Laura Loe Oil Paintings: More bio and Musings

I am a Shreveport, Louisiana, native, living and working in Richmond, Virginia.  I have been in Richmond, Virginia since 1991 and have been a professional oil painter since 1996. Life as a working artist has been shared with my husband, Will Loving, and my three children. It makes for a busy life to have so many things I care about and want to devote time towards but I woudn’t change a thing. Ok I would change some things! HAHA! Richmond is a town that loves art.  A decade teaching oil painting at the Virginia Museum Studio School and running and then buying the Nimrod Hall Artist Program located in Bath County, Virginia boosted my love of Virginians in general, and honestly rliving here has really has helped define my career as a working professional artist since 1997.  

I am an almost empty nester. I still have two boys in college but the freedom is mind blowing. Remaining a professional artist with 3 small kids, or kids of any age, was a struggle. But yet, also I felt like being an artist helped me be a better Mom. I mean except the meltdown days. HAHA! Having something I just considered non negotiable was my gift when I already had somewhat of a career before I started having children and I had the very good fortune to marry someone who believed in me. Right now I am feeling like I made it! I mean there are challenges but rain gin children and being an artist is a CHALLENGE. My hat is off to all the young Moms I see out there painting so hard with little ones as well as to the artists I see who had the courage to pick painting back up after those overwhelming years for whatever reason. But for me painting is what got me through.

I am a self described, exaggerated colorist, who paints both representational and abstractly.  I have learned to accept that the style of any painter is a little mysterious with a lot of faith being put toward just accepting what you are given and not try to paint things that feels anything less than comfortable to you. Ive never understood the whole idea of painting what doesn't feel natural but doing something “challenging” . Because it was all challenging to me. I was not a prodigy in skill only in absolute confidence that was unwarranted. II never set out to paint this particular way, I just do. I spent years wondering why I paint this way (I think that is human nature-if it comes naturally we better question it) but now I have embraced it more and question it less. Because, why not? I am the only one who can paint my paintings. For non artists I would compare it to getting old enough to simply accept you aren't getting any taller in this life, instead of looking in the mirror and wondering why you are so short. Move on. This is the way it is.

In other words: Accept it. . Getting older is not great in most ways but it definitely is as an artist. Experience matters with painters.

I showed in SO many shows with so many great gallery owners and literally in any outdoor show I could possibly do, but now I am only online. I am not a lover of shows. It takes me feel embarrassed and that makes no sense but the hot neck feeling of being in the spotlight was really important before because that was your only outlet to show your work. And now I just do it like this all online. The only regret I have is seeing art on a computer is not like seeing it in person because so much of what makes oil paintings so unique and amazing is the actual way the painting LOOKS on the surface. Paint handling. Paint pulls across the canvas or panel for the surface to become as much a player in the piece as the color or subject matter.  With my work online, if you like the image without seeing the actual piece, I feel good about how you feel about it when you see it. But I wish I could have it both ways. A show and only online. But for now I just sell here.

As far as AI goes, I think it is safe to say it is here and I do think everyone who is an artist should be very aware of it but also art buyers..Original art has always had a special category of its own and I don’t; think that will change. I think original art holds its value. You can make a print of it, but the original is the original, I am old so of course I think that, but I do. Never buy anything of mine that I have not at least signed. Or from anyone else for that matter (uh oh going into Mom mode) .

For a look at my resume of shows, awards, and that kind of thing please see my Art CV.