Artist Statement Reprise

During my last show at the restaurant, many patrons asked me to explain my paintings while I was on the job. As a visual artist, it is always hard to come up with words to go along with the visual element, and even more difficult when you're on the spot and table 9 wants to order and I have six cocktails to make.... When I have my wits about me and I can channel all that they taught us in art school, I usually say something along these lines:

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Artists Statement

by Lauren Aldrich

As humans, our eyes and minds are open wide, intricately wired to pick up and assimilate all that we see. We subconsciously collect and combine images in our memory banks, and each combination is accompanied by other points of reference. These reference points boil down to emotions and memories born from our personal trajectory through life, manifested in the form of color and shape.

The concept of anthropomorphism pervades my work. I find it fascinating that as humans, we perceive our ability to reason and feel as being so pervasive and omnipotent that we impose it on any other object or living thing we encounter, almost automatically. Put a couple eyes on just about anything, and suddenly we will interpret the object as having feelings and intentions.

As an artist, I get to play around with all of the infinite visual elements that surround us and juxtapose them against each other. This gives the viewer (and myself) particular reference points which trigger something deep in our visual memory banks and bring forth particular groups of emotions.

Most commonly I use a sort of formula including a small character with eyes depicted in a dreamlike scenario made up of a landscape, trees, pathways, a wild sky, clouds, stars, sun, etc. all painted in improbable, striking color schemes.

As you view the various scenes that I have created, let the images inspire a personal significance and storyline. Many stem from my own life experiences or emotions, but there is a unique meaning to be attained by each individual.

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So there it is! It's been a long time since I posted this, so I thought a little reminder would be helpful. Please share with me what you think of my statement. I'm curious if it makes sense to anyone else, or if it seems like it fits my work. Thank you!

First Painting of 2011 is Finished!

There simply aren't words for how much fun I had making this piece. Super happy fun time! I know now more than ever that I have a purpose: to make surreal scenes with vivid colors, landscapes, trees, crazy skies and, of course, little dudes. Seems so cut and dried when I type it out like that, almost juvenile, but it is easy for me to forget such a thing as what exactly it is that I like to do with my time and life. Anyway, I feel like I've come home. Better just show the painting now...

(click to enlarge)

"Astral Aspiration"

oil paint on canvas

2.5' x 3'

This may be a common phenomenon for artists of all kinds, but having just created this painting, I feel that it is my favorite piece EVER! Anyone else notice that? Just means I'm even more excited to make a newER one!

Loose ends and new beginnings

The year is off to a great start in my studio! I haven't felt this fired up about making art in many years, truly. It's exhilarating! Having completed one large painting depicting a surreal scene (see previous post), I am chomping at the bit to begin the next one, but first I am going to finish up a few smaller paintings that have been laying around for a while. Here are the two I finished up today:

"Sweet Snarl"

oil paint on canvas

20" x 20"

$75

"Trunk Terrain"

17" x 20"

oil paint on wood panel

$75

It's time to stretch a new large canvas now, but in the meantime I purchased some cheap, small canvases on sale at the art store, on which I plan to explore ideas of color, pattern and of course, little dudes. It will be fun to make mini-paintings that I can create quickly, and to have artwork for sale to fit a mini-budget. Here are a few I prepped yesterday:

All ready to go!

Progress: The first painting of the year

In addition to building the frame for a new piece this weekend, I set boldly forth and dove head first into a brand new painting over a canvas I had stretched previously. Here are some photos of Phase One:

Photo taken by Paul Carlson during a visit to my studio. It's a fresh canvas and a clean new palette. Exciting!

This photo isn't all that great because I took it with my cell phone's camera, but you get the idea: sky, clouds, more sky, hills and a path. Soon to come: trees, ladders, a little dude, a shooting star, and more details and texture and layers.

I'll post some pics of Phase Two next week, LIVE from Lauren's studio!

( photo by Paul Carlson)

'Tis the season for celebration!

The last day of 2010 was also the last day of my art show at Chiso, and what a day it was! One more painting was purchased, bringing my sales to a total of 7 paintings during this show alone! I kind of can't believe it; it's a pretty special feeling to have had so many people like me work enough to pay me for it and hang it in their homes. Thank you to all who purchased and to all who showed appreciation and support. I feel absolutely rejuvenated and ready to pump out new work in this new year. I am overflowing with inspiration, and I already have a new canvas primed and ready to go, so definitely stay tuned. I will try to be better about posting pics of new work on a more regular basis. No future shows lined up at the moment, but then again I don't have a lot of work left to show! Time to get to work.... Happy New Year to all! Thanks again!

New Paintings

Here is a long-overdue look at some of the new paintings I have created in 2010. Most of them are still available for purchase. Please email me with any inquiries: info@laurenaldrich.com

These pieces are all available to purchase as prints, as well. Many of my paintings are quite large, so if you're limited on wall space, or you're not ready to shell out for an original piece, you're a great candidate for a print. And not to sound cliche, but a framed print would make a great holiday gift... Contact me if you're interested!

"A Spirited Ascent"

oil paint on canvas

(sold)

"A Helping Hand"

oil paint on canvas

(sold)

"Boo!"

oil paint on canvas

(sold)

"Trichotomous Impulse"

(collaboration with Aaron Brick)

mixed media on wood panel

(mediums include spray paint, handmade

paper, burlap, nails, plasic and wood pieces,

wire, lawnchair fabric, oil pastels)

"Doppelganger Dunes"

oil paint on canvas

(Sold)

"Quietly We Go"

oil paint on canvas

"Ma Mere La Mer"

oil paint on canvas

"Leap"

oil paint on wood panel

(sold)

"Reach"

oil paint on wood panel

(sold)

"Face Face II"

oil paint on canvas

(sold)

Stay tuned for many more paintings in the new year!

New Paintings to be hung at Chiso, October 2nd

After another long hiatus on my blog, I am here now to announce my upcoming show at Chiso Restaurant in Fremont. I will be hanging the show on October 2nd and my work will be displayed for two months, so there's plenty of time for you to check it out. Since my last show I have produced a new series of paintings that haven't seen the light of day outside of my studio, so I am very excited to show them off!

Chiso is open for lunch Monday-Friday from 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, and for dinner 7 days a week from 4:00pm - 10:00pm (11:00 on Fridays and Saturdays). I hope you can make it! Oh, and Chiso is also known for it's extraordinary Japanese cuisine and sushi. I work at Chiso, so I am there for dinner Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and for lunch on Thursdays. Please come say 'hi' and tell me what you think of my new work!

Chiso Restaurant

3520 Fremont Avenue North

Seattle, WA 98103

(206) 632-3430

Live Painting at Chop Suey 3/31/10

That's right folks, I'm going to be painting before a live audience during a funk/hip-hop show at Chop Suey on Wednesday, March 31st, starting around probably 10:00 pm or so. My friends Irukandji* will be headlining, and before their set a group called Down North** will be performing. I've never done anything like this before and I'm very excited. In preparation, I've done a few practice sessions in my studio during which I began with a blank canvas and tried to "finish" a piece within 90 minutes, which is the length of Irukandji's set. Down North has also agreed to let me paint during their set, so now it looks like I'll have even more time, which will lead to an even more AWESOME painting! I haven't done much painting lately, so these practice sessions have completely rekindled my passion for painting. Yay!

I'd be thrilled if you could make it to the show!! Come enjoy the music and cheer me on!

Chop Suey

1325 E Madison St

Seattle, WA 98122

$7 / 8 pm doors / 21+

*IRUKANDJI - Nine-piece Hip Hop, Soul, Trip Hop, Funk Fusion live band hailing from Seattle, WA. With infectious melodies and in-your-face, brazen lyrics, whole communities have been left stunned and unable to resist dancing all night long.

**Down North - Down North is an alternative-funk band from Seattle that shapes the dancefloor with funky beats and slammin' vocals. Down North is fronted by explosive singer Anthony Briscoe, claiming influence from artists such as Prince, Michael Jackson and James Brown. The rhythm section of Brandon Storms, Bass, Tony Demuri, Drums, and Scott Smith, Keys throws down infectious pop melodies over solid funky rhythms for an unforgettable night of dancing.

A new workshop and a return to mixed media

The house I rent has this huge unfinished basement that I finally reorganized, cleaned up and transformed into the workspace of my dreams, despite the moderate flooding during downpours, the plethora of cobwebs, and the lack of heat. I'm in love. It's absolutely fabulous. I can hardly believe it. I have all my tools and supplies out and ready to go, there's an abundance of counter space, plenty of light and I can make any kind of mess I want.

This means I can finally return to the style of making 3D mixed media pieces with found objects on cupboard doors that I had enjoyed so much in the last mess-friendly workspace I had, three whole years ago. I'm in heaven. I foresee an outpouring of new works.

Here is a photo of the first piece I have completed in my new space:

Materials include a beat-up cupboard door, leather from some old boots, worn denim, burlap, paper bag, driftwood, moss, lichen, abalone shell, plastic figurine, bird-shaped clay, toy truck, and rusty nails. Here are a couple shots that describe the preliminary stages I go through to create a piece like this:

Over the years I have collected all kinds of little doodads, little objects that other people might consider trash, and anything at all that I might be able to manipulate to create a 3D "collage." I sort them into categories by color, size, material, etc. and then play around with them in different combinations in hopes of generating new ideas. The following photos do not represent anything even close to a final composition, but I like to photo-document everything anyway:

Stay tuned for more! If I can tear myself away from my basement to make blog posts, that is.

Last Minute Art Show Announcement!

This past month I have been showing some of my oil and mixed media paintings at Faire Gallery & Cafe/Bar on Capitol Hill in Seattle. I regret that I have not posted an announcement of the show earlier, but it's never too late, right?

It just so happens that tomorrow night, Saturday the 13th of February, Faire will be hosting a Show Finale party to celebrate the show (rather unorthodox I know... usually there's an opening party). If you get this in time, please come down to enjoy the music and art. There will be a live performance by Seattle's one-man experimental-electro-psych-rock group Airport, as well as a live DJ. Airport will go on at 9:00 pm, and it's a show that's not to be missed. Faire serves cocktails, wine and coffee, so don your party duds and come have a drink with me! 8pm-12am

Faire Gallery & Cafe

1352 East Olive Way

Seattle, WA 98122

http://www.fairegallerycafe.com/

Breaking the Silence

Wow, it's nearly been a year since my last post. You may wonder how on earth that happened. Well, unfortunately I let a some very rude comments left by an anonymous blog-viewer get to me, so much so that I nearly took down my blog all together, but instead I guess I just stayed away from it. I'm over it now, and I'm ready to get down to business again. You'll notice I don't allow anonymous comments anymore. How silly to leave a vicious, hurtful comment without even having the guts to identify oneself... Nonetheless, I decided I'd rather not risk it again. Ah, the interweb...

It's been a good year. I've sold several paintings, and I have currently have another show (see next post). I even got to go to Paris to visit my sister who was studying architecture there for a semester. The trip was very inspiring to say the least. I hit up all the museums and drank in the beauty of the city. Here are some photos:

The Louvre

The Musee d'Orsay (my favorite)

Centre Pompidou

View from Pompidou escalator

Notre Dame Cathedral

Food and Beverage!!

And quality time with Annie

Lastly, I have some photos of new paintings from the last year which I promise to upload soon!

Art Show at Chiso

My wonderful boss at the restaurant where I work offered me the opportunity to hang my paintings on the walls, so I brought 5 of my favorite pieces to Fremont and installed them in the entryway of Chiso, a delectible Japanese restaurant. They truly look wonderful with the color of the walls and decor of the place, and the spotlights make them glow. I would love it if you'd make a trip down to see my mini-art show, and perhaps snack on some sushi or sip some sake while you're at it.

Chiso Restaurant is located on the corner of Fremont Ave N and N 36th St in Fremont (Seattle), directly across the street from The Dubliner and kitty-corner from Dad Watsons. We're open for dinner 7 nights a week and for lunch Monday-Friday. Call (206) 632-3430 or visit http://www.chisoseattle.com/ for hours of operation or more information.