LAURA WAIT

My current work is inspired by symbolism and handwriting along with paleography, the study of historical letterforms. I paint largely in acrylic on paper, canvas, and panels, using abstractions of calligraphic forms.

Environment, words, calligraphy, celestial movements, time, symbols, history, music, elemental energy are some of the many influences on my artwork.  While it appears, I am simply an abstract painter using letterforms, there are meanings in the Nimbus series as well as the other paintings presented. I don’t offer simple explanations for my markings; understanding often must be intuited.

My process is intuitive, and many layers are necessary to reach the final vision that I thought I was following. It is done when it is done. If I have a feeling of euphoria, then I am thrilled. 

Born in Canada, I grew up in Boulder, Colorado since the age of 1 1/2. I was surrounded by scientists growing up, but spent much of my time making pottery, and eventually painting, printmaking, and welding sculpture in high school. We traveled the American west. My early work was landscape based, and I made a lot of drawings while in the car (not driving) as it was a primary way I saw the world.

I have been a printmaker, a book artist, a bookbinder and conservator with degrees in Art History from Barnard College, NY, 1975, Croydon College of Art in Printmaking, 1977, as well as Bookbinding, 1981. Since 1981, I have lived in Denver, Steamboat Springs, and Santa Fe, NM since 2013.