About the Artist
Laurel Martin is a prolific painter both in her Markham studio and outdoors, en plein air. Daily Painting is an important part of her practice and is is up early every morning to paint a small 5 by 7 inch painting while enjoying her coffee. These daily paintings can be seen on her Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/laurelmartin/. Larger paintings are worked on in the afternoon. If the weather is good she loves to paint outdoors. Her kayak is her favorite vantage point. Laurel is also a member of the Markham Group of Artists where she is the webmaster and registrar as well as The Artists' Network.
As a child she loved to go to art galleries more than anything else in the world and assumed all children were like that. She was lucky enough to live in both England and France as well as Toronto and was able to see many different galleries as a child. The Impressionist and the Fauves were a huge influence. She began her art practice as a child drawing with crayons never stopped creating. She spent many years doing watercolour, printmaking and mixed media but for the past three years has worked exclusively in oil.
As a child she loved to go to art galleries more than anything else in the world and assumed all children were like that. She was lucky enough to live in both England and France as well as Toronto and was able to see many different galleries as a child. The Impressionist and the Fauves were a huge influence. She began her art practice as a child drawing with crayons never stopped creating. She spent many years doing watercolour, printmaking and mixed media but for the past three years has worked exclusively in oil.
Artist Statement
My process begins when something that catches my eye and gives me a feeling of wonder. It could be a bright patch of sky on a cloudy day, leaves turning in the wind or a bouquet of flowers with the sunlight filtering through the petals. I feel the need to re-create that feeling of wonder. It's a way to hang onto something fleeting. I often make a quick sketch with oil pastels to capture the idea and work out the values or light and dark areas. I paint in oil because of the creamy texture, the shine and the vibrant colour. The painting begins with a plan but soon it becomes a dance between me and the painting. What does it need? Where is it going? It becomes it's own thing and I'm listening.
My work is bold with strong wide brush strokes which convey the energy I feel when I'm painting. I take inspiration from the Fauvist painters who's bright colours and visible brushwork transmit an undeniable vitality and sense of delight. I also love the colours used by Paul Gauguin. His indigo blues, warm oranges and vibrant greens remind me of my own experience with island life. These colours together with energetic brush strokes are a defining characteristic of my painting.
My work is bold with strong wide brush strokes which convey the energy I feel when I'm painting. I take inspiration from the Fauvist painters who's bright colours and visible brushwork transmit an undeniable vitality and sense of delight. I also love the colours used by Paul Gauguin. His indigo blues, warm oranges and vibrant greens remind me of my own experience with island life. These colours together with energetic brush strokes are a defining characteristic of my painting.
Recent Exhibitions
2024 Art Walk in the Square, CF Shoppes at Don Mills, Artist Network, Juried Entry
2024 Solo Show, Espresso 21 Cafe and Gallery, Main Street Unionville
2024 Riverdale Art Walk, Jimmie Simpson Park, Artist Network, Juried entry
2024 Viewpoints 2024, McKay Art Centre, Juror Olex Wlasenko
2024 Alchemy of Color, Kefi Art Gallery with Curator On the Go
2023 Small is Beautiful Art Show and Sale, McKay Art Centre
2023 Windows Open Juried Exhibition, Markham Group of Artists, Honorable Mention
2023 Solo Show, Espresso 21, Main Street Unionville
2023 Living Colour, Espresso 21, Main Street Unionville.
2023 Views of the Village Art Show and Sale, Whitevale
2023 Markham Group of Artists, Windows Open Juried Show, Honorable Mention
2023 Whitevale Spring Festival Art Show
2023 Viewpoint 2023 juried show, McKay Art Centre
2022 Small is Beautiful Show and Sale, McKay Art Centre
2022 Whitevale Arts and Culteral Centre, Porchfest Art Show
2022 The Neilson Park Creative Centre, Impact 2022 Juried Show
2022 Markham Group of Artists On-Line Show, The Sunflower Project
2021 Markham Group of Artists On-Line Show, Windows Open, Best in Show
2021 Markham Group of Artists On-Line Show, Artist Choice Spring Show
2020 Markham Group of Artists On-Line Show, Small is Beautiful
2020 Markham Group of Artists On-Line Show, Plein Air Inspirations
2018 McKay Art Gallery Unionville, Emerging Artist Show
2024 Solo Show, Espresso 21 Cafe and Gallery, Main Street Unionville
2024 Riverdale Art Walk, Jimmie Simpson Park, Artist Network, Juried entry
2024 Viewpoints 2024, McKay Art Centre, Juror Olex Wlasenko
2024 Alchemy of Color, Kefi Art Gallery with Curator On the Go
2023 Small is Beautiful Art Show and Sale, McKay Art Centre
2023 Windows Open Juried Exhibition, Markham Group of Artists, Honorable Mention
2023 Solo Show, Espresso 21, Main Street Unionville
2023 Living Colour, Espresso 21, Main Street Unionville.
2023 Views of the Village Art Show and Sale, Whitevale
2023 Markham Group of Artists, Windows Open Juried Show, Honorable Mention
2023 Whitevale Spring Festival Art Show
2023 Viewpoint 2023 juried show, McKay Art Centre
2022 Small is Beautiful Show and Sale, McKay Art Centre
2022 Whitevale Arts and Culteral Centre, Porchfest Art Show
2022 The Neilson Park Creative Centre, Impact 2022 Juried Show
2022 Markham Group of Artists On-Line Show, The Sunflower Project
2021 Markham Group of Artists On-Line Show, Windows Open, Best in Show
2021 Markham Group of Artists On-Line Show, Artist Choice Spring Show
2020 Markham Group of Artists On-Line Show, Small is Beautiful
2020 Markham Group of Artists On-Line Show, Plein Air Inspirations
2018 McKay Art Gallery Unionville, Emerging Artist Show