The Curse 48”x24” w/Floating wood frame
“The curse ruled from the underground down by the shore
And their hope grew with a hunger to live unlike before.”
-from Agnes Obel’s song the Curse
I had been trying to configure a composition that had the subject teetering, a little like the Ghost of Christmas Present was drawn in A Christmas Carol. And I wanted to get a bunch of material possessions all precariously stacked on top of each other. All of the items here were in my studio but I didn’t have any voodoo dolls which I thought would help the mood. I found this online and was taken aback when I was asked if I wanted black or white pins depending on good or ill. Yikes! I just wanted to paint them - not formulate a curse. Sometimes I don’t fully understand why I am compelled to paint some subjects and this painting has brought about other meanings for the viewer that I hate to trample on.
‘Spectator’ 24” x 32” oil on canvas and beautifully framed
Ariadne’s Thread oil on board - 32” x 32” with Masterworks Frame.
Ariadne (pictured here) lived on Crete. She helped Theseus outwit the Minotaur(symbolized in pendant that Ariadne is wearing) who lived in a labyrinth (you can see a maze/labyrinth behind Ariadne) that Daedelus made. Everyone who went into the labyrinth were unable to navigate it and became the Minotaur’s dinner. After King Aegeus of Athens lost to King Minos they were made to send sacrifices to Crete’s Minotaur. King Aegeus sent his Son Theseus to Crete to stop sacrifices.There he charmed Ariadne so she helped him find his way out of the maze with Red thread (the red twine that is being held by - Ariadne and intertwined in the umbrella) which has come to symbolize logic. Theseus killed the Minotaur and got out of the maze. He was supposed to change his sails from black to white so his father, King Aegeus would know that everything went well. He forgot to change his sails(black and white umbrella) on the way and his father lamenting Theseus’ failure then threw himself into the sea, now known as the Aegean Sea.
The ARC Salon’s (2018-2019) 13th International Competition; Ariadne’s Thread was selected as a finalist and was one of 75 works that were invited for the traveling ARC Salon. Starting the tour at the Salmagundi Club in New York City, then to Sotheby’s, Los Angeles, and then the MEAM Museum in Barcelona, Spain.
Sirens oil on board 18” x 24”
Arcana
oil on canvas - 38”x48” w/framed - 2016
“Arcana” Oil on canvas 30” x 40” without Frame
Meaning hidden knowledge or ancient truths or specialized knowledge or details unknown to the average person. What ancient and secret knowledge are these two mystics looking for? Memento Mori elements with the peacock feather-like an all-seeing eye.
The Reckoning (of Venus and Mars) 52” x 68” with framing Winner of the 37th Michigan Fine Art Competition Hosted by: Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center
While married to Vulcan, Venus had an affair with Mars (the god of war) which lasted a long while. It looks as though Mars was working out a military maneuver on the chess board, Venus is upset that he was ignoring her. On Mars side we see the chess board with a Venus of Willendorf. It looks like someone has thrown a knife in his direction as seen in the wine glass he is holding. The wallpaper in the background is of the Venus Flytrap and a “real fly” has landed precariously close to the Flytrap. On the Venus side the wallpaper continues and we see that Venus doesn’t look too happy. Her hair is a bit disheveled and her face is stern. She is clutching a butcher knife which we hope is just for cutting the cake in the foreground. The cake has strawberries, symbolic of Love. Next to the cake are raw oysters - an aphrodisiac and symbolic because Venus was born of the sea. This painting borrows from Norman Rockwell’s Freedom From Want as well as a nod to Grant Wood’s American Gothic.
‘1918” paying homage to the Spanish Flu that occurred a little over one hundred years ago. Painting 12” x 9” Oil on board, with frame 16” x 13”
Ancestors welcome’s you to the other side? Oil on board, 30” x 40” with frame 35” x 45”
Cautionary Tales 18” x 24” oil on board with frame 22” x 28”
Becoming - oil on panel 20” x 16” Vintage Art nouveau frame
(SOLD) The Celtic Fire Goddess, Breo-Saighit or Brighid who was later St Brighid to the Christians. She was the Flame of Ireland. Legend says that when She was born, a tower of flame reaching from the top of her head to the heavens. Her birth, which took place at sunrise, is rumored to have given the family house the appearance of being on fire.
(SOLD) Mesopotamia is the “Cradle of Civilization” Wouldn’t it be wonderful to explore the region between the two rivers; the Euphrates and the Tigris and ponder the artifacts. The Scarab represents rebirth.
(Metal print 16”x20” also available ready to hang, no frame necessary). see metal prints for availability
‘Flora’ (Oil on board with frame 29” x 26”) Here represents the delicate ecosystem of which we are all apart. The butterflies are the metaphor for resurrection, hope, change, and a quasi vanitas that life is fleeting.
Atonement
(SOLD) 40"x30" oil on canvas 2016 ( Sold )
Vardøger
Oil on Aluminum panel. 26”x26” with black wood frame - 2016
A very delightful scene unfolds here; We find two ladies in matching pink satin and tulle ballerina dresses. The feathered mask lady rests a white schooner atop the Marie Antoinette wig wearer’s white wig. Two goldfish represent the two ladies, a nod to a certain Pre-Raphaelite painter. The stylized octopi wallpaper leads to the balcony overlooking their view of the Sea with a playful waterspout in the background. Artist’s signature “L” is in the fishbowl.
(Sorry Sold)“Flightless Bird” (Oil on gold leaf 29”x 26” with frame) Inspired by Iron and Wine’s Flightless Bird about lost innocence and after the mythical American dream has faded, a bit like old magazines. Flightless because she’s too weighed down by disillusionment. The Northern Flicker peeks out from a circular wreath of greens symbolizing spiritual, emotional, and creative change.
The Drowsy Hour
Oil on panel with Antique gold colored frame - 43”x24” - 2015
Mildly influenced by the Keats poem; this lady stands in a lush countryside. She holds a red umbrella whilst the flowers and insects seem lazily suspended around her. Artist’s signature “L” right lower corner.
Trapped Inside the Wind
Based on the poem Enigmas by Pablo Neruda
48"x30" oil on canvas 2016<a href="https://www.artfinder.com/laura-atkins">artfinder.com/laura-atkins</a>
Best Intentions
25”x25" framed - oil on canvas - 2015 ( Sold )
All Apologies Oil on canvas - 26”x 26” -Biltmore frame -
Feelings of not being enough due to other’s expectations and certainly inspired by Kurt Cobain’s song of the same name is sort of an apology, kinda. This is the first time I painted a model holding the infamous “Creepy Doll”. Which one is apologizing? that may be the irony. The mise-en-scene here takes some imagery from the lyrics.
The Girl in a Red Dress - oil on canvas 22" x 38" with ornate frame
It was channeling the Fragonard atmosphere as well as ViGée LeBrun’s Marie Antoinette paintings. This was a fun painting and I got to paint some pink Lady Slipper flowers - 18’
