| Meet the Artist |
| Laurie Violette Celebrating God's Gifts in Watercolor |
Over the years, I've been a printer, a folk-singer, a college Biology and Botany instructor,
and most recently, a 20-year government employee. When I retired several years ago, I
decided to be what I'd always really wanted to be: a full-time artist.
Obviously, I haven't always been an artist but I have always loved to draw and paint. For a
number of years, pen and ink drawings of folks' homes served as an outlet for my artistic
leanings. Later, I learned decorative (Tole) painting; this was a valuable side-trip since it
taught me about brush control. I don't remember what prompted me to try watercolor
painting - I suspect God had a hand in it because the process has been altogether too
easy and way too much fun for such a touchy medium.
I'm a self-taught watercolorist with a very large library of how-to books. In retrospect, I
believe the strong desire to paint, perseverance (or maybe stubbornness), and willingness
to fail and not get discouraged were, and still are, some of the most important factors in
this learning process.
and most recently, a 20-year government employee. When I retired several years ago, I
decided to be what I'd always really wanted to be: a full-time artist.
Obviously, I haven't always been an artist but I have always loved to draw and paint. For a
number of years, pen and ink drawings of folks' homes served as an outlet for my artistic
leanings. Later, I learned decorative (Tole) painting; this was a valuable side-trip since it
taught me about brush control. I don't remember what prompted me to try watercolor
painting - I suspect God had a hand in it because the process has been altogether too
easy and way too much fun for such a touchy medium.
I'm a self-taught watercolorist with a very large library of how-to books. In retrospect, I
believe the strong desire to paint, perseverance (or maybe stubbornness), and willingness
to fail and not get discouraged were, and still are, some of the most important factors in
this learning process.
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I paint only subjects about which I have strong feelings. Dad taught me to stop and really observe and appreciate even
the tiniest things in Nature, so flowers and the natural world are my usual subjects. My education in Biology and Botany
has left me in awe of the complexity and wonder of God's creation. For me, the whole process of making a watercolor
painting is a prayer of thanksgiving to God for creating such a beautiful world.
Recently I've begun teaching water color painting at the Camden Campus of Coastal Georgia Community College. I'm
doing this in spite of my lack of formal art training because so many people have been asking me to teach. Teaching is
just as much fun as I remember, and the benefits for me go far beyond the paycheck because there's no better way to
learn than to teach.
And through it all, I have my husband, John, to thank for his steadfast belief in me, his patience with me, and his
encouragement - not to mention his strong and willing back which has enabled me to continue to show my paintings at
numerous art festivals in Georgia and Florida. God, John and me - What a team!
the tiniest things in Nature, so flowers and the natural world are my usual subjects. My education in Biology and Botany
has left me in awe of the complexity and wonder of God's creation. For me, the whole process of making a watercolor
painting is a prayer of thanksgiving to God for creating such a beautiful world.
Recently I've begun teaching water color painting at the Camden Campus of Coastal Georgia Community College. I'm
doing this in spite of my lack of formal art training because so many people have been asking me to teach. Teaching is
just as much fun as I remember, and the benefits for me go far beyond the paycheck because there's no better way to
learn than to teach.
And through it all, I have my husband, John, to thank for his steadfast belief in me, his patience with me, and his
encouragement - not to mention his strong and willing back which has enabled me to continue to show my paintings at
numerous art festivals in Georgia and Florida. God, John and me - What a team!
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