Laura Easey-Jones:
I graduated from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California with a B.A. in Studio Arts in 1998. Before that I studied at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and majored in art, theatre and voice. In Los Angeles I also studied with painter Mario Rueda. Mr. Rueda was a descendent of the John Singer Sargent School. I attribute my years of study with him for my ability to “look more and paint less”, and to find the planes and shapes in a solid mass. I also studied sculpture at Santa Monica College in Los Angeles and today work in mediums of painting and sculpture.

After fourteen years in Los Angeles, my family drew me back to Milwaukee in 1998. I worked at the Modjeska Theatre as a scenic artist from 1999 to 2007. My painting, sculpture and theatre background was necessary for executing the beautiful set designs of Stewart Johnson. A very generous artist, Mr. Johnson slowed me to design parts of the sets used in some productions an to take time off to pursue my own painting.

Some of my work includes murals from Los Angeles to Milwaukee, including Ingrilli’s restaurant in Franklin and Georgie Porgie’s in Oak Creek and Racine. The Italian Community Center commissioned me to paint four figures from the Sistine Chapel on 9 foot panels that were installed in 2005. “Rachel” a life-sized bronze sculpture, is displayed at the Elaine Erickson Gallery in Milwaukee. In 2004 my steel and stone piece, “Potential” was featured at the Wisconsin Lutheran College campus in an outdoor show called Wisconsin Presents.

The series of paintings on wood panels, displayed here at the Katie Gingrass Gallery, was inspired by the Dutch painters in the 17th Century who painted still lives of flowers, fruit and slaughtered animals to illustrate the passing of all earthly pleasures. The Vanitas also adhered to a painting style that incorporated layers of glaze between the layers of paint, adding depth. This intrigued me more than the subject matter, so I began my own series of oil and acrylic on 4”by 8” birch panels. I chose birch tops for its exceptionally smooth surface, and pine for the sides. I use flowers and fruit for my subject matter as a nod to the Dutch painters. My excitement in painting this series comes from involving the viewer in the color and movement that makes a floral still life come alive.

Lily - oil on panel, 6 x 8 inches
Bonfire - oil on panel, 6 x 8 inches