Laurel Jensen Paul

Fine Art Oil Paintings

Please be patient while the images load.

Early in 2007, I decided to cut back on the time that I previously devoted to painting. This decision was made reluctantly as painting has been a very enjoyable creative outlet through the years.

The rationale for this decision has to do with the ever increasing costs of submitting art to national exhibitions (entry fees, shipping and handling costs, which are born solely by the artists). Increasing incidents of improper handling of my art by shippers and exhibitors also influenced my decision. I value my work too much to have it subjected to careless handling.

In July, 2004, I suffered a stroke (from which I am nearly recovered). Then in November of the same year, I fell and dislocated my right shoulder, which required many months of strenuous therapy before I could even consider painting once again. Exercising on my own for both these conditions will, of course, continue for the indefinite future.

While I shall be painting on a smaller scale, I will maintain these web pages - and will surely update them showing new work completed.

Laurel Jensen Paul

March 1, 2007

  "There are pictures that manifest education and there are pictures that manifest love."

                                                                                    - Robert Henry, 1865-1929

Tulip Time               16" x 38"               Oil

"Tulip Time" was accepted as a juried entry by the Red River Valley Museum, Vernon, Texas, in the "Red River Valley National Juried Art Exhibition." May 6 - June 30, 2005

"Tulip Time" was accepted as a juried entry by the Wayne Arts Center, Wayne, Pennsylvania, in their "2004 National Spring Open Juried Exhibition," April 3 -28, 2004

"Tulip Time" was accepted as a juried entry by the Jasper Arts Center, Jasper, Indiana, in their "10th Annual Juried Art Exhibition," September 3 - 28, 2003

Quiet Time        20" x 26"       Oil

Artist Statement

Art is a tradition in my family. As a child I was surrounded by relatives whose art was either their vocation or avocation.

Since I first began painting, I have shown a preference for doing works featuring people, especially members of my own family. I find that I am more interested and challenged when painting the people I care about - particularly as I strive to make these portraits radiate the sense of affection I feel for the subjects.

Although I do an occasional landscape or still life, I find portraits to be more challenging. I hope my portraits do more than simply capture a likeness. I strive to put on canvas some of the true character and soul of the subject without resorting to sentimentality. I want my work to reflect serenity, and joy in life and living.

Matthew II     27" X 36"    Oil

"Anticipation" was accepted by the Afif Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, in their National Juried Exhibition "LIGHT," held at the First Baptist Church of White Plains, White Plains, NY,  December 5, 2006 - January 5, 2007

"Anticipation" was accepted as a juried entry by the Breckenridge Fine Arts Center, Breckenridge, Texas, in their "14th Annual Juried Art Competition," held at their gallery, September 17 - October 14, 2005 and was awarded the Lester Clark Memorial Award (2nd Place)

"Anticipation" ("Matthew II") was accepted as a juried entry by the Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, Southhampton, New York, in their "108th Annual Open Juried Competition," held at The National Arts Club, New York, New York, October 2 - 29, 2004

"Anticipation" ("Matthew II") was accepted as a juried entry by the Artists of Northwest Arkansas/Arts Center of the Ozarks, Springdale, Arkansas, in their "Ninth Annual Fall Regional Art Exhibition," November 17, 2003 - January 5, 2004

"Anticipation" ("Matthew II") was accepted as a juried entry by the Cultural Arts Council of Douglasville/Douglas County, Douglasville, Georgia, in their "16th Annual Juried Fine Arts Show National Competition," November 1 - November 25, 2002

"Matthew II" was accepted as a juried entry by the Louisiana Art and Artists' Guild, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in their "32nd Annual River Road Show," November 4 - 30, 2001

"Matthew II" was accepted as a juried entry by the Fort Smith Art Center, Fort Smith, Arkansas, in their "51st Annual Art Competition," July 15 - August 26, 2001

Camping  28" x 36"   Oil

"Camping" was accepted as a juried entry by the Elk River Area Arts Alliance, Elk River, Minnesota, in their "Arts in Harmony '06", Eleventh Annual National Juried Show, at the Sherburne County Government Center, February 6 - March 24, 2006

"Camping" was accepted as a juried entry by the St. Louis Artists' Guild, St. Louis, Missouri, in the "Explorations In Oli And Acrylics" national exhibition, at their galleries, January 18 - March 6, 2004

"Camping" was accepted as a juried entry by the Englewood Cultural Arts Center Association, Englewood, Colorado, in their "Englewood Arts National Juried Art Show," at the Museum of Outdoor Arts, Englewood, February 15 - March 31, 2003

"Camping" was accepted as a juried entry by the Twin City Art Foundation/Masur Museum of Art, Monroe, Louisiana, in their "29th Annual Juried Competition," April 21 - June 8, 2002

Professional Memberships

Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club, Inc., New York, NY

National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington, DC

The American Artists Professional League, Inc., New York, New York

The Allied Artists of America, Inc., Union City, New Jersey

National Society of Artists, League City, Texas

Peoria Art Guild, Peoria, Illinois

Cousins II    22" x 22" Oil

"Cousins II" was accepted by the New Visions Gallery, Marshfield, Wisconsin, in their "The Mighty Midwest Biennial III" exhibition, at their gallery, December 4, 2005 - January 14, 2006

"Cousins II" was accepted by the Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts, Avon, Connecticut, in their "93rd Annual Exhibition," hosted by the Mystic Art Association, May 21 - July 10, 2004

"Cousins II" accepted by the Cody Country Art League, Cody, Wyoming, in their "37th ANNUAL ART SHOW," at the Paul Stock Center, July 1 - July 30, 2002, and awarded First Prize in the Professional Oil/Acrylic category

"Cousins II" was accepted as a juried entry by the Yeiser Art Center, Paducah, Kentucky, in their "Yeiser 2001: A Juried Exhibition of Contemporary Art," October 21 - November 24, 2001, and awarded a Merit Award

"Cousins II" was accepted as a juried entry, and was awarded an Honorable Mention, by the Illiana Artists, in the "Illiana Artists Juried Show" at the Chesterton Art Gallery, Chesterton, Indiana, January 16 - February 27, 2000.

Also visit my husband's family genealogy web site at:

www.herbpaul.com

Copyright © 1999-2007  by  Laurel Jensen Paul   All rights reserved

No part of these web pages may be reproduced, republished or retransmitted without the expressed written approval of Laurel Jensen Paul