RISCA | Laura TWO Tina

original artwork by Diana Sartor

Dear Tina & delightful friends~

My studio has been a buzz with activity. I just finished teaching an AMAZING Altered Books class and I am getting ready to pack up my fun art supplies and head to NH where I will be teaching again at the Holderness School for Artward Bound. This will be the third year I taught here and always have an incredible time. The only drawback is being away from my sweet love and kitties for almost two weeks!

I was on the what they call the “show committee” at The Artist’s Cooperative Gallery of Westerly for a special exhibit put on by RISCA which the gallery hosted for the month of February. It provided our gallery the unique opportunity to share in the Contemporary art scene (which I love) in RI. In the process of putting the show together we had the luxury of working with the FABULOUS Christina Di Chiera, Director of Individual Artists Programs who really put her all into making this show spectacular. Everything was thoughtfully orchestrated, from hanging the show, organizing the highly attended Opening Reception, Writer’s Night and Artist Talk. I felt proud to be a part of such an event.

My dear friend, fellow ACGOW member and show committee chair, Diana Sartor asked me if I would like to do an art collaboration with her to send to Christina as a thank you, so of course I jumped on it! Diana’s paintings are often brightly colored, abstract and full of content and meaning. I could hardly stand waiting to see what she would give me to use.

I cut up the original painting Diana gave me into the two postcard size works below.

crop of Diana's painting

I then started layering color on top and pulled out areas with hints of colored pencil.

Laura's Working Table

Here are the final two pieces. I had SO much fun doing this and felt honored that Diana trusted me to embellish her work. We had a great conversation about collaboration and I have many thoughts brewing about the topic. It is always fun to step outside your comfort zone and I loved how this was a different spin on our ongoing postcard project. I will let you know which one Diana chooses to send Christina. Which one are you most drawn to and why? As you know we are fond of mailing artwork to our biggest fans so leave a comment or sign up for our newsletter (on the right hand side bar). Sending a slight hint of spring your way…Laura