DAS Member Interview - Laura Trueman

28 Apr

Laura, how did you become interested in painting?

A teacher gave me a booklet on great painters when I was in 2nd class.

Painting and Artists fascinated me and it still does. My mother also immersed me in creativity and always encouraged it.

Do you have any art training?

I consider my proper training only having taken place in the last few years. I have formal education having studied a HND in fine art in Armagh and Animation Drawing studies in Ballyfermot. I studied for 160 hours in the Atelier at the Schoolhouse for Art with Will Nathans. I learnt a lot from him and classical art techniques.

What other artists do you enjoy?

I adore Paul Henry's Landscapes of rural Ireland. He is currently my absolute favourite. John Singer Sargents portraits, John Laverys portraits and landscapes. Sarah Pursers portraits, Thomas Honz’ treescapes, Marc Delassios buttery landscapes, Rubens Portraits and his absolute truth in the shadows, Mary Cessatt, her depiction of family life and childhood innocence.. Kathy Kolwitz’ depicting of the universal human experience.. Anna Balińskas striking portraits .the list goes on, these are some of my favourites.

Does creativity run in the family?

My Granny Blayney was a midwife early in her career. Later in life she was a ward sister on nights. My Granda Blayney was Vice Principal in St. Patrick's college in Ballymena. He taught Art. In his early years he was a member of the dramatic group in Ballymena. He did stage make up and painted backdrops and stage sets. Later he would paint alot en plein air while also teaching and taking care of his 6 kids while my Gran took rest during the day. My great Grandfather was a tailor and then a train driver. My cousin is a brilliant artist and many of the present younger generation are very artistic. My great grandfather carved toys from walnut shells. Creativity does run in the family in various forms. My mother writes fantastic poetry and makes things.

Can you describe your artistic process?

A lot of my current process is searching and really looking at what I want to paint. I do thumbnail sketches and study my subject closely. Once I have found the composition that I like, I start in drawing it on the board and making a very general sketch, paying particular attention to the details of the outline and the bigger shapes. Once I am absolutely sure of that, I will then look at the values, blocking in dark and light. Again keeping things general and to max 3 values, I will add those in mixing the colours to match the values. Lately I find myself really enjoying the less detail I put in. The simpler a painting the better for me.

Tell us about your medium and why you chose it?

I love the richness and depth of colour with oil paints. The movability and the texture is what attracts me. It also helps that it doesn't mix with water as I spend alot of time painting outside. Even that is not without its struggles though. Pencil is fundamental. I will always draw.

Was it always painting or did you have another pursuit/job/career?

I sold pencils in art shops for years. When I moved to Dublin it was to study Animation, I didn't feel it was for me, though I really cherished the learning I got from the time I spent in Ballyfermot. I had a brilliant teacher, Paula Jane who instilled a passion for life drawing in me. When I gave up Animation I still needed to pay rent. I worked in Art shops for about 14 years. It was a sweet deal really, working with the products that fuelled my love for art and creativity. I got to meet lots of different Artists and people from different walks of life and realised I am such a people person. I made it my business to know what every single art medium/paint and surface was about so that I could advise and help customers pick what they needed. I loved to inspire them and talk with them about their ideas and various projects. I learned a very good work ethic with my first job. A lot of people tell me I should open a gallery as I would be very good at picking art and selling it.

What inspires you to paint?

My son. I think if I did not have him I wouldn't paint so feverishly. When I had him I felt a new me was born, one full of massive feeling and responsibility. It overwhelms me sometimes. I really struggled at the beginning of his life. There were problems at the start. As he grew, I had to learn quickly and I was made keenly aware of time passing. I know that I have to make art. If not for him to see the important things in life, like his mother pursuing her own artistic career also for me and my own belief in myself. Other things that inspire me are wide open expansive spaces with lots of distances, great heights and depths. It keeps me aware of my place in the world. It keeps me humble. My friends are a huge inspiration to me too. During the last few years I have founded amazing friendships.

What does a perfect day painting look like for you?

We all throw our gear in the boot and jump in the car. We drive to the best coffee place we can find in the vacinity and get on the road. The drive is long and worth it. The sky has fast moving thick and meaty clouds. We reach our destination and we are driving up hills and into valleys searching for a good spot to paint. Parking up, walking about. Sometimes it really takes time to find it. Then I see it. The thing I really, really want to paint. It's more often than not, not so obvious. I settle in, on the edge of the cliff. With plenty of room to comfortably step back and see the whole picture. The sun is glistening on the water and at times making it sparkle. I restrict my white. I am thinking and problem solving the whole time, thinking about brushstrokes thinking distances, values, feeling the sun, feeling harmony and emanating it in my colours. Leaving the best until last, I get to this moment during painting of complete peace. My shoulders drop and I can relax now. I'm really enjoying this. I manage to wow myself at my own creation..just as I have reached the pinnacle of happiness a massive storm cloud moves over the landscape. Rain thrashes down and I pack up as I see it coming. Running for the car I see my comrades do the same. Jumping in the car we retreat to the nearest local with a stove and a table big enough for all of us to share. After dinner we sketch and chat and laugh and enjoy the presence of each other's company. Sometimes we plot and plan our next adventure. We come up with ideas and we tell stories. We finish up and pay the bill and while walking to the car I suggest we paint a Nocturne. Everybody laughs and at the same time they denote the seriousness in my voice...

We all go home and sleep like felled trees and do it all again tomorrow and maybe this time will be even better.

Any DAS memories?

Hanging with Marijke, Clair, Jan and Mary in schoolhouse for art in the freezing cold and rain. That was fun! Meeting more gorgeous members Wendy, Gill, Jane, Rose in Kilruddery House. Again spending more time in schoolhouse this time with Sheila Mac Nally too. I really enjoyed the workshop with Lynn Kennedy where I met Tara O’Reilly. All the members have such good vibes and I really feel so welcome and happy to be around them. I’m looking forward to making more memories and meeting more members and hopefully forging new friendships.