|
Surfacing
Lauren Thiem is a contemporary abstract painter living in Meridian, Idaho. Inspiration comes from both the natural and human-made world, from beloved beaches in Maine to gritty urban environments to the suburban neighborhood she now lives in. Her attention to surface, as well as her sense that she is finally coming up for air after moving to Idaho 5 years ago lend themselves to the name of this show, “Surfacing.” Using a limited pallet of oil paint and cold wax, Lauren creates many layered, complex surfaces of actual and suggested texture. Artist Statement In my paintings I explore the interplay between my desire to be seen, known, exposed and the corresponding desire to be hidden, private, and protected. Painting gives me a place to wrestle with my desire for perfection and control. I strive to be honest and fearless and sometimes that is hard. I want to be taken seriously, as a painter, as a person, and to push myself to do hard things. I am drawn to the darker beauty of nature…the starkness of late fall, the simplicity of a winter landscape, the coastline when conditions are bleak and the sun has no warmth. Sometimes I’m afraid to make dark paintings where someone might ask, “Where’s the sunshine?” I work in both oil & cold wax and acrylic paint. Each painting has many layers and most often I wind up with too much information on the surface of the painting and have to be a ruthless editor. My best work happens when I’m willing to risk it all and parts of the painting that don’t serve the whole have to go. I get the paint on the canvas or board with brushes, pallet knives, string, paper towels or whatever is within arm’s reach that will achieve the effect I’m after. https://www.laurenthiem.com/ |
