Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Latimer.
Laura, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
My path to making art hasn’t been straight-forward. I grew up in the rural plains of Texas in a strict patriarchal family. I was supposed to go to college to become a computer programmer. After two less-than-stellar semesters, I changed majors to Photo-communications, an area of study more in line with my interests. A favorite photo subject was anything abandoned or overgrown. I was drawn to the textures of decay as nature reclaimed her ground. My first job was composing ad layouts, which led to an unanticipated digital publishing career. While I appreciated the creative potential of design software, I wanted more artistic freedom to explore. So, I enrolled in art classes thinking to build a portfolio for grad school application. What I discovered was a camaraderie that I’d never known, and by 2005, I had completed a BFA in sculpture. Soon after, I was approached by two fellow graduates about possible collaboration. We organized an artist collective, and over the next couple of years, co-curated a variety of pop-up and gallery hosted exhibitions. When they moved on to grad school, I looked again to the corporate world. I had found balancing family needs and creative time to be a constant challenge. When my last employer was acquired, making my position redundant, I took my chance to return to the studio. Since 2012, I’ve been dedicated to a full-time art practice focused on sculpture and large-scale installation work.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
Since those earliest photo days, I keep returning to ideas of nature’s resurgence as well as human impact on ecosystems and future evolution. Are the things that we’re doing to the planet going to wipe out life as we know it or will it survive us in some altered form? With my varied background, I’m comfortable working across multiple media and techniques. I’ve created paintings based on land patterns captured only by aerial photos, sculptures referencing man-made landmarks, and installations that mimic layers of erosion. Having seen corporate waste first-hand, I collected product packaging to construct early installations. More recently, I’ve started using salvaged materials such as shredded cotton insulation, used plastic pipe, and electronics wiring. These commonplace items stand in for the plant, animal, and mineral resources over-exploited for our constant need of new. My intent is to create contemplative artworks while setting an example of artistic, environmental stewardship.
Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
Keep at it, despite the creative droughts, lack of likes, rejection letters, failed outcomes and limited sales. We all go through these along the way to any kind of success. Make work, every day, even for five minutes. Send in the application. Enter the next exhibition. Think about what you’re making, and talk to people. No one can know your work if you don’t tell them. There is no magic answer to the challenges of a creative career. Remember your art is for you first, and find a life balance that feels right to you. I could say I regret not starting earlier. The truth is that it took time to figure things out. There are so many folks who’ve supported me in ways I didn’t recognize at the time, and for them as much as for myself, I intend to make the most of the opportunities in front of me now.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
It’s an exciting time for me with two exhibitions coming up soon. I’m currently working on new sculpture and installations for Niche Construction, an exhibition opening Thursday, May 23 and on display through June 22 at Dimension Gallery in Austin. It is my first solo show as one of six 2019/2020 Fellowship Artists to be showcased in the space. https://
Check the galleries’ websites and social media posts for updates on exhibition details and additional programming. To anyone interested in supporting the arts, I recommend attending these types of events to meet artists, learn about the care and time that goes into creating original works, and finally, become a collector/patron of your favorite art or artist. For more about my work, you can find galleries of past 2D/3D works as well as upcoming event details and contact information at http://www.lauralatimer.com/.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lauralatimer.com
- Email: info@lauralatimer.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauralatimerart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauralatimerart
Image Credit:
Artist photo by Kelsey Hockmuller.
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