Laura Elliott
I am an innovative, contemporary artist who is passionate about creating and commissioning paintings; ranging from landscapes to the human form.
Colours can influence a person or a location and this excites me. I feel that colour can explore and connote a deep emotional meaning to viewers of my work and this is a central consideration when each piece is created. Concepts of: emotion, memory and location are incorporated through the uplifting use of colour, with a combination of painting techniques. Additionally, direction and movement feature strongly within my work, using my brush strokes to direct the viewer’s eye within my work. Art comes alive within people’s minds and I aim to ignite the same excitement within every person who views or buys my work.
I draw, paint and photograph, and often use mixed media within my art, creating a wide range of work from landscape to figurative. However, I primarily paint landscapes, seascapes and sky scapes, using nature, imagination and the world around me to influence and guide my work. Primarily I work within acrylics, integrating the fluidity and quick drying times to drive my fast pace of painting. The backgrounds of my landscapes are created with a wet-on-wet technique, using brush strokes with a dry brush to integrate texture and imply movement and direction. I developed these techniques within a number of abstract skyscapes, allowing me to explore my fascination with clouds and colour, consequently informing and developing my land and sea scapes. The foreground is painted in a second session, overlaying impasto lines, enhancing colour with a wooden stick and palette knives and brush strokes adding additional non-linear, gestural details.
My work encompasses my multimedia experience and I also enjoy practicing art within the media of photography, drawing and the written form. I have practiced, within my education, two specialty areas within Fine Art and Photography integrating and overlapping the two elements, along with theoretical debates and issues, to inform and continually progress my ideas.
I have exhibited within the UK since 1995 in group shows showing both paintings and sculpture; however, 2006 saw the beginning of the next level of my career, business and exhibition opportunities. I have artwork displayed in private collections in both the UK and USA. I am promoted both internationally through exciting online galleries and locally in Yellow Pages and other such business directories. In June 2006 I was accepted as an artist with the online art gallery, magazine and business London Art Co UK Ltd (www.londonart.co.uk) allowing a new exciting opportunity to sell, commission and exhibit my artwork within a virtual environment. In 2006, I placed a selection of landscapes into a Climate Change online exhibition with London Art, as many of my pieces represent how global warming has transformed our landscapes.
In 2007, I have been accepted to exhibit with Ickenox Ltd within London Galleries (www.freewebs.com/ickenoxexhibitions/index.htm) and The Picture Craft Gallery, Holt, Norfolk (www.picturecraftgallery.com). In April 2007 I was accepted to exhibit and be represented by Art Space Galleries in Mayfair, London, which allows me an exciting future opportunity to establish my name within London.
My artistic influences and passions are both male and female. However, as a progressive woman I enjoy exploring innovative female contemporary artists, such as Maggie Hambling, Tracey Emin, Jenny Saville and other such exciting, progressive and challenging artists. I relate to their work in a profound way, which inspires and spurs me on. I enjoy their confidence, faith, techniques and ideas. Other artists who informed my formative artistic years are past ‘masters’ including: Frida Kahlo, Jackson Pollock and Picasso.
EDUCATION:
• Art and Media BA (Hons): Specialist areas Fine Art and photography - 3rd Year graduation 2008
• Art and Media Diploma of Higher Education (2:1)(2006)
• Access Art and Design (2003): Specialist areas of interest include painting and photography.
• A Level: Art and Design and History
Future Exhibitions:
•14th May- 30th June 2007: Artspace Galleries, 18 Maddox Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 1PN. Private Viewings: 15th and 18th May.
•2nd-30th June 2007: SOLO Exhibition, The Amberden Art Gallery, Hampstead, London, NW3.
•Sat and Sun 4th - 5th August 2007: Ickenox Art and Craft Fair, Chiswick Town Hall, Heathfield Terrace, London, W4.
•1st – 30th September 2007: As Yet Unknown Gallery, Arch 65 Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, Camden Town, London, NW1 8AH.
•8th - 29th November 2007: Picture Craft Gallery and Exhibition Centre, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 6HS.
2008:
•Dates TBC, October 2008: Ickenox Art and Craft Fair, Chiswick Town Hall, Heathfield Terrace, London, W4.
•Dates TBC, October 2008: Ickenox Art Exhibition, The Woburn Gallery, Bloomsbury, London, WC.
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Past Exhibitions:
• 25th April - 8th May 2007: Artspace Galleries, 18 Maddox Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 1PN.
• 2nd - 16th April 2007: Artspace Galleries, 18 Maddox Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 1PN.
• 2-3rd & 9-12th November 2006: Contemporary Underground—World of Art Exhibitions: Liberté d’Expression Competition. Two exhibition locations: Barclays Global Headquarters, Canary Wharf and Candid Arts Trust, 3 Torrens St, London, EC1V 1NQ.
• 8th July 2006—23rd September 2006: Bracknell Art Gallery, Charles Square, Bracknell, Berkshire, UK.
• 30th July 2006: AMBIENCE Group Exhibition, Corus Hotel, Dukes Ride, Crowthorne, Berkshire, UK.
• July 2003: Access Art and Design Final Exhibition, Group Show, Bracknell, Berkshire, UK.
• December 2002: Access Art and Design Exhibition, Group Show, Bracknell, Berkshire, UK
• July 1995: Group Show, Wokingham, Berkshire, UK.
• July 1994: Group Sculpture Exhibition, Wokingham, Berkshire, UK.
EDUCATION:
• Art and Media Diploma of Higher Education (2:1)(2006)
• Access Art and Design (2003): Specialist areas of interest include painting and photography.
• A Level: Art and Design and History
COMPETITIONS/ AWARDS:
• Contemporary Underground—World of Art Exhibitions: Liberté d´Expression Competition finalist, two exhibitions held in London, November 2006 (please see past exhibitions).
• Art.com, Fall 2006 Call to Art Finalist (of 10), 'Seasonal Landscapes', October 2006.
Acrylics, Canvas, Drawing, Mixed Media, Oil pastel, Oils, Pastels, Pencil/Charcoal, Varnishing, Watercolour
Abstract, Colour Mixing, Expressionism, Figure, Impressionism, Landscape, Life Drawing, Portrait, Seascapes and Water, Skies, Still Life, Trees and Foliage
Berkshire, United Kingdom Mainland