Laurel Jensen Paul

"Art is more than a mere chronicle. It must mirror the intellect and the emotion, for anyone, even a commercial artist or illustrator, can portray realism."

                                                                                                    - Arshile Gorky. 1914-1948

Best Friends    18"x24"    Oil

"Best Friends" was accepted as a juried entry by the North Valley Art League, Redding, CA, in their "23rd Annual National Show," at their gallery, January 23, 2006 - March 3, 2007

"Best Friends" was accepted as a juried entry by the Art Guild of Burlington, Burlington, Iowa, in their "Jane T. Walsh Juried Show," at their gallery, July 17 - August 28, 2005

"Best Friends" was accepted as a juried entry by the Artists of Northwest Arkansas, Springdale, Arkansas, in their "Tenth Annual Fall Regional Art Exbition," at the Arts Center of the Ozarks, Springdale, Arkansas, November 12, 2004 - January 6, 2005

"Best Friends" was accepted as a juried entry by the American Artists Professional League, New York, New York, in their "75th Grand National Exhibition 2003," at the Salmagundi Club, New York, New York, November 4 - 14, 2003

Critical Reviews

Nancy C. Gardner, Art Consultant, who curated “Women in the Visual Arts,” at the University of Illinois’ Allerton House, Monticello, Illinois, February – March, 2001: “Laurel Jensen Paul’s painting titled, “Carolyn,” captures the beauty and innocence of a young girl, her daughter who is now a grown woman with her own child. Family members are the preference for this artist, but she does not focus on the sentimental, but  rather presents an affectionate and joyous interpretation. Carolyn is contemplative, unaware of the artist or the viewer, which can be the nature of young children secure in their surroundings. We observe the rich play of the many colors in her hair, flesh and dress. The artist’s elegant use of paint blends into an organic whole. The “art” is just as significant to this artist as is the subject. This particular painting has been shown in three major national juried exhibitions.”

The Kentucky Advocate, Danville, Kentucky, February 11, 2001, by Jenny Watkins - "An artist who sets out to paint a portrait tackles a daunting task. There is, perhaps, no more infinite a subject on which to focus one's artistic attention than the human form. A lifetime could be spent trying to capture a few of the facial expressions, gestures and contortions that define a single person's everyday repertoire. Add to this the variety of humanity itself it should then come as no surprise that the current exhibit at Gallery on the Square, The Face and the Figure, was flooded with entries. Bonding, by Laurel Jensen Paul, a painting reminiscent of the work of Mary Cassatt,  depicts a man, likely blue-collared, embracing his young baby, and features lively brush work and color in contrast to the quiet scene."

Mr. C. Hill, M.A., professional educator and artist, New York, NY, the Juror of Awards at the Association of Artists and Craftsmen of Porter County, Indiana, Illiana Artists 6th Annual Juried Exhibition “2001: A Visual Odyssey,” at the Chesterton Art Gallery, Chesterton, Indiana, January 21 – February 28, 2001, Best of Show Award awarded to "Cousins III": "A beautiful textured painting that captures part of the nature of childhood and family relationships. Has many components with which to draw an emotional response from the viewer. Affecting, real, at once both personal and universal."

The Peoria Journal Star, Peoria, Illinois, July 13, 1980, by Jerry Klein - "Laurel Paul's fascinating 'Family Picnic' is a real eye-catcher that somehow invites repeated inspection."

The Peoria Journal Star, Peoria, Illinois, March 24, 1974, by Jerry Klein - 'Portraits of Carolyn,' an exhibition of oil paintings by Laurel Paul, opens today at the Linda Pyle Art Studio. All but one of the works are portraits, the exception being a still life of flowers. Technically superb, but even more so is the sense of affection her portraits radiate. They have been done over a four-year period and depict with an inner radiance the experience of a girl growing up. Her work is a blend of realism and impressionism with colors somewhat reminiscent of Renoir's family portraits, done for the most part against flowers and outdoor scenes. The statement is personal, the effect universal."

The Second Day         20" x 30"         Oil

"The Second Day" was accepted as a juried entry by the Upstream People Gallery, Omaha, Nebraska, in their "1st Annual Motherhood International Juried Art Exhibition," at their gallery, December 4 - 26, 2002

"The Second Day" was one of fifty pieces (out of a total of 1,200 submissions) juried into the exhibition "Illinois Women Artists: The New Millennium," sponsored by the Illinois Committee for the National Museum of Women in the Arts, at the Illinois Art Gallery/Illinois State Museum, Chicago, April 1999 - October 2001

After its Chicago venue, the exhibit was at Washington, DC, at the National Museum of Women in the Arts.

The exhibit then began a two-year tour of Illinois with venues at the Lakeview Museum in Peoria; Southern Illinois Art Gallery at Rend Lake; Illinois State University, Normal; the Illinois State Museum, Springfield; the Rockford Art Gallery; Parkland Art Gallery, Champaign; and the Quincy Art Center.

Kathryn and Mishka      30" x 36"     Oil

"Kathryn and Mishka" was accepted by the Elk River Arts Alliance, Elk River, MN, in their Twelfth Annual National Juried Art Show "Arts in Harmony." at the Handke Family Center, Elk River, MN,  February 5 - March 30, 2007

"Kathryn and Mishka" was accepted as a juried entry by the Midland Arts Association, Midland, Texas, in their "2005 Spring Juried Art Exhibition," at the Museum of the Southwest, Midland, Texas, March 3 - April 3, 2005

"Kathryn and Mishka" was accepted as a juried entry by the Breckenridge Fine Art Center, Breckenridge, Texas, in their "12th Annual Juried Show - 2003 Art Competition," at their gallery, September 9 - October 17, 2003

Stained Glass

From 1986 to 1996, my main artistic focus was working in stained glass. I produced nine stained glass windows and approximately 35 reproductions of Tiffany stained glass lamps. My sense of color, developed from painting, was a major asset in selecting colors for the stained glass works. While I enjoyed working in stained glass, I have now returned to my first love, that of painting.

Wisteria (containing 2,400 small glass pieces), Peony and Dogwood

Contact

Laurel Jensen Paul

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