Laura Watt’s painting practice has always been rooted in geometric shapes, patterns and compositions. In this particular series, she limited her color palette to mostly neutral colors (with some red, blue or green depending upon the composition) and organized the compositions with lines radiating from the center and an overlay of straight lined diamond and square shapes to purposely activate the eye. Combined with subtle value shifts of the layered patterns and a strategic contrast of white and black, she has created illusory depth and space on 30 by 30 inch square canvases.
Laura Watt Plan for Open Ceiling #1, 2016 Oil on canvas 30 x 30“
Laura Watt Plan for Open Ceiling #2, 2016
Oil on canvas 30 x 30“
Laura Watt Plan for Open Ceiling #3, 2016 Oil on canvas 30 x 30“
Note the use of blue and purple in the grid as a subtle contrast against the black ground.
Laura Watt Plan for Open Ceiling #4, 2016 Oil on canvas 30 x 30“
Laura Watt Plan for Open Ceiling #5, 2016 Oil on canvas 30 x 30“
Laura Watt Plan for Open Ceiling #6, 2016 Oil on canvas 30 x 30"
About Laura Watt: Laura Watt was born in Lancaster PA and currently lives and works in Garrison, NY. She studied at Bennington College and earned her MFA from Yale University. Watt”s paintings and drawings have been shown nationally and internationally including exhibitions at: MACA, Philadelphia; St. Joseph’s University, Philadelphia; Phillips Museum at Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster; State Museum of Pennsylvania; and Lancaster Museum of Art, Lancaster all in Pennsylvania; and Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, Ridgefield; New Haven Museum, New Haven; and Stamford Museum, Stamford all in Connecticut. Watt has also exhibited at McKenzie Fine Art, Bridgette Mayer Gallery, Lesley Heller Workshop, Locks Gallery and numerous other galleries and institutions. Her artworks are in the collections of Lancaster Museum of Art and many private collections. Watt taught at Tyler School of Art for 5 years and presently sits on the board of the Vermont Studio Center.