Laurie Fields finds innovative ways to use different and sometimes unlikely materials to create unique works of art
Written by Alison Pappas | Photography by Pamela Aquilani
NEW BEGINNINGS
Laurie Fields has found a new home within in the Sussex County creative community.
Mixed-media artist Laurie Fields specializes in merging and transforming materials — often those that others would discard — in surprising ways within individual pieces.
“I use lots of different mediums, such as acrylic, oil, encaustic wax, cold wax, mono-printing, and more. Often, they are all combined together,” said Fields. A key theme in her process is avoiding waste as much as possible.
“I find inspiration for my next piece from materials that I have available or something new I found that I don’t want to go wasted. So, it’s like, What can I do with this? How can I make this work? I’d say that’s the biggest thing that guides my next piece,” shared Fields.
For over 40 years, Laurie held one of the resident artist slots at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, VA. There, members of the public were free to observe as she, and about 100 other artists, created their work.
Recently, Laurie relocated to Bayside in Selbyville. While part of her misses the daily camaraderie with other artists at the Torpedo Factory, she has found opportunities to connect with local Shore artists.
“I was asked to join an artist group in the area called The Artist Exchange, so that’s been nice. They’ve been really welcoming, and it’s made a big difference. We meet once a month and bring work for each other to critique,” shared Fields.
Laurie has also drawn inspiration from the Shore’s coastal setting and natural splendor. While her former work often featured darker colors, such as blacks, grays and browns, her more recent pieces highlight the colors of the area’s breathtaking sunrises and sunsets.
“I have incorporated the new elements of what I had found in the area, so my new pieces actually have real foliage in them encased in many layers of encaustic wax. I melt the wax on a hot plate and apply it while it’s liquid. It hardens immediately, and it acts like a glue around the foliage, so there are many layers of wax encasing it and preserving it. Then, I cut up the pieces and arrange them with other things,” said Fields. CS