Featured Artist Lauri Fernandez

Artist Lauri Fernandez presents a collection of tranquil nature-inspired paintings that lift the spirit. See more of her portfolio by visiting her website.

 

 

My paintings are about the beauty, peace, and spiritual renewal found in the dynamic forces of nature. My work is influenced by my life experiences, my faith, and my deep connection to nature’s beauty and vitality.

 

 

Being an artist is a second career for me, but one I had always wanted to pursue. I loved to draw from a young age. I was greatly impacted by a life drawing class in high school, where I first discovered I could express myself through art. An introvert by nature, I was reluctant to outwardly share my thoughts and feelings. But when drawing faces and figures from life, that hesitancy disappeared. Exploring a loose gestural mark-making style gave me a freedom of expression that I found exciting.

 

 

When it came time to graduate, I felt pulled to make a more pragmatic decision about next steps. I chose to study interior design instead of studio art. I worked in interior design until I decided to pursue the very fulfilling role as a stay-at-home mom to my two daughters.

 

 

It wasn’t until they were both in college that I was able to reconnect with my artistic passion. At that point, I decided to go back to college to study fine art. My career in design had taught me technical drawing, perspective, and design principles. But it was through these art courses that I found the emotional connection missing from my previous work as a creative.

 

 

My art studies built upon my early drawing foundation and broadened my views of what was possible. Oil painting became my favorite medium. I loved discovering the variety of techniques I could achieve. I’m continually exploring different ways to express myself through painting.

 

 

I am naturally drawn to landscapes and nature-inspired subjects. My paintings, whether realistic or semi-abstract, are all influenced by nature. Nature has always provided a kind of nourishment for my soul, engaging all my senses. I grew up in Los Angeles, and having the ability to explore the many different natural environments of Southern California profoundly influenced my artistic and spiritual path. I feel at peace being in nature, and I strive to convey a feeling of serenity in my paintings.

 

 

My painting style is expressive and intuitive. I search to bring out the elements of the image that evoke the emotions I’m feeling by pushing and pulling, painting, and scratching until I achieve the balance I’m looking for. A combination of soft blended brushwork, textured palette knife scraping, and gestural lines and marks add to the movement and help bring the painting to life.

 

 

Through painting peaceful landscapes and expressive florals, I have found my purpose. It is a means of sharing not only my love of nature, but to convey what I believe to be the healing power it provides.

 

Lauri Fernandez invites you to follow her on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

 

 

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