Sketches from my Past...

Stumbling on old drawings is always fun.

Here are a few from my college days!

At the time I really had no intention of becoming a professional artist.  I just love that!

Have a fabu day, and Ciao! ~Laurel :)

The Aberrations Have Begun!

I've been doing these little drawings for a while, and thought it might be fun to start doing them of famous people!  My first two are Marilyn Monroe and Frida Kahlo.  Their visages are iconic, which translate into great starter subjects for my Aberration Series.  Look for more to come!

(Click on the images for prints, stickers, or t-shirts)

The last image is a little something I did as a thank you to someone.  They don't know they are getting it, so I wonder if they'll see it here first!!! TeeHeeHee!!!

Have a colorful and FaBU day!!!

Beachy Montage

The beauty of life is evident in every breath, and I'm happy to capture it whenever I can!

 

Love and Light! ~Laurel

'What's In My Bag' This Month?

I got to see a lot of art this month.  Always a plus for 'What's in my Bag!'

I also held an avant-garde ATC Event.

Here were my lovely contributions:

Ciao! Laurel :)

Large Brushstrokes and a Free Spirit!

Plein Air in the Ojai Valley was an experiment!  My painterly friend and I drove through the mountainside, looking for a perfect location.  One of the things I intended to do was paint with complete freedom and abandonment.  I used an enormous brush and went wild on a small canvas.  I wanted to be messy, goopy, expressive.  I tried, anyway.

After a few hours of vigorous slop, I stood back as if confident and announced, "I'm Done!"

My plein air friend was still working with detailed brushstrokes, and so I sat next to her and sipped on my mint and green tea fusion.  It was a lovely day in the countryside :)

Happy Vacationing!!! ~Laurel

Neato Beato

When  the forecast calls for wind and rain, stick your thumb to your nose and say 'So What!'

Such was the case for my trip with an artsy friend to Ojai to visit the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts.  The weather turned out to be amazing!  Inspired by Beatrice after spending hours in her home/gallery and studio, we painted on antique fabrics in a lavender garden seated under a flowery trellis next to an elephant fountain, while frogs croaked in the pond nearby, and an ambiguous black cat curled under our feet.

My piece was greatly influenced by her style of her drawing, and the Lavender Inn!

some of her personal artifacts

from her studio

the throne of beato

elephant at the lavender inn

ojai is gorgeous!

Namaste! ~Laurel

Daydreaming in Color!

My new piece became an experiment in color!

pencil, pen, pastel, and acrylic

Copyright Signature Laurel

New Bohemia!!!!

For the Beach Bum in Everyone

I got inspired to do a Beach Bum Tshirt!

Click on images for sizing and availablity.

Where I live right now it is warm and beautiful and the sun is shining on the ocean waves.

Have a Beachy day!

:) Laurel (:

Peaceful Unity with the Universe!

Some pieces I have recently finished up seem to have the same kind of theme going.. peaceful harmony!

Peace and Love! Laurel :)

Getting Colorful and Creative

I have so many little pieces of fun just waiting to be finished and uploaded here.  Today this one made it to graduation.  Who knows why?   :'P

Colorful abstraction from the void of reality which dwells within our subconscious and yearns to be dissected.

Ciao! Laurel <3

Sunsets Galore!

I am blessed to live on the beach, and happily get both the sunrise and sunset from my living room.  I confess I am addicted to taking pictures of the sun, and who can blame me? Here are a few of the latest from our wondrous creator.

 

Hope you have a gorgeous day!

~Laurel

What's in My Bag noW?

I've been so busy I can barely check what's in my bag, but here are a few excerpts!..

Creative Colorful Commission

When I was asked to do this 36"x48" commissioned piece I knew I had my work cut out for me.  The main goal was to make it work well in the space, which includes bright colors of all types together in a flowering display of vibrancy.

 

The client loved it, and it looks amazing in the eclectic space, so I'm thrilled!

Thanks and Ciao!  Laurel :)

What's in My Bag

I'm really enjoying the visual journey I took for this edition of "What's in My Bag".  Hope you will too!

Thanks for stopping by!  Laurel :)

Downtown Wholesale Art!

A tribute to the CYC Ladies!

I was recently invited to a fun excursion with a group of CYC ladies on a bus filled with mimosas on the way to the downtown wholesale market!  I can not even begin to describe what it is like there.. rows upon rows of storefronts, some of which were full and bustling, some quiet and surreal.  I found some wonderful things I've been looking for at amazing wholesale prices.  I vow to go back forever!  It's kind of like the Vatican or the Louvre, you can not possibly see it all in one day.  Hahaha

Bon Voyage! ~Laurel

The Art of Cuisine

I was perusing the Dollar Book Store when my eyes spotted a gem!  'The Art of Cuisine' by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and his childhood friend Maurice Joyant, who put together Lautrec's recipes after he died.   Every page is filled with Lautrec's art, along with all his very own recipes that he invented.  He thought of cuisine as an artistic expression, and I agree!

 Since I cook a lot, I always want to share the beautiful dishes I make, but I don't want this to be a food blog, so with Lautrec in mind this time, I offer my plate of Red Velvet Cupcakes as my artistic expression this week!  They're just too pretty and yummy not to share. (Paula Deen's Recipe)

If you can get the book, I highly recommend it, if only for the art!  I can't wait to make something from it... Sheep's trotters poulette and Boar's Head? or how about Grilled shad on a bed of young sorrel?

Adieu! -Laurel

Collage Du Jour

Here are a few more of my collages inspired by the ATCs!

Ciao! Laurel

Collage Inspirage!~

My dearest friend gave me a fun magazine full of vintage images, so I immediately felt inspired and went to work!  This is what came to life before me, and I have another one on its way!  Thanks DVV!

Ciao! Laurel

La Papessa.. Pope Joan Inspires!

My book club just finished Pope Joan and I was inspired to make an ATC (Artist Trading Card) for the host and bookmarks for the rest of the gals!  Sometimes I just can't help it, and La Papessa took control!

Ciao! Laurel

Bust of Shells, my Little Statue

I found a bag of shells in my studio and immediately envisioned a bust made out of them.  I instantly began the piece, and here it is!  It can sit on multiple sides, making for different experiences, based on your mood.

Original Available

Let the sun shine on you today!
Ciao! Laurel :)