I am forever learning.
Tell me about a time you received negative comments or harsh criticism. How did you handle it?
Criticism is always going to be there. I even find myself to be my harshest critic! The act of painting is largely a mental game. I find that stepping away from my work has been most helpful. Sometimes, I take a few days to just ponder my work and then get back on track remembering what initially inspired me to begin the work in the first place.
Which art trends inspire your current work?
Because I rely so much on my intuition when I paint, I rarely find myself following trends.
For me, I find it disingenuous to try to force something that isn’t who I am. I don’t believe in using any “gimmicks” when it come to something as sacred to me as my art. I believe that the mere act of being who one truly is as a unique individual, will set each of us apart in the most natural genuine way.
I feel it’s also important to look at other artists’ work that is of a completely different style, that it might serve me well to try new things and step out a little from my comfort zone. I can find inspiration in that.
What was your first experience of working as a professional artist?
One of the earliest recollections of working as a professional artist happened a few years after art school when I was approached by another artist who was commissioned to paint a large mural in downtown New London where I lived. The painting would incorporate five figures about 40 feet high that the artist had apprehensions to execute. I saw it as an incredible opportunity and tackled it with gusto climbing rows of scaffolding and feeling like Michelangelo! I relied heavily on my knowledge of human anatomy and hundreds of hours of experience working from the live model to paint the human form at such a large scale. It was a great experience as an artist although fueled with controversy over the content of nudity, and the fact that the man who asked me to paint it took responsibility for my work. It was a real introduction to what it’s like for a female artist.
What's the purpose or goal of your work?
My goal is to connect to people on a deeper level. To get under the surface and focus on our shared humanity.
David E. Morris
Morris’s figurative realism stems from an intense and persistent interest in human anatomy from multiple perspectives: beauty in form, function, and structure. While continuing to teach anatomy at the medical school level, Morris uses charcoal, graphite, and oil paint in his artwork to convey something beyond the scientific aspect of the body. He strives to share something about what he experienced in the presence of those he represents. In this process of portraying people he explores concepts of psyche, intimacy, and gaze as it relates to gender.
What's the purpose or goal of your work?
The work that I make tends to be small and its usually about people - sometimes portraits, sometimes of figures or figures in groups based on people I have met, talked with, or worked with. So it’s personal in that way. This is also the type of work that I tend to be drawn to looking at, and that I choose to surround myself with in my own home. When I look at a painting whether it’s in my own or someone else’s home, a gallery, or in a museum, sometimes the piece grabs me; maybe I identify with it in its intention, maybe I admire the way it was painted, or maybe something else. When this happens it reminds me of humanity - of what people are capable of doing. Extending this to my own work, I hope that if I make the work truthfully there will be others that come across it, that are drawn to it and that it incites some appreciation for humanity and gives hope for humans’ continuing to make things by hand.
Do you have a network of other artists, and how do they support you?
33PA has been an important network, as it is a worldwide group of artists who share a common interest in figurative-based work. I have become friends with some PoA members through the internet, while others who live near me in Chicago I have met in person and, collaborated with through portraiture projects, and attended each other’s openings. In either case, members stimulate each other in terms of responding to common themes in exhibition calls, seeing how each other address these calls, and sharing technical and marketing ideas.
What factors influence the price of your work?
My pricing is based on size of the painting per square inch. From that I calculate a baseline price which I may modify based on any of the following: complexity (eg. does the piece contain one versus multiple figures), whether it is framed, and the commission of the gallery for the particular show.
Describe your ideal working environment.
Much of my work is based on the figure or multiple figures within an environment or scene. When working on a piece where there is any sort of complexity, I break up the process into stages: concept sketches or thumbnails, acquiring the references (drawings and sometimes reference photos), value and color studies, transferring the piece to a substrate, and then the final painting. My ideal working environment depends on which stage I am in, as stages vary in terms of required concentration. For initial small concept sketches, I can do these anywhere. For value and color studies and for the final painting, I need to be in my studio, at my easel where I work under good quality lighting and have enough space to walk back and forth to assess changes. I like background music, sometimes jazz, sometimes electronica, but it can’t be too complex because it will distract me from solving the painting problems.
When I am at the stage of working with models, I do everything possible to make those enjoyable sessions from the perspective of the model- from setting a comfortable temperature to having them pick the music. I have my studio set up well before such sessions in terms of lighting, props, furniture, etc. I always communicate with models beforehand as to the concept of the painting, types of poses I am looking for, and types of clothing if applicable. Often I will email them sample images/sketches to give them an idea.
What are your most valued skills as an artist?
I recall a quote that goes something like “every invention starts with a drawing, even on a napkin in a restaurant.” I think drawing is important for everyone to learn. For visual artists, especially those that work figuratively it’s indispensable and its important to continue to practice and refine.
An ongoing curiosity is valuable - about nature, about visual phenomenon, about why things appear the way they do, about how I can represent objects in a convincing way, and about why I like or don’t like certain pieces. This sort of questioning is what gives me, or any other artist their unique voice. That voice is bound do resonate with some other people, while not with others, and in fact it may even upset others. Through such curiosity and questioning, we each develop our uniqueness that will come across in our work, and that’s important, in fact beautiful.
What is the best advice you have received in your career?
Perhaps paraphrased, but persevere in continuing to make your work, especially starting new projects, and make a lot of work. Most of the visual artists and musicians that I admire were prolific and I am sure made a huge amount of work that most of the public doesn’t know existed. Realize that in your work there will be some successes (eg. acceptance into a desirable show, or even just making a piece that you feel good about) and many more failures. Don’t spend too much time thinking about any one success or failure, but rather keep moving ahead in making the best work you can.
Featured
Deborah Scott
Deborah Scott is a painter dedicated to creating visually engaging figurative works. Scott’s paintings combine classical painting techniques with contemporary iconography and disruption reflective of the world in which we live.
Before her art career, Deborah Scott managed multinational businesses and brands, including Cheerios, Betty Crocker, and Amazon.com. She left this behind mid career to follow her true calling to become an artist.
Her paintings have been exhibited in galleries in Seattle, New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago, as well as museums, including the Fort Wayne Museum of Art the Florida Museum of Women Artists and the Whatcom Museum.
Scott’s artwork appears in private and institutional collections in the US and Europe. Find her current paintings with 33 Contemporary at Artsy.
Do you have a network of other artists, and how do they support you?
Engaging in visual art is inherently a solitary pursuit, and the presence of a network of fellow artists is vital for my overall well-being. I am fortunate to be part of various artist "tribes" that offer diverse connections, including artists, curators, enablers, and muses. My primary support systems currently revolve around the art students I work with, past studio mates, fellow artists from group exhibitions, artists discovered through social media, and those I’ve built friendships with through artist residencies.
These networks offer inspiration, creative energy, and valuable insights into the motivations and methodologies of fellow artists. The reciprocal nature of these relationships allows us to expand our connections within the art community. Most importantly, there is a profound sense of fulfillment derived from being present for others as a friend, meeting them in their moment. By extending support to fellow artists, I am simultaneously nurturing my artistic journey.
What are your ultimate career goals?
To have the freedom to be fully committed to making art and to have time for the people I care about.
Describe your ideal working environment.
My week revolves around 3-5 days spent immersed in the studio. When I'm in work mode, I deliberately eliminate distractions – no texting, no calls, no
social media, etc. My studio mirrors this intentional minimalism; the sole focus is the canvas on my easel. My workflow involves intense 20-minute work blocks followed by brief breaks. Stepping out of the studio, attending to messages, and scheduling time with family and friends rejuvenates me. I've identified my optimal focus span at 15-20 minutes; surpassing that threshold leads to fussiness and overworking. This approach aligns seamlessly with my personality. It's a delicate dance between complete immersion and stepping back for a broader perspective, perfectly attuned to my style
What is the best advice you have received in your career?
Work hard. Trust yourself. You are not for everyone, and your work will not be for everyone. But it will speak meaningfully to some.
Tell me about a time you received negative comments or harsh criticism. How did you handle it?
I jumped right into the deep end by attending a full-time atelier program with essentially no art background. The initial feedback on my first project was brutally honest, with the instructor expressing that my presence in the program was precarious. Rather than succumbing to the sting of criticism, I viewed it as a stark but accurate assessment that fueled my determination.
In response, I opted for an unconventional approach. During breaks when fellow students were away, I dedicated myself to daily sessions at the school, working with unwavering intensity and initiating a new drawing every 20 minutes. The negative comment served as a catalyst, motivating
me to challenge my limits and measure my progress within a condensed timeframe. By the time my peers returned, I felt I had not only caught up but had also gained the confidence to move forward with renewed assurance in my artistic journey.
Deborah Scott Unsettled, 2024 | Oil and mixed media | 24 x 18 inch
Describe an artwork you are most proud of. Why?
There is no singular work of art that earns my pride. Rather, my pride and heart belong to whatever canvas is currently on my easel. It is within this space of possibility that my pride soars. The act of painting feels to me like an active dialog. The canvas, my collaborator, conveys its needs with each consecutive brush stroke. I am an impatient person, but oddly, I have a lovely, patient approach to art making, a trust that the painting will reveal itself in due time. This process, seemingly mystical, transforms the act of creation into an act of discovery. The completion of this artistic journey is not just a finished painting but also a memory of my exploration of the realm of creativity. The culmination of this artistic dialogue is not just a personal triumph but a story to be shared, a revelation that transcends the boundaries of my studio to engage others.
Featured
Pauline Aubey
Paulina Aubey’s LEGO portraits ingeniously merge popular form with popular content in order to question our relationship to celebrity. Having begun her artistic career working with pastels, Aubey’s passion for pop culture inspired her to try her hand with a more popular medium: LEGO bricks. She has elevated this unusual medium to the status of fine art, creating expressive portrayals of contemporary icons and the idols of her 1980s childhood. Her portraits of religious figures, movie characters, and pop stars—including David Bowie and Marilyn Monroe—blur the distinction between figurative and abstract art. They appear highly detailed from a distance and become pixelated upon closer inspection; this viewing experience prompts audiences to reflect on how much we can ever truly understand our idols. In order to create her portraits, Aubey chooses a digital image of her subject and manipulates it to create the desired expression and color scheme before selecting appropriate blocks of LEGO to build the work.
Daggi Wallace
Thomas Wharton
Laurence O’Toole
Laurence O'Toole is a realist painter whose work is a melding of figurative and nature with a surrealist approach to convey the message in his works. A self-taught artist from Ireland, he has had many solo shows in Ireland and abroad and is present in many group shows including museums in the USA.
Q&A
What's the purpose or goal of your work?
I have spent my life looking for something beautiful in my work, something meaningful and worthwhile. I am driven by the natural world and all its magical revelations and as I have aged, this fascination has morphed into the backgrounds for my narrative pieces. Pieces about life, society, humanity, pieces about hope.
How do you navigate the professional art industry?
This industry and career has changed a lot since I first started showing, back in the 80s. It was a career with more painting and deliberation and contemplation, Where you spoke with your gallery on a weekly basis as you shipped or dropped new work to them. Now I would spend as much time painting as I would with the admin side of my career, It is not worse, nor better, just different but a very necessary part of this modern art world, as contact and promotion, inquiry and submission, social media growth and presence has to be maintained.
How has your style changed over time?
I am probably painting over 40 years now, I am self thought, as it was my only option when I was young. It is a very slow progression but very rewarding, it brings you down paths that you may have otherwise been warned to steer clear of. But everything we do, we learn from. I started out with a form of magical realism and slowly drifted into abstraction, then came back to realism and am tipping into magical realism again, as the circle becomes complete
Do you have a network of other artists, and how do they support you?
I have maintained a good relationship with many of the artists that I have met along the way. I believe it important, as I can bounce ideas off people I know will answer me honestly. I also get to see their new ideas, styles, reasons and encouragement, when you’re lucky. It's like living abroad in a foreign city, but having a small band of people who all speak your language.
Is there a specific environment or material that's integral to your work?
For me, I like the studio to be mine, as in, I like to work alone, music going, canvases in all states of progression, books and reference at hand. I always tend to have the studio in my home, I like to wake up and walk straight in, fresh eyes, see many things. It also allows me to eat and live with the work and this can bring good closure to some pieces.
What factors influence the price of your work?
Sales and accomplishments are the real triggers for my prices to increase. It is seen as a sign of success to have elevating prices every few years but it is also a precarious path, as the more money your work commands you may find yourself in a shallower pool of clients. But as we grow we sometimes spend longer on our works and this reduces our output, which in turn, increases our prices.
How do you manage a work-life balance as an artist?
I travel as much as I can. I will do residencies abroad, get out of my comfort zone, and experience new places and people. I will get in my car and drive to Europe for months on end, away from the repetition of day to day life. I will paint and travel and then return to the studio refreshed and start the whole process again.
What is the best advice you have received in your career?
I met a painter on a flight to South Africa back in the 80s. He was famous in SA and I was only starting out. I was in the seat next to him and we chatted over the 12 hour flight. He was very generous with his experience and knowledge and told me that I needed to find that one thing that I would never tire of as this will also be the one thing I excel at. I need to work it, until it becomes my nature, then I can wander into any unknown territory for I will be well equipped.
Laurie M. Landry
Laurie M. Landry is a Deaf Canadian contemporary artist. She is particularly intrigued by the ways in which the hands and bodies can communicate an idea without speaking. In her paintings in oil on canvas or panels, she focuses on the power of hands to convey meaning and emphasize spoken statements by using gestural hands with contemporary subjects.
Q&A
How can your work affect societal issues?
The Deaf community's concerns regarding the potential loss of American Sign Language (ASL) due to advances in medicine and technology are deeply multifaceted. ASL is not merely a tool for communication; it is a cornerstone of Deaf cultural identity, linking individuals within a shared community and history. Centuries of historical oppression and forced assimilation have spurred a resilient movement to safeguard ASL against the pressures of the medical model, which often seeks to 'fix' deafness.
Advocates tirelessly emphasize the linguistic equality of ASL and its myriad benefits, working towards legislative protections and raising awareness about its profound richness. There is a palpable fear that an overreliance on technological solutions might erode the need for traditional, face-to-face ASL communication.
My artistic work is a response to these critical issues. I aim to highlight ASL as a cherished language and a vital part of Deaf cultural heritage. Through my art, I strive to visually represent the depth and beauty of this language by using hands as a central motif, capturing the essence of ASL's expressive and gestural nature.
Laurie Landry | Playful Gracesof AJ, 2021 | Oil | 38x76 inch
Which art trends inspire your current work?
The Baroque era (Rubens, Rembrandt and Gentileschi); “disruptive realism” artists such as Lucien Freud, Jenny Saville, and Alex Kanevsky; and Cubism, particularly where the focus is on overlapping body movements.
How has your style changed over time?
When I began my artistic journey, I started with acrylic paints, focusing on still life and landscapes. As I honed my skills, I transitioned to oils, delving into the world of landscape and still life painting in the styles of old masters such as Cezanne and the Dutch still life painters.
However, my true passion lay in figurative works. To delve deeper into this passion, I went to Paris to immerse myself in a month-long study of figurative drawing. Despite my initial lack of skill, I was determined to improve, dedicating myself to practice and seeking guidance through workshops and mentorships with masters like Cesar Santos and Nicole Sleeth.
Around four or five years ago, I underwent a significant shift in my artistic approach. I moved away from what I term 'technical painting' and began painting from a deeply personal perspective—drawing inspiration from my own experiences. Being a deaf woman, I found profound meaning and authenticity in creating artworks that reflect my unique perspective and journey.
What are your favorite and least favorite parts of professional art?
My favorite aspect of being an artist is the opportunity to connect with various individuals in the professional art world—meeting artist peers, engaging with art consultants, discussing with gallery managers, and sharing moments with those who genuinely appreciate art for its intrinsic value. It's incredibly thrilling when a random stranger reaches out to me, mentioning they encountered my work in an unexpected place and how much they loved it.
However, my least favorite part is encountering the darker side of the art world—scams and greed that exploit artists and collectors. These experiences have made me cautious about those who approach me out of the blue. It's a reminder that, unfortunately, one can never be too careful in navigating this industry.
What factors influence the price of your work?
As an artist, I carefully consider various factors when pricing my work, aiming to establish its perceived value in the art market. My education and experience, cultivated through investments in art school, workshops, and mentorships, contribute significantly to my skill and craftsmanship. This heightened quality justifies the higher price points I set, appealing to collectors who seek exclusivity and appreciate the mastery behind each piece. I also look to my peers, aligning my prices with those of similarly skilled contemporaries to ensure competitiveness and a sought-after position within the art scene.
The past sales of my artwork serve as a benchmark in my pricing strategy, reflecting the value collectors place on each acquisition. By maintaining consistent pricing, I aim to show respect for my patrons and cultivate trust in my work. I also factor in materials and production costs, showcasing the investment in premium materials and the labor-intensive nature of creating each piece. The size and complexity of my artwork further contribute to its price.
In the evolving art market, considerations such as past exhibitions and gallery placements underscore the exclusivity of my art, emphasizing its value beyond the canvas. Ultimately, my pricing strategy blends my skill, reputation, and market awareness.
What are your ultimate career goals?
My ultimate career goal is to be featured in renowned art museums and to secure representation with a blue chip gallery. I aspire to achieve international recognition and respect within the art world.
Tell me about a time you received negative comments or harsh criticism. How did you handle it?
When I posted my painting, 'The Playful Graces of AJ,' depicting a person who is Deaf-Plus, specifically living with cerebral palsy, I received generally positive reactions from the Deaf community. However, one person, who also had cerebral palsy, reacted very negatively, accusing me of mocking both AJ and cerebral palsy itself. I was taken aback and deeply concerned.
In response, I reached out to AJ directly to seek her perspective. I asked her if I had misrepresented or mocked her in any way with my painting, and I made it clear that if I had, I would remove the painting from public view immediately. To my relief, AJ loved the painting. She told me that it captured her personality truthfully and honestly, and that it resonated with her deeply.
AJ also reminded me that while there may be individuals who are disturbed by such representations, there are many more who appreciate the honest portrayal of multiple disabilities. She shared that the painting had a positive impact on many within the community and beyond, lifting their spirits and validating their experiences.
This experience reinforced to me the importance of engaging directly with the individuals I portray and seeking their perspectives. It also highlighted the diverse reactions that art can evoke, and the need to navigate these sensitivities with care and openness.
Describe a piece of art you are most proud of. Why?
As an artist, the journey of skill development is constant. There are moments when you reach a new level of competency, a feeling of leveling up that is incredibly rewarding. For me, 'Breathe' is that painting—it informed me that I had pushed through my limitations and that I have the potential to continue growing and improving.
In the Flesh | Oil paintings conveying body language →
33 Contemporary, with locations in Chicago and Miami, presents another exciting online exclusive hosted on Artsy.net. The show titled Flesh runs for almost the entirety of February, and features 20-plus artists who “work with the figure and use paint to convey body language,” notes the show curator, Didi Menendez.
In works like First Light by show artist Nicole Bishop, the body language is telling a story of healing after hardship—one piece out of a series that walks the viewer through stages of a female figures “metamorphosis and change,” says the artist. “Each piece stands alone and does not need to be seen with the others to be appreciated. First Light especially is a stand-alone piece and a personal favorite of mine.”