LAURA HILTS
Laura Hilts
Website: https://lauralhilts.wixsite.com/artist
My Art Studio:
The ideal art space should have good lighting, a view, organized storage spaces, many flat surfaces for working, sturdy easel, music, a sink, maybe even a washroom. I would also want the "butler's bell" that Susan Hiebert wished to have in her studio. Just ring and someone brings healthy snacks and gourmet lunches!
I have no bell or sink in my studio but there is a washroom nearby and someday I hope to improve the lighting. But in the meantime here are some photos of my studio as it is today. I did not tidy up! so that you can see the real space I feel very lucky to have.
One Goal:
One Goal is to get back to drawing regularly. Once you have put in many hours of practice with a skill, you can take liberties...make it look easy! Like practising scales on a musical instrument, regular drawing practice would help me paint my favourite subjects, citylife, people and places, with more ease. And I enjoy Plein Air painting, something I did a lot of when I first began this journey almost 50 years ago. I enjoy and admire fresh Plein Air work, loose and free.
My Art Practice:
I have a large collection of art books and magazines, many left over from my teaching days. I look through these resources using sticky notes to mark anything that might spark my interest. It might be colour, subject matter, the big shapes, interesting patterns or perspective. I likely spend too much "escape" time dreaming but somehow I become motivated to start a painting of my own. Finally I start the process of drawing and testing colours etc in one of my many sketch/workbooks. Sometimes I look through photos but my photos are not very good or inspirational. I would rather look out at the sky or go out watercolour painting for a start.
When I get an idea that interests me, I begin to think about the best way to express the spirit of this particular painting. Will the painting be large or small? What medium? Do I see the painting as a watercolour or fluid acrylic painting perhaps with ink drawing? Do I image big strong shapes with texture and thicker paint. Will it be gestural? Minimal? or more defined? Maybe because of this process, different paintings seem to have different styles? I am not sure. Finally when I actually get started, the plan changes as new ideas arise for me to consider. The painting often tells me what to do next. However, often I am not sure how to continue. Sometimes I am discouraged and want to abandon the whole thing. But I think some of my best paintings have come from putting a "failure" aside and looking at it days or weeks later. Now I can continue with less judgement. The painting might work or it might not. Then again it might become a different painting tomorrow or a year from now!
What I Miss (during this time of self-isolation):
I miss TOSH and TOSH 10 because I realize that a good part of my motivation for painting comes from talking art with my art friends and with the general public that visits our space. I have more of a reason to paint when I have a commitment and have a chance to share. But I am now rethinking why I paint. My studio has always been a place where "the world goes away" even when I was very busy with a young family and my job as a high school teacher. But I have always had a close group of fellow artists who regularly shared their works in progress. I have always participated in exhibitions where I have a chance to show and sell my work. Some time ago I sold my work through galleries. Whatever I earned went back into my art for supplies and for art adventures. Twice my art money has taken me to New York City with the Vancouver Island School of Art. I loved these trips to Manhattan and am sad now to see what is happening as NewYork struggles with the coronavirus.
Someday we will all be together again. In the meantime, as always, making art and sharing art is even more important than ever! Thanks to TOSH for bringing art and inspiration to our community and to our many visitors from around the world.