wondersplash: multi media paintings by laura hallen | january 24th, 2009

in the coldest, most brittle days of winter, "wondersplash" was burst of warmth, texture and color in the paintings of laura hallen. in her current works, laura presents abstract botanical imagery in 3-dimensional painted pieces with the use of plexiglass, acrylic paint, melted beeswax, colored shellacs and decorative papers. the effect resembles cloisonne enamel work with layers of depth and texture. the content of the paintings is lighthearted referring to real things with a twist of irony, giving character to the subjects beyond their existence as plant and organic forms. the pieces are not silky illusory renderings of nature, but representative of life in and of themselves; and that in the development and presentation, there is growth.

laura hallen has a BFA in painting from the U of MN, she has been a picture framer for 11 years and is a master gardener.