Artist Spotlight: Laura Campbell

Art

Jan 18

Written By

I learned of Laura Campbell when I selected a print of hers through vintageprintgallery.com. I instantly fell in love with the abstract piece (the first one below) as if just felt so perfect for our new green living room.

Laura's body of work is diverse and I specially love some of her mixed media!

Let's get to know more about Laura Campbell...

Tell me a bit about your journey, were you always an artist?

I was always a dreamer and maker of things. Nature has always been the root of my art and I think it's because my childhood was spent outside. The backyard was a blank canvas for my daydreaming and the trees gave me a sense of security. While I played outside my father worked in his garage tinkering away on cars and various house projects. He was always working with his hands and it gave me a front row seat to what it was like to remain dedicated to your work and seeing value in the process of creating something.

Rather than rushing to the finish line I can appreciate the slowness and tap into the meditative nature of the process in any project.

As designers we see an evolution in our style and aesthetic, I assume the same holds true for artists. What was your evolution like? How has it evolved?

As artists we must adapt and change or the evolution cannot happen. I committed to art in college after taking a course on art therapy, and from both a clinical and spiritual standpoint, my eyes were opened up to the value of making art.

Creating art is healing and revealing and I learn a little more about myself every time I try to create something new.

I received classical training in oil painting as a foundation and went on to explore so many different materials/mediums from glass and clay to literal garbage (recycled art!). All of the exploration has led me back to what is most important and, for me, it has always been nature. Currently my artwork is inspired by colors and textures found in nature as well as animals, shapes, and sounds.

What is the message behind your art? What do you want people to take away or feel through your pieces?

Stimulated, curious, calm, connected to themselves, open to what they might not understand, hopeful, dreamy, and maybe even the urge to hug someone!

Did you ever have insecurities with sharing your work? If so how did you get over that?

Insecurity always rears its ugly head when we share that which is most important to us. I am my most vulnerable when I share what I've created because it's a direct line to what goes on in my head and suddenly it's out there for the world to see.

Now I understand that vulnerability is truth and there is a lot of strength in showing who you truly are.

Sometimes I come across a quote that speaks to my core so intensely I have to share it with others. Do you have a favourite quote that has touched you or pushed you in some way?

"The path to discovery is through play." No matter what, this quote is always applicable! I think artists crave the feeling of having that "BIG IDEA!" or the moment of creative genius that inspires a new project. I think discovery and progress comes from going outside your comfort zone, coloring outside the lines, driving down a new road, ordering that strange thing on the menu, etc. You can't get anywhere new without experimenting with the unfamiliar and that goes for pretty much any part of life!

What's been the toughest part about turning your passion/art into a business?

As a commercial artist the hardest part has been separating my creative taste from the taste of clients or what is trending that season. Sometimes I have to make art that doesn’t excite me but the true task is working in spite of that. Over the years I have come to realize that the act of creating art is a muscle that must constantly be exercised to avoid atrophying, but the soul of creativity is the heart that must also be nurtured.

Who are your favourite artists or influences and why?

My great grandparents Doug and Flora Durgin for daring to be different, Jenny Holzer for confronting the world with words, Grace Coddington for changing the way I see fashion, Liana Finck because a little says a lot, Paul Stamets for opening my eyes to the powerfully healing forces of nature.

Five favourite things right now?