Laura Bonner

Persistence

12 x 12"

Acrylic, Found Objects, Trash, Studio Detritus, Upcycled Frame and Canvas

$275

This fish is swimming in his river of trash as a call for us to keep the waters clean. The fish: plastic bag, Hawaiian lei, rubberbands, polyfill, beads. The canvas: upcycled decor store canvas and frame, beads, trash, gold leaf, acrylic paint and gloss medium.

Artist Statement:

My cityscapes, landscapes, and riverscapes, with their loose lines, bent rules, and bold color, are promises to remember the moment of being enveloped by a sense of place.

I use paint markers and scrawls to reference graffiti tags and storybook illustrations, drawing on top of the paint. My favorite colors to work in—bright pinks and aqua blues––are colors that speak of light and the exuberance of being. Once I’ve sketched out basic objects to spark recognition, I leave my reference photo and wander lost in what happens with the paint itself—edges, contrast, texture, movement. A story unfolds.

The narrative of each painting ends with the same message: you should have been there, you should have seen this. You’d have marveled at the light. You would be humbled by the majesty of this bridge. You’d have loved that cool blue meditative moment, with the river rocks silvering in the light of a reluctantly receding day.