“Fleur 11” by Laura Welshans, oil on canvas.
A self-described minimalist, Little Rock artist Laura Welshans is “inspired by the visual world with a focus on the simple silhouette of the object,” with the ultimate goal of portraying “how the organic nature of the Earth and the human-made world coexist through color and shape.”
In reflecting on her above piece, here’s what Welshans had to say:
“‘Fleur 11’ is part of the Beauty in the Bloom series. It’s about not only the beauty of the flower, but also the beauty in the rebirth of spring within the landscape. The kind of flowers represented in the vases is left up to the viewer: tulips, poppies, daisies or their favorite flower.
“My inspiration comes from a love of gardening and the excitement I feel when I see the beautiful colors and life burst into the world. In documenting on canvas, I am able to preserve the blooms forever.
“Through the use of intentional color and a reduction to the most important shapes, I’m able to impart literal translations. I want the viewer’s brain to decipher the subject and explore the relationship of color, light and space.”
ARTIST BIO:
Welshans has exhibited within numerous juried group shows including the 61st Delta Exhibition of the Arkansas Arts Center (now the Arkansas Museum of Fine Art), Mena Art Gallery and the Arkansas League of Artists Exhibition. Her solo shows include ASU-Mountain Home Gallery, Argenta Branch Library, Community Bakery and the Arts Center of the Grand Prairie in her hometown of Stuttgart, Arkansas.
Welshans’ paintings are included in a collection at The Haywood Hotel in El Dorado, Arkansas, and CARTI in North Little Rock. Her paintings have won several abstract awards.
Born in the St. Louis metro area, Welshans currently resides in Little Rock with her husband and two cats who serve as her muses.
See more of her work at laurawelshans.com, on Instagram at @laurawelshans or by appointment at her studio in Tanglewood Shopping Center.