Artistic Designs by Laurie - A Fine Art Feature

"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures."

~Henry Ward Beecher

It's my pleasure and honor to introduce you to Laurie Anderson, a fine artist from Ohio whose favorite subjects are nature, landscapes, and portraiture interpreted in her favorite media of watercolors and pencil.

As I always do, I asked Laurie to share whatever she wanted to about herself - and this is what she sent me...

About me and my world:

My art is my passion. I've been creating art ever since I can remember. My mom says I started on the living room wall with crayons when I was 2 years old! Over the years, I've been doing art here and there while working and raising a family. A wonderful 2 year art course helped me perfect and fine-tune my talent. After 19 years of creating and selling my art on the side, I decided to quit my day job and do it full-time. That was one year ago this month! There is no greater pleasure than the joy radiating from the face of a customer, and sometimes tears, when I unveil a portrait of a loved one. My God-given talent is a blessing and I pray that it will continue to encourage, inspire and touch many hearts.

I also asked Laurie to answer a few "interview" questions for me, and I'm happy to share the questions with her answers...

Karen: If you could have lunch with anyone (presently living or from the past), who would it be and what would you talk about?
Laurie: I would give anything to have lunch with my little boy who died 22 years ago. First I would hold him and tell him how much I love him. Then I would ask him to tell me what Heaven is like, so I know that I'll see him when I get there.

K: Was there one defining moment when you realized that your life’s creative passion was being an artist or was it a more gradual realization?
Laurie: I knew, from early on, that being involved in art was where I wanted to be.

K: Were you one of those prim and proper little girls who hated getting dirty or were you more of a tomboy, making mud pies after a summer rain?
Laurie: I did have dolls when I was little, but I was mostly a tomboy, climbing trees and making forts in the woods.

K: What's more important in life, faith or hope?
Laurie: I think faith is more important. Without faith, there is no hope.

K: Hot fudge sundae or deep dish apple pie?
Laurie: Hmmm... that's a hard one! I would have to say apple pie.

K: Share one thing about yourself that almost nobody knows. (well, until now!)
Laurie: I would have to say that it is taking me a long time to grow up. Life is a continual learning process. All my mistakes in the past are stepping stones to make improvements to be a better person and I have a long way to go. But I'm working on it.

Laurie is an independent artist and you can find her on Facebook where she shares the latest of her projects and her world. Her website, Artistic Designs by Laurie is where you can go to browse through (and purchase from!) her collection of fine art paintings, prints, cards, and wearable art jewelry... as well as contact her for information on commissioned portraits! While the artwork you've seen up to this point in this feature were selected by Laurie as examples of her skills in creating portraits of people and homes, I picked a few of my favorites from her website to share with you as well!

Having grown up in the Midwest, I have a love affair with covered bridges. In fact, when I still lived back there, right around this time of year I would be heading to the Covered Bridge Festival in Rensselaer, Indiana for my fill of the arts and crafts festival, music and of course, visiting these wonderful wooden bridges - a piece of Americana that I hope will somehow be preserved forever! Of course, thanks to artists like Laurie, they will assuredly be preserved in the arts :)
(State Road Bridge Ashtabula County, OH)

In addition to her nature and landscape portraits, Laurie also has a flair for the whimsical! And with the winter holidays right around the corner, I had to check out some of her cards. I immediately fell in love with this adorable Snowmen Musical Notes Card, since it combines two things I love - snowman building and music! I think I'm starting to get into the spirit of the holidays now!!







Butterflies - YES! For many years while I was going through my own transformation of sorts and trying to get my life to a place that was healthier and happier, butterflies were my life avatar. I surrounded myself with them to remind myself of the beauty that came from struggles... and I still have a few nearby to keep reminding me not to let myself ever get back to the chasm of darkness that it was - and it works! Whether you love butterflies simply because they're beautiful, or they hold a special meaning or symbolism for you, check out Laurie's selection of butterfly themed art and wearable art like this Yellow Butterfly Pendant. It's just one of many beautiful pendants in a variety of themes.

I hope you've enjoyed meeting Laurie and learning more about this very talented artist! I'll be back tomorrow with another Q&A post - and I do have room for one more question, so if there's anything you'd like to know about crafting or the handmade world, send your question on over!

Have a wonderful Tuesday and I'll see you soon!