Laurel Gibson has studied or done residences at various schools the United States and France. She has taught classes and workshops at local universities, art galleries, museums, and through community outreach organizations.

As an educator, Laurel believes that art is a vehicle of expression when words and actions aren’t possible.  She is passionate about supporting disadvantaged communities and the empowerment of women and children.

Laurel received a grant from The National Endowment of the Arts for her embroidered artworks for the Old Spanish Trail Highway in which she was  named the official artist.  In 2017, Laurel was awarded the Arts & Letters Award from the Friends of the San Antonio Public Library for outstanding contributions to the artistic and literary community of San Antonio.

 

Artist Statement of Work

Tell us about your work (style, approach, philosophy, subject and/or theme):

I feel most joy when I paint outside with a palette knife.  I paint to celebrate life and give thanks to the the world around me.  I see something and I go straight towards it, as close as I can like its beauty is pulling me in.  There is a moment when the painting becomes my prayer of connection and gratitude. 

It is really about engaging the senses and grounding.  My process is simple.  I sit on a blanket mixing colors with a palette knife and apply to the canvas to create rich textural details and painterly spatial effects.  I use acrylics for there fast drying properties.  

The palette knife is my voice and movement of how I am feeling.  I started painting in this style when I became disabled.  It is freeing and brings me joy moments of now.  

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