Featured Artist Ian Laws

Australian artist Ian Laws shares his abstract portfolio and a story of overcoming life challenges through making art. See more by visiting his website.

 

 

My artistic life began when I was very unwell with anxiety and OCD problems. Being given paper and paints was the best medicine I ever received. I can’t imagine my life without art now. It is as essential to me as breathing.

 

 

I found a way to put down on canvas and other media an expression of what it feels like to feel wrought with anxiety and compulsions. They make life very difficult to understand. Truly being a part of this led to me better understand myself and the world around me.

 

 

My artwork for the most part is an exploration of my own way of interpreting the world around me. I bring in nature and intricate design to nearly everything I do. I relate to leaves and flowers as they are such a beautiful expression of life.

 

 

The amazingly fine details always amaze me. When I look at or photograph a flower, they are resilient yet so sensitive. I feel a lot like this inside myself. Our world can be such a hard and difficult place if you are sensitive, so a flower gives such hope to me as it survives and thrives through the seasons. It also blooms magnificently, which is something that I admire and aspire to do in my own way.

 

 

My greatest hope with my art is that it brings happiness to others, however they wish to interpret or see it. This is something that I really enjoy. Seeing my own work through the eyes of others is always fascinating to me.

 

 

My art education did not begin until I was in my thirties. I was self-taught up until then, encouraged by people around me to apply at The Australian National University School of Art. I was amazed to be offered a place. My portfolio was mostly my handpainted clothes at the time. I was in the textile and painting program, which was wonderful for me. The best thing was learning to socialize again, as I had not been around other people outside of medical settings for some time.

 

 

I have had my work exhibited recently at the EuropArtFair in Amsterdam, and will be in the next Spotlight magazine through Circle Arts. I’ve done so much artwork, and this is a wonderful chance for me to let others see it.

 

Ian Laws invites you to follow on Facebook.

 

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