About Page
Artist Statement
Artist Statement Laura Eklund
You might think of these paintings as maps or blueprints that are conceived in an interior world where the soul manifests itself into a concrete world. With my abstract and non-objective work I sometimes start with dissimilar cells of color and forms that act as a springboard to construct and ascertain different compositions that become harmonies and sometimes discords. Sometimes the paintings visualize and make themselves known completely in my head, before I ever begin painting, and other times the paintings start with ideas and forms from nature that can originate from an organic form such as a tree, rock, or fallen leaf. I hope to extend the aesthetic and conversation of the abstract expressionists.
With my figurative work I hope to create a mystery and ambiguity that is strange and beautiful; a representation of the mysteries and indistinctness of life that has always inspired and amazed me.
More about me/Bio/ Updated July 2009:
My goals in life are spiritual and artistic. What you might find interesting about me is I am always doing something creative. I have so much inspiration...not sure why exactly. I know I have been this way since I was a kid. What is in my mind; my imagination; has always been more real to me than the outside world. An artist lives in the world they create; and in the world inside their heads...I know this is true. I have been blessed with a very powerful, very vivid imagination, and it governs my whole life. I can paint all day, everyday and it is never enough. I am so inspired to do this all the time. I never tire of ideas or inspiration. I am truly a "natural-born" artist. I am really good at shutting out everything and retreating to my inner world. I spend the majority of my time in my art studio, where everything comes alive and my dreams come true. I have great drive and determination in my art, to do things in painting and poetry that have never been done before. I work very hard all the time at achieving these goals.
I am a (sign of the poet) pisces, (true to the sign) born March 12th, 1982 in Morehead, Ky. We are the artists and poets of the zodiac. I am extremely creative, psychic, sensitive, spiritual, empathetic, giving. I am also an athlete and love animals. I have many interests, including ventroliquism, marine biology, art history, astrology, and scuba diving.
I have dreams of living a long life producing a great body of art work and writing many books...I have many projects up my sleeve!
The majority of my youth was spent reading and working hard on my poetry. I got my first poem published when I was eleven in an anthology.
Along with all the great visual artists, my greatest influences are the language poets... but have been influenced by everyone since Byron and Wordsworth. I really, really love the poetry of George Eklund, Alice Notley, John Ashberry, Mark Ford, Ann-Marie Macari, Carol Ann Davis, Gerald Stern...Marvin Bell...I can't say enough how poetry has inspired and continues to inspire my art. I have been writing poems furiously since I was in third grade. At this time I have about eight books of poetry I have written and edited. Thanks for looking at my art. I hope you are inspired.
Exhibitions
2009
Portland Classic Gallery, Portland, Oregon
Laura Eklund
Jan, 2009
Jennifer Zing Gallery, Frankfort, Ky.
Kentucky Women at Work
May, 2008
Portland, Oregon
Portland Classic Gallerys Grand Opening Reception
July 2008
Mayors Office, Lexington, Ky
Visual Dialogue V, Sixty New Paintings by Laura Eklund, solo show
Spring, 08
Grayon, Ky.
Moral Painting, Commission, Korean and Vietnam War
Jan, 2008
Get Smart Gallery, Bluefield, West Virginia
Laura Eklund, new figurative work, solo show
Feb, 2008
Jennifer Zing Gallery, Frankfort, Ky.
Figuratively Speaking
Jan. 2008
Frankfort, Ky.
Kentucky Visions at the Capital, Capital Annex
June, 2007
Lexington Art League, Lexington, Ky.
Recycled Matter, Juried
June, 2007
Lexington, Ky.
Art at the Cathedral, Juried, Cathedral
May, 2007
Huntington, West Virginia
280, Juried, Huntington Museum of Art, 3 paintings
May, 2007
Lexington, Ky.
Generation Next: Emerging Artists Show, By Nomination, 3 paintings
Feb, 2007
Frankfort, Ky.
Kentucky Visions at the Capital, by invitation
may-jul.07
Loudon House: Lexington Art League, Lexington Kentucky
Generation Next: Emerging Artists of Kentucky, by Nomination
feb-apr.07
The Capitol Annex, Frankfort, Kentucky
Kentucky Visions at the Capitol, by Invitation
12/06-1/07
Local Color Gallery, Nashville, Tennesee
Small Treasures
July 2006
The Ann Davis Gallery Ashland, Ky.
10 new paintings by Laura Eklund
June 2006
The Art Depository, Nicholasville, Ky.
Essence, Composure, Healing
July 2006
Central Bank Gallery Lexington, Ky
The Woman and Her Work: New Paintings by an Appalachian Visionary
Nov. 2005
Minneapolis, MN
Altered Esthetics- International Juried Show
July 2005
Ashland Art Gallery
Abstract Paintings by Laura Eklund Opening Reception Friday July 1st 5-9pm
3/05
Fauntleroy's Cafe Lexington, Ky
Visions of the Psyche: Paintings by Laura Eklund
Gallery Representation
Estells Gallery Scottsdale, Arizona
Reviews and Press
Oct 2005
Special Recognition
Jurors Statement
Laura's Favorites
Check out George Eklunds Poetry!!
Literary Travel and Creative Breaks
Unique Visionary Abstract Paintings by Eva Ryn
Unique, Mystical Photographs by Karen Telford
David Bartlett Photography, truly the best of landscape photographers
Contemporary Quilts, Blogs, & Drawings by Jennifer Reis
THE PORTUGAL PAINTER~MANFREDO PASSOS
Another Morehead, Kentuckian! ~Joe Sartors Graceful Paintings
Michael Thomas Sachs, German Painter
The Drawings & Paintings of Jason Barker
Peek Inside the Manhattan Studio of Xanda McCagg
Sherji Design Communication: Professional Designers Yanya Yang and Deeno Golding
New Unpublished Essays By Clement Greenberg [my favorite art critic]!!