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Laurie Baars

@lauriebaars

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Contemporary abstract painter
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Shop original art and prints at my website below 👇

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I rarely post photos of myself on here, so thought it was time to peek out from behind the art and say hi!

I’m an abstract painter based in Seattle. Outside of painting, some of my favorite things include: my daily walks, hiking in the mountains, gardening, dancing, a good margarita, and seeing live music in one of the many great small venues in Seattle.

This photo was taken two years ago and it’s interesting to see these paintings as they were then. Some of them remained the same and sold; some evolved further and are still waiting to find homes. And some like the big one on the bottom left are still in progress and covered in many layers, still waiting to emerge as a finished piece.

Making art is such a process and a journey within and without, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to do it. Thanks for being along for the ride!
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📷 by @ellie.lillstrom
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#artistinstudio #studiolife #artistlife #makesomethingeveryday #artflowsessions #justbehue #timeforcreativesouls #artmaking #studiopractice #artistinspired #curator_artgallery #mixedmediaoncanvas #artexperiment #keepcreating #howihue #borntobecreative #layersonlayers #createdaily #artsnacks #artobsession #assemblage #abstractartists #passioncolorjoy #abstractpaintings #abstracted #abstracts #abstracto #abstractartist #showyourwork #artlife taken in Seattle, Washington by @lauriebaars

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a year ago

A small one from earlier this year. My small pieces on paper, canvas, and panel are like sketchbooks for me. That’s where I usually start exploring and playing when I’m beginning a new series.

I like the playful feel of this one and that pop of magenta on the left side. I’ve enjoyed having it hang out in the studio with me these past months.

I’m leaving today for Portugal and then Mallorca, where I’ll be doing a painting workshop in a couple of weeks with @art_fuel_studio and @hchontos. This trip is a 60th birthday gift to myself. So excited to explore these two places I’ve never been and learn from someone whose work I so admire. And also to meet up with art friends @jaquifalkenheim and @juliehamiltoncreative!

#studioart #arteveryday #abstractpainter taken in Seattle, Washington by @lauriebaars

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14 days ago

Little moments in the studio. Showing up and responding intuitively as this painting finds its way. I don’t know where it’s heading, but I’ve learned that’s exactly when to trust the process.

Turn on audio for the gratifying sound of brush and mark-making tools on canvas.

#artinprogress #abstractartwork #studiosession taken in Seattle, Washington by @lauriebaars

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22 days ago

One of my favorite artists, @garykomarin, says “my aim is for the paintings to paint themselves.” That is what I strive for, but it’s easier said than done, especially with abstract work, as there is no roadmap and there is part of me that always wants to be in control.

This painting was floundering for a long time and then I let go and it literally painted itself the last time I worked on it.

The blues, vivid yellow, and pale pink remind me of summer and all the joy that blue skies, flowers, and sunshine bring. There is a lot of rice paper collage in the underlayers that gives it a rich texture.

18x24,” acrylic and mixed media on canvas, $1050, available framed or unframed

#modernabstract #colorfulartwork #artforsalebyartist taken in Seattle, Washington by @lauriebaars

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a month ago

Sometimes the pieces that come together quickly are my favorites. I made these three during times of play and experimentation using my handmade collage papers and can feel the joy that making art brings me in each of them.

All three of these are in the Matzke Gallery 17th Annual Auction. From now through October 2, you can bid on over 100 pieces from a variety of PNW artists or “buy now” and get 10% off the full price. There will be a live auction at the gallery on October 3 for all the pieces that haven’t sold before then.

Each of these is $360, with 10% off if purchased in September. DM me if you’re interested and I can put you in touch with the gallery.

Storlines 1, acrylic, mixed media, and collage, 12x12” on cradled birch panel

Storylines 3, acrylic, mixed media, and collage, 12x12” on cradled birch panel

Eggshells & Ash, acrylic, mixed media, and collage, 12x12” on cradled birch panel

#artforsale #galleryshow #intuitiveart taken in Matzke Fine Art Gallery and Sculpture Park by @lauriebaars

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a month ago

This 16x20” on canvas is from my latest series exploring the abstraction of botanical shapes. I’ll let it simmer a bit more, but I think it may be finished.

I love how the bursts of pink and red work with the muted greens and cream colors. I also love the sense of space, something I’m always returning to in my work and seeking in my own life - whether it be a sense of spaciousness and calm in my mind or in my daily routine.

I don’t have a great “before” photo of this piece, but it definitely had too much going on and felt like it needed a major shift. So I squeezed some paint directly onto the canvas, grabbed some brushes and in just a few minutes it was completely transformed.

I’ve been experimenting more lately with these quick, energetic, bursts of painting - letting go of preconceived notions of what I thought the piece was going to be and surrendering to intuition in the moment. It brings the freedom of the beginning stages back into the middle of the process where I tend to get bogged down.

#courageouscreative #artistprocess #abstractartwork taken in Seattle, Washington by @lauriebaars

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2 months ago

A glimpse of work in progress in the studio. I’m continuing to add layers, trying to stay loose and enjoy the journey. It’s always a challenge not to get too attached to parts of a painting I like, since it often needs to get covered up in the end.

The small pieces on top are pretty much complete. I worked on them all through the early part of this year. It’s fun to now bring some of those concepts into larger work.

#studiopractice #paintpaintpaint #abstractpaintings taken in Seattle, Washington by @lauriebaars

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2 months ago

I’ve been on a roll in the studio! I recently had my 16-year old niece over to gesso a bunch of canvases that had been sitting around forever. It was a nice little summer job for her and an unexpected gift for me.

I’d been working on the same 3 paintings for ages and not making much progress. Once I had lots of new surfaces to work on, things changed. I loosened up, had more fun, and started liking what was happening a lot more. I’d forgotten the benefit of having lots of pieces on the go at once.

These paintings each have 2-3 layers on them - curious to see where they go next!

#inthestudiotoday #studiosession #intuitiveart taken in Seattle, Washington by @lauriebaars

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3 months ago

I’m thrilled to share that I’m now represented by @lynn_hanson_gallery in downtown Seattle! I’m so honored to be included among her fabulous roster of artists.

I’ll have 3 pieces in the upcoming August show, including this quiet one, “Inner Compass,” from my Japan series. I’ll be at the gallery during the Pioneer Square Art Walk on Thursday, August 6 and would love to see you there!

“Inner Compass,” acrylic, collage, mixed media on canvas, 21x21” in maple frame

#GalleryRepresentation, #ArtGallery, #ContemporaryArt taken in Lynn Hanson Gallery by @lauriebaars

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3 months ago

This is one of three 18x24” canvases I’ve been working on. They started out green and blue, then got covered up in collage paper, and are now starting to take on a luminous feel with lots of pale pink, yellow, and lavender. I probably need to bring more contrast in again now. We’ll see where they end up!

Sometimes I wish I had more of a plan and could stick to it, but it’s also fun to just let go and see where the painting takes me.

#layeredart #acryliconcanvas #artpractice taken in Seattle, Washington by @lauriebaars

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3 months ago

I’m excited to share that I’ve just released a small collection of fine art reproductions of four of my favorite paintings!

Each print is made to order by my printing partner on thick, archival-grade canvas, hand-stretched, framed (if desired), and shipped directly to you. Shipping is free within the US.

The prints are available in a variety of sizes and come wired and ready to hang two ways: either 1) stretched and unframed or 2) stretched and framed in a lovely, 2” deep natural wood frame similar to the ones I use for my originals.

This is a project I’ve been working on for a long time. It took a lot of trial and error to get prints and frames that I was happy with. But I’m thrilled to be able to offer a new, more affordable, way to collect my art.

Check out the link in my bio or simply comment “link” and I’ll DM you a link to view the prints on my website. taken in Seattle, Washington by @lauriebaars

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4 months ago

I’ve been steadily showing up in the studio the past few months, building up a body of work, slowly, layer by layer.

My current favorite paint color is Mars Violet, from which I’ve been able to mix some great shades of pink, lavender-gray, and gold.

The larger ones here are still early stages. I’m having fun building up layers and marks and am loving the luminous feel of them right now.

As always, it’s all about trusting in the process and letting my intuition and the work lead the way.
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#paintingprocess #contemporaryabstract #intuitivepainting taken in Seattle, Washington by @lauriebaars

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4 months ago