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Painter, sculptor, jewelry maker of Greensboro
www.lyndonstreetartworks.com

ARTISTIC BEGINNINGS

I grew up in Dallas, Texas. I started painting when I was really young. I've always been a painter. I moved to Greensboro to go to Guilford College, and I studied art and psychology. I also had a minor in religious studies. I concentrated in sculpture, which was a really difficult decision. I knew that I'd always be a painter, so I figured studying sculpture would give me the opportunity to actually learn how to make this craft and have all these tools, materials and a teacher. I've never been taught how to paint; I just started painting when I was young.

 

HER FAMILY'S INFLUENCE

On my dad's side, we have some artists in the family, but I grew up with my mom's side, and I just started painting one day. I'm not really sure when I got into it. I just started and realized that when I was upset or when I was going through something, I could just paint. Usually most of my paintings are driven by emotional themes. Painting is like an outlet.

My family has been an important part of my development as an artist. Not only have they been extremely supportive, but they also have been a source of inspiration. I am grateful for my mother's drive, my stepdad's composure, my brother's love, my sister's gumption and my father's artistic talents. Growing up with a strong home base gave me strength to explore art as a source of expression.

 

EXPLORING MEDIUMS

I did acrylic for years, and then I went to college and discovered oil, and it changed my life! I just started doing some watercolor this past year, too. I like to explore everything.

With acrylic, you put the paint on and you have about 10 minutes or so before it is totally dry, whereas with oil, you have a few weeks before it is totally dry, depending on how thick it is. It's easy to layer with acrylic because you can paint, let it dry, come back in an hour and paint again. You can totally change it. But it can also be bad if you're doing a face and you need to smear the features together, then it's too dry. I enjoy oil more these days because I can work with it more.

HER PAINTINGS

Mostly everything I've been doing recently, although I've started some realistic stuff, is completely abstract. I'll usually come up with a color theme. I did a series where one color will represent that something is happening. Like for one, the blue was this negative experience that I had, and it was spread onto other parts of the painting as I continued through the series. No one really knows what's going on unless I explain it.

TEACHING ART

I'm also an art teacher at New Garden Friend's School. I've been teaching there for about a year and a half. It's really the perfect job because I can go to work, and I talk about art and teach art all day long. And then I come home, get a quick bite to eat, and then I come here and I work. All day is art. It's really wonderful.

THE IMPORTANCE OF ART EDUCATION

You have to have your own peace. If you keep taking away these opportunities for kids, they're just going to be like little computer screens: only stare at the computer and do everything on the computer, and they don't find ways to express themselves. You have to give them solid tools to work with.

One of my goals is to make sure that it's fun and to make sure the kids are enjoying themselves and experiencing it and not feeling like they can't do it. I'm trying to give kids the opportunity to just let it flow, let themselves express and get it out. If they feel that art is something they can really attach to, to have that part of their life, that's great. But if they don't, well, at least they gave it a shot.

WHY ABSTRACT

I feel like with this type of work, I can just immediately go to that place. It's like I've created this highway where I can just express it immediately, and I know exactly what I see, and sometimes I go through this process if I'm stuck. I just stop and close my eyes, and I wait for it to come. When it comes, then I can just do it. I think it just brings peace. Once I get it out, once I finish the painting, I'm good.

 

-- Laura Smith

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