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Laurie DeVaultBoldBrush Recommends: Laurie DeVault
Get Notified When Laurie Posts New Art BiographyLaurie DeVault was fortunate to grow up in a home where art was valued and where her own creative efforts were encouraged. Some of her happiest times were spent with paper, paints, and markers. She was an incessant doodler all through school, and dreamed of becoming a children's book writer and illustrator. Her parents didn't believe in having a television in their home, so she and her siblings entertained themselves in various ways, such as reading and writing stories, exploring the outdoors, playing games, and making their own gift wrap and greeting cards. Her mother drove her to an art teacher's house every week when she was ten, and it was there that she discovered the pure pleasure of creation. There was little instruction and she was free to explore a variety of materials. When the mother of one of the students offered her $5 for her painting, DeVault's mother intervened before she could accept. She still teases her mother about delaying her art career by 40 years when she stopped the sale. DeVault's family was also a traveling family. Her mother took the children to live in Mexico when DeVault was quite young, and the love for that warm and vibrant country remains in all of them, and perhaps has influenced some of her painting today. Her stepfather was a professor, which meant extended summer vacations spent camping as well as traveling to Canada, Mexico, and Europe. She feels these experiences inspired her love for nature as well as deepened her appreciation for the cultures and histories of others. The vast museums, dusty ruins, and lively market places stimulated her young imagination and she filled dozens of journals with her drawings and her dreams. Although she was an art major in college, DeVault knew she wouldn't pursue a career as an artist. She was well aware of the struggles to succeed in that world, and felt fortunate to be called to teach young children. After earning her art degree and teaching certification, she spent decades teaching all subjects to children and rarely painting for herself. In later years DeVault raised a son and started a small portrait photography business (A Loving Eye Photography) while still continuing to teach. Those were busy times. After retiring from elementary school teaching she earned a certificate to teach English to speakers of other languages (TESOL), and has enjoyed working with adults from all over the world. However, most of DeVault's focus has really been on painting. She was inspired to pick up a paint brush again after attending the "Painting Experience" workshop facilitated by Stewart Cubley. Just like when she was ten, DeVault was left to create as she pleased, free from instruction and restrictions. Soon after that she created an art studio in her basement and fine-tuned her skills by working with various artists such as abstract painter and instructor Theresa Girard. DeVault feels that painting again is like returning home after a long journey abroad. The pleasure of creation is familiar and sweet. She often thinks of the art books in her childhood home and of the exhibits her mother took her to, such as ones featuring the work of Paul Klee. Although she's sure that being exposed to these artists at an early age influenced her work, she feels that she already had a natural predisposition to love the works of Klee, Chagall, Kandinsky, Steinberg, and others. She notes that her siblings were exposed to the same works and neither became an artist. And, although she viewed the works of Raphael, Seurat, Manet, and others, she was never inspired to paint in those styles. (She explores this further in her piece "What Influences Our Art?" from February 2016, available here if you go to "Read Past Issues" on her Newsletter page). Abstract painting is the natural path for DeVault. It is where she can be free to create in the moment, unbound by expectations about what the final product must look like. She strives to get out of her own way, ignoring the voices of judgment and self doubt. She feels it is only then that her work comes alive and sings with joy and authenticity. Sometimes DeVault feels like a sculptor who senses a beautiful shape hidden within the stone; all she has to do is chip away until it is revealed. When she spreads paint on canvas, she looks to see what it is telling her. It leads, she follows, and when she finally gets to where she's meant to be, she simply says... yes. To listen to my interview with the B.A.D. podcast, please go to https://radiopublic.com/bad-media-G4mR9o/s1!dd2fc Learn More About Laurie DeVault Who Does Kevin Macpherson Trust with His Website? FASO, of Course! Get Started Free for 30 Days and Learn Why. New Artwork by FASO Members Your art could be here tomorrow, for free.
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