Local artist Art Laurenson had three works of art in the BUZZ 2024 exhibition showing at the Jasper Art Gallery. Art’s passion for creative endeavours dates back to his youth when he took an interest in drawing. During his post secondary years, he studied Architecture Technology at NAIT in Edmonton and Architecture at the University of Carlton in Ottawa. During that time, he took life drawing classes and participated in model building.
Professionally, Laurenson worked for Parks Canada Warden Service. He remembers being stationed at Maligne Lake In the mid-seventies and eighties. He laughed, saying in those days, there was no phone, no internet, just nature and the duties we had to perform. Between his two stints living in Jasper, he was stationed in Banff as part of the Parks Service.
As an artist, his early works were created in acrylic, depicting images that he had seen with Parks Service or during his travels in various countries throughout the world. He described his painting as realism landscapes painting scenes from photographs he has taken, mixed with memories of his visits to those impressionable places. When asked if his service as a warden has influenced his art, he replied, “Not specifically, but I manage to incorporate animals into my paintings, grizzlies, black bears, birds and periodically, horses and cows. Part of his motivation is based on “I wonder if”. Art once saw an image of a raven flying over a very still lake, its spread wings reflecting perfectly the oily iridescence of the feathers on the still waters. “I wonder if I can create that scene”, he thought, and then set about finding a way to mix paints and media to create the image.
Currently, Art’s focus has been creating works from resin and glass. He attributes this inspiration to Lydia Edwards who has his work on display at Fiddle Creek Restaurant. About 12 to 18 months ago, he began experimenting with art resins and old window frames. He has a knack for inserting salvaged and recycled items into his work creating provocative and exciting works of art.
Working in this medium is an interesting challenge. Laurenson says he already has titles for another 12 pieces and now, it is a matter of allowing his creative side the freedom to create them.
