laura muraco

Please visit my New Site

2011-03-12T11:56:00.000-08:00

There is a new post for a new painting on my new site!

I hope you will take a moment to bookmark my new site, your support truly means the world to me !

I hope you like it :)

xoxo

Laura

a move is afoot

2011-03-07T16:40:00.000-08:00

I am soon going to be relocating my blog to a new server, I am still putting it together but you can sneek a peek:

http://lauramuraco.squarespace.com

please let me know what you think :)

Y I hope you will take a moment to bookmark me

little baby Lu

2011-03-02T18:09:00.000-08:00

sweet dreams Y

a walk through Wonderland

2011-03-01T19:45:00.000-08:00

I just adore all the lovely items I found for my Etsy treasury Wonderland

Eeek!

shop: lilyannaforgirls

Can I have 100s of these hanging from the ceilings everywhere I go?

shop: kismetsunday

I get lost in this beauty.

shop: AFancifulTwist

amazing!

shop: zaracarpenter

I want to swim in these colors!

shop: highteaforalice

These make me want to make a house of sheets and chairs.

shop: IsabellasArt

Y Everyday I am in awe of the incredible talent that Etsy houses. *Sigh*

**nighty night

Coming up Roses

2011-02-20T04:51:00.000-08:00

Last night I attended the opening of a community art show at the Garden (formally known as the R.A.T)

I had the good fortune of showing some of my newest pieces amongst some very lovely work. If you are in the area I highly recommend stopping in Y

THE GARDEN

5207 point pleasant pike

Gardenville p.a.

( use Doylestown p.a. for map quest)

Pictured above is "The Silkmoth"

"BunBun three"

and

"Glow"

"The Silkmoth"

"BunBun three"

"Glow"

I have 5 little pieces in this photo, can you spot them?

"BunBun one", "BunBun two" and "the Bee Charmer"

"It's you"

"You Broke my Heart"

I know this photo isn't the best, I am going to have to take another because this piece is my favorite!

I wish you a beautiful weekend! Y

Task Force

2011-02-07T11:52:00.001-08:00

I am finally aiming to finish "I Couldn't tell if I was Dreaming" today

( you can see in sneak peeks)

The most important thing for me when starting a day of painting is a fresh smooth pallet, which made me think of the task force...

A very dear and talented friend of mine went supply shopping with me once upon a time and she suggested a few very smart elements for my tool kit: as a result saved me hours of precious painting time Y

A paint scrapper! Who knew? I didn't even know this exsisted! I don't know what I did to clean my pallets before, I think I used a pallet knife and solvent, which took for-ever! Now I have this handy do-dad and I am done in minutes, you can get one too at any hardware store.

This key thingy! For opening paint cans! I just pop . pop . pop - and voila I am gessoing in no time.

And let's not forget another very important member of the task force from an old post ;)

One of the best things about having my studio was hanging out with my friends and seeing other artists work and sharing ideas (okay 3 of the best things), Now I am working from home, I miss my studio *sigh*.

Message across the sea

2011-02-02T11:27:00.000-08:00

This, is Izzy.

"hello."

As you can see, Izzy is an adventurer and has little time to fuss with issues of vanity,

that said, she still has fabulous taste in shoes.

Izzy's very best friend moved across the Sea to marry an Englishmen,

Although Izzy is very happy for her friend, she misses her very,

very much.

And so she has a message:

"are you out there my dear? across land and sea? "

"it is me, izzy"

"it's meeeee"

Will Izzy be heard? To be continued...

Check One Sugar Hill to see if Izzy's message is recieved.

Jack Frost and the Crystal Touch

2011-02-02T10:35:00.000-08:00

After living in the NYC for most of adult life, I feel like this is year in the country has shown me the seasons for the first time. The Autumn here in Bucks County was so beautiful it was like witnessing a mythical creature, and now the Winter has shown to be just as spectacular.

Even covered in snow and ice the fireplace still looks warm and cozy to me.

Little Tallulah (the little bean in the picture above) was like Bambi on the ice!

Hooray for our new Jack Russel puppy Luli! I love her so!

May warmth, wonder and health be yours in the cold winter months Y

1000 Words

2011-01-30T16:30:00.000-08:00

I have recently come across this fantastic book loaded with inspirational symbolism, I am filled with a feeling of peace and wonder as I wander through it's beautiful pictures.

In the painting "Glow" an image of a Tibetan lotus, is used on the figures forehead as a symbol of purity.

A Final Note

2011-01-30T16:03:00.000-08:00

a last word for "Dear Edgar"

"Little Edgar"

from the imagination of Rachael of Benediction

"Nevermore"

"The Raven"

Bunnies and Snowbells

2011-01-30T14:41:00.000-08:00

"Glow"

5".7"

watercolor and acrylic on folio paper

"glow"

face detail

"Bun Bun 1"

4" . 4"

acrylic on masonite

with a glitter and enamel frame

"Bun Bun 3"

2.5". 2.5"

acrylic on masonite

enamel and glitter frame

All of the beautiful winter snow has shown up on my canvases as dreamy soft whites and powdery glitters.

my winter studio is;

hot soups and teas,

wool sweaters and socks,

paintbrush and easel,

with good music of course :)

I hope you are enjoying this beautiful glistening season

Put your Stamp on it

2010-11-16T16:11:00.001-08:00

The other day while exploring an antique shop, I found a romantic treasure, vintage stamps, used postcards and envelopes - the stripy kind! They were all sprawled throughout a village of glass ashtrays.

A mountain of vintage stamps from all over the globe, for $4.

I am going to start tucking a few in as gifts with purchase :)

The person who collected all these stamps and envelopes had such a reverence for mail they even used a letter opener (see above), I am sure their letter opener was made of fine smooth silver, heavy in the palm, with a monogrammed handle.

I also found a collection of Postcards sent by a daughter to her mother while traveling through Europe. These Postcards are from her time in Rome, The Netherlands and Berlin. Is it wired that I haven't read them? Perhaps I feel I would be violating their privacy - if you can consider a Postcard private in anyway. Or maybe I haven't read them because I think they will be too boring, after all it is a postcard (to her mother no less) and anyone can read it. All said I must now send a scandalous postcard to someone- I am almost certain it would go unread by anyone but the recipient.

I love this handwriting! Handwriting was once considered an art form. I have never seen a single person from my grandparents generation ( born in the 1930s ) - man or woman, who doesn't have the most impeccable handwriting! I wish nothing would get pushed aside for the sake of the new. I wish we could simply make upgrades while still hording all the beautiful things from the generations prior. But alas, the days are short, and I don't know about you but I was learning "Home Keys" not Calligraphy with school hours. *weep *

Oh yes and...

2010-11-16T16:06:00.000-08:00

Speaking of stamps and cards - I got a new both!

A new custom stamp for shipping envelopes!

And new Postcards! Yay!

Oh the Horror

2010-10-24T13:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I hung many small works for "the Horror Show" at the R.A.T. Gallery in Gardenville, PA. I hope you can make it, it is Saturday night, the eve of Halloween, doors open at 7' o clock

"Dear Edgar" Drawings

"The Veils are Thin"

4" x 6"

"Tell my Heart a Tale"

2.5" x 3"

"The Rat"

2"x 3"

"Short and Sweet"

2.5"x 3"

"Raven's Claw"

4" x 4"

there is also a piece titled "the Raven" I have yet to photograph

"They'll Break your Heart"

"The Sweethearts"

"Sweetheart One"

5"x7"

face detail

"Sweetheart Two"

5"x7"

face detail

Dear Edgar,

2010-10-09T13:08:00.000-07:00

I am currently working on a series of small drawings for the Hallween show inspired by the great Mr. Allen Poe. Last night while I was looking for a coffee table book on Moths, for a upcoming project I found this!

Eeeek! So stunning!

Click on images for larger view

I am sure you can see that I am a bit obsessed with etching right now! Learning to etch is my next endeavor, I cannot leave this earth without knowing how to create these alluring textures.

Here is a sneek peek at my latest, I am planning on completing 10 more in the next few days so I have my work cut out.

Annabell Lee

3 1/2" x 3"

"Lenor"

3"x3"

face detail

I will update the others when the series is complete!

Show at the R.A.T. Gallery

2010-10-09T05:38:00.000-07:00

I am very excited for an upcoming show, it will be held on the eve of Halloween begining at 7 o'clock called the "Horror Show" at the R.A.T. Gallery in Gardenville, PA . If you are in the area I hope you can make it there will be costumes, music and fun! I am so excited because I recently have gotten frames for: "The Removal" (above) I couldn't believe my luck while frame hunting, I feel all my little pieces found their perfect mate Y

"It's All Right There" I was so excited when I found this frame, it is perfect! I love Italian style frames, there are so heavy and ornate but not in a way that is overpowering.

"She always Does This" This frame is my favorite! I was so stoked when I found it, it reminds me of animal print which is perfect for this little one because despite being a bit messy she is very sexy in her little Barbie suit ;), I think it gives her a refined but playful look.

The Most Beautiful Drawing!

2010-09-27T15:39:00.000-07:00

In:

"Old Saratoga Books"

I found:

etching of Charels Follen done by J.C.F.Gutsmuth in 1817

detail

Last Summer John and I were in a used and rare books-store in Saratoga, NY, called "Old Saratoga Books"

I loooove old bookstores, walking though one feels like meandering through the collective unconscious.

Sifting though hundreds of tattered pages, I came across this small etching which evoked what every artist spends his or her life in service to only perhaps achieve. What a complete and humbling drawing. I was so fully engrossed by it's beauty it drew me into total silence (rare) and vulnerability (not rare at all). It is magic to stop time and space, to reach directly into the affections of another. A remote collision of hearts.

This is both my conviction and proclamation of intent.

This is an etching of Charles Follen done by J.C.F.Gutsmuth from Turnbuch für die Söhne Vaterlandes (1817)

Magical Peru

2010-09-26T14:28:00.001-07:00

I have just recently returned from one of the most magical adventures of my life! John and I went with a group called Raw Flora to Peru! I feel so blessed to have seen such a breathtaking place and to have been in the company of such radiant beings. I cannot possibly give high enough praise to this guided journey, if you feel a calling from the jungle or what to experience South America in an rich and authentic way, this maybe for you!

Machu Picchu

baby lama in Cusco!!

Here we stayed for several nights by candle light. Nestled in the jungle, there was no hot water or electric, the night sky was so clear the distinction between myself and the stars faded to nothing.

I bought some of these amazing paints, they are made completely from pigments found in nature such as beetle shells, minerals, and cactus flowers. It was so incredible, I have never seen anything like it, I am excited to use them.

The textiles where unbelievably gorgeous, made without the use of any machines. This is a scarf I got in Cusco that I will cherish forever, all of the colors come from natural dye and the fibers are made and woven by hand from the fleece of baby alpaca.

The markets of Peru hold a magical vibration, charged with the beauty of human creation in tandem with unlocking secrets of nature. It seems not a single blade of grass didn't provide at least 5 uses for the Peruvian people.

New Originals for Sale

2010-09-26T14:12:00.001-07:00

"Revolt"

8".10"

Oil on Wood

face detail

shoulder detail

"Revolt" is a beacon calling to inner light in a time when force of spirit encounters smothering oppositions so steadily. The French Revolution is a roaring flame that lights the path of those in need of uprising. For me personally I feel this is a time for an inner revolution and a restructuring of values that align with the earth, to harness sustainable energy resources both inner and outer. "Revolt" is now available in my shop

"It's You"

Oil on Masonite in Custom Frame

3.5"x2.3/4" painting

9"x5.5" with frame

This tiny little cheeky is also now available to own here

Emily's new site

2010-09-21T17:34:00.000-07:00

Connect, Create, Inspire: Wish Sticks and Farm Dreams: "We put our hopes and dreams into the universe and hope they are well received. As a kid I would blow on dandelion seed heads with all my mig..."

It's You is Completed!

2010-09-14T17:11:00.001-07:00

"It's You"

3.5" x 2.3/4" 9" x 5.5" with frame

face detail

hand elaborated frame

Here is another painting for the world, this one is teeeny tiny and was very fun to paint. I talked a little about this painting before in a previous post . I am waiting for the paint and the enamel on the frame to dry and "It's You" will be in my shop.

a Little More Fun, a Lot More Soul

2010-09-13T16:11:00.000-07:00

I just spent a few hrs on Revolt and I am very pleased with the progress. I think somewhere along the way I forgot how fun painting is and how joyful it is to just explore and create! I worked today intentionally without any music or talk radio and I found it much easier to sink into the moment. I really like the push pull going on between refinery and grit, I am excited to see what else unfolds as I continue my journey with this piece.

Sneek Peeks

2010-09-12T16:00:00.000-07:00

"Revolt" face detail

I always have a few paintings going at once, this helps me not over work a painting but also gives me something to always work on while paint is drying between layers.

Here you can see 4 of the 5 pieces I am working on" Techno Eve" (working title)" I Couldn't Tell if I was Dreaming"," Blackbird Cry" ,"Revolt" and not pictured but also currently being worked on is "It's You"

"I Couldn't tell if I was Dreaming" is coming along Y

New! "Revolt" 10"x 8" on oval wood panel

I just recently started "Revolt" and I am very pleased with how it has turned out so far. I promise I will not start anymore paintings so I can finish this crop, I will soon be filling my shop with new originals and prints! Yay!

100 Sales! New Cards!

2010-09-09T09:26:00.000-07:00

New cards! 3"x 1.5"

I love how they turned out! I ordered these from 1800 postcards and I was thrilled with their customer service and speedy delivery. They are so sweet and vibrant!

Handmade stationary! While they last you will receive a handmade book mark and card with any purchase from my shop

Bunny detail. I had so much fun making these little drawings, they are all different! The picture above is actually the yellow card but my camera distorted the colors so much it looks pink :/

Bookmarks! When you receive yours it will be customized a stamp of your first initial.

Lydia Approves Y

In Honor of my 100 sales on Etsy I made new bookmarks and stationary as gifts, I also ordered new buisness cards which I adore!

Blackbird Cry update

2010-08-15T14:02:00.001-07:00

step 1 & 2

step 3

step 4?

I don't know if you remember from way back when but this is the latest of "Blackbird Cry". Step 3 is the stage the painting is actually in, step 4 is after I played around in Photoshop. I wanted to see what it would look like to add a wash of blue over the whole painting to mute the color and add a melancholic tone. I liked the results so I am going to try it out with actual paint, I have never tried that before, I am interested to see the results.

darling Delphine

2010-08-15T07:15:00.000-07:00

"Delphine"

12". 9.5"

dolphin detail

face detail

New drawing! "Delphine" is a tribute to my deep love of Dolphins. Dolphins, to me, are the most joyful healing beings on earth. I saw my fist live Dolphins last summer swimming of the coast of Charleston S.C. and I was instantly filled with laughter and love, I don't know what it is about them they are just magnificent to me. Have you ever seen Dolphin Bubble Rings? Here is an amazing short vid on Dolphins you have to see! "Delphine" is available to be your one and only in my Shop

Bozeek!

2010-07-06T10:24:00.000-07:00

I recently completed creating this cloth baby doll for a little girl I used to take care of, she is very precious to me, so I wanted to make something special for her. She named the doll Bozeek which I think is the perfect name!

"Bozeek"

cloth doll about 14" from head to toe

face detail

The pattern for this doll was inspired by a doll my grandmother made in the 50s,

I did a post featuring my Grandmothers doll a few weeks ago. I had so much fun making this doll! I plan on creating more and sending them out into the world through my shop! I think there is something so romantic about the simplicity and sincerity of a handmade doll. The magic found in plastic toys pales in comparison to a hug-able, hand stitched doll. After searching the internet high and low I found a vintage pattern much like the one my grandmother used here

It's You

2010-06-23T15:32:00.001-07:00

"It's you"

3".2.75"

with frame 9".5"

I found this simple and adorable butterfly at the jewelry shop and epoxy-ed it onto the frame, I love all the dimension it adds

face detail

This is yet another piece that is on the easel at the moment, working with oils I have definitely learned the value of always having multiple pieces going. This painting is not fully finished but almost, she was born out of a sketch I did while sitting in my favorite breakfast spot in Park Slope, Brooklyn

I Couldn't Tell if I was Dreaming

2010-06-23T15:15:00.000-07:00

"I Couldn't Tell if I was Dreaming"

14".11"

bear detail

face detail

This is a new piece I have just recently started. This has been a very transformative year for me and I think this piece really embodies a lot of that. I didn't realize it at the time of it's creation, but now when I look at this drawing the bear she is holding is representative of a childhood teddy bear and the broken handcuff symbolizes breaking free from the past. If your childhood toy that you took everywhere with you, that you told all of your secrets too and that watched you grow up, could talk, what would it say?

Thank you for sticking with me!

2010-06-23T14:53:00.000-07:00

Sorry I have not been posting consistently, my hubby and I are moving to Bucks County P.A. While it is exciting things are also a little hectic so thanks for sticking with me while I transition. I do have some exciting new pieces I am working on!

"Seafarer's Dream"

1 3/4" . 1"

If you fancy her I just posted this precious little summer necklace in my shop!

Squeegee!

2010-05-27T12:22:00.000-07:00

I have learned a new tips this past year that I thought I should share to hopefully save someone any wasted time. Dun dun na naaaaa....

Apply Gesso with a squeegee like this! :

I cannot tell you how much time I have wasted sanding paint brush lines out of my gessoed canvases, and even after an hour of intense sanding there will still be groves and nixs in my final canvas that are just to deep and fine to fully sand without taking the gesso off completely. The one above is by Speedball and is very inexpensive. I am so pleased with the smooth finish this squeegee provides when applying gesso, not to mention it covers a large area so it also saves time in that way.

If you try on out or if you already use the squeegee technique while gesso-ing let me know what you think!

SALE!

2010-05-27T11:55:00.000-07:00

"Don't Forget the Pigs"

acrylic on canvas

8".10"

Piggy detail

I just uploaded a bunch of older paintings I did in my shop for sale, Including my beloved "Don't Forget the Pigs" My hubby and I are moving to P.A. and I have decided to mark a few things down because I really want them in good homes and not risk damage in the move.

Necklaces!

2010-05-02T06:08:00.000-07:00

"The Bee Charmer"

1 and 3/4" x 1 and 3/4"

Oil and varnish on wood

"Positive affirmation necklaces"

1.5" x 1.5"

mixed media on wood, varnish

"I Trust in the Process of my Life"

I am very exited about my new necklaces, I plan to continue making them because they just turned out so sweet! I have one that I wear all the time and I get loads of compliments ;) These necklaces are available in my shop (link on the side bar)

Mark Ryden Show

2010-05-02T05:46:00.000-07:00

I went to the opening of the latest Mark Ryden show on Thursday night at the Paul Kasmin Gallery (www.paulkasmingallery.com)

This is "Incarnation" I know the picture is awful, it was a little tricky to get good shot because it was super crowded and I couldn't use a flash. I wanted to add this picture though so you could see how large this piece is. It is absolutely stunning! You can see it on (www.markryden.com)

All the frames of the paintings were hand carved and hand painted, they are unbelievable!

I loved people watching, there where so many awesome outfits

"Daisy" from the latest Mark Ryden Show

This is my favorite piece, she is such a sweetie! These drawings are truly beautiful, they looked like old book pages.

New Tote!

2010-04-18T16:21:00.000-07:00

I love my little tote bags I must say, I have a collection of every one I have ever made that I wear all the time!! They are super soft and durable and hold a lot! Very eco chic ;)

You can have one of your very own by visiting one of my shops on the side bar!

Process

2010-04-12T13:04:00.000-07:00

1. drawing, make sure to set your drawing with workable fixative so it does not smear and muddy your paint

2. under painting of darks, wait for paint to dry fully.

3. continue to build layers adding color gradually, working up from darkest to lightest. Be sure to let layers dry fully before applying paint on top of a preexisting layer.

4. Blend a layer of primary flesh tone (in this case it is white) soft handedly blending with a Sable brush.

I have been using water-based oils and truthfully they have been giving me some problems. Because they are water soluble, even after a layer fully dries, application of a new wet coat of paint picks up the under lying layer -- Ahhh! This has been causing a lot of extra work as you can imagine because I have to waste a lot of time doing patch-ups. I am torn though because water-based oil paints are so much better for the environment, and don't require all the stinky (and toxic) solvents. Another dilemma I have encountered is the water based paints just do not have to same glassy, rich finish of oils. I have found however adding a coat of varnish when the painting is finished solves this.

5. TO BE CONTINUED..... I will keep you posted as the painting comes along

Like Rabbits

2010-04-12T12:24:00.000-07:00

*please click for a larger view

"Like Rabbits"

48".24"

hand detail

hair detail

Finally! I am at a place where I can say DONE (at least for now) I have learned a lot from working on this piece, one being: the Internet is cruel to tall and narrow pieces especially if they are of a light color pallet! If you are making work in part to show case on the Internet please keep this in mind!!!

The idea behind this piece is inspired by all the children born into broken families, myself included. This is a theme I have explored a lot through the use of rabbits ( here used a symbol of fertility) and broken hearts.

It's All Right In Front of You

2010-04-12T11:31:00.000-07:00

"It's All Right In Front of You"

5".7"

face detail

This little piece is very dear to me. I was looking at an old doll my Grandmother made in the 50's that I always loved as a young girl and the face in this painting and that on the doll have almost identical characteristics. I wonder if it seeped in from my subconscious?

But that is not the main reason I love this painting so. Truthfully, I am not quite sure what is it exactly. I believe it's all the dualities going on, she is simultaneously affectionate and not, cute and a little erie and on and on...

When I first finished this piece she reminded me of the beloved Alice from Alice in Wonderland. I decided to really enforce this by giving her the iconic black bow, and I gave her baby the head of the white rabbit. I titled the piece "It's All Right In Front of You" because to me Alice really depicts the wanderer in all of us, with her head in the clouds dreaming, looking for something undefined. "It's all right in front of you" is an impossible statement because while it could be argued as true, particularly by quantum physicists ;) it seems inconceivable, and the harder Alice searches the "curiouser and curiouser" things become.

Speaking more specifically about the content of the piece, it all just really unfolded without a lot of intellectualizing. I think there can be many interpretations of it and that is what I love about art, the most important thing is each individual viewers experience and understanding.

EBSQ Patron's Choice Award!

2010-04-12T11:11:00.001-07:00

"She Always Does This"

I have finished this little piece and I re-titled it: "She Always Does This". I decided to really push the concept to the edge, before I felt that it was a bit safe and not fully explored, I really wanted to portray the figure as so completely enraptured by her object of desire that she has taken on a level soul surrender. I entered this piece in www.ebsqart.com 's "Sinner's show" and it won the Patron's Choice Award!! I am so excited! Thank You!!!

New Art! New Website

2010-03-14T16:43:00.000-07:00

"I just want to enjoy this a minute"

Oil on Masonite

5".7"

I have been working on my new website through www.otherpeoplespixels.com. It is not done yet but if you would like to see it as a work in progress please check it out! www.lauramuraco.com

Above is a new painting I just completed. I have been having a lot of fun doing a series of smaller paintings

Jonathan Levine Gallery

2010-01-19T07:50:00.000-08:00

looking at the price list in the James Marshall Exhibit at the

Jonathan Levine Gallery

I recently went to my favorite gallery

( www.jonathanlevinegallery.com )for the Audrey Kawasaki and James Marshall show. I took little Bo with me, she is the girl I take care of 3 days a week. She really loved it, she kept talking about the Skeleton she saw in one of the pictures because it was a new word she learned. If you live in or near NYC definitely add Jonathan Levine Gallery to you list of activities. I love it because they always have stunning, cutting edge art, and they are so nice, one of the sellers even let Bo into her office to show her an impressive AJ Fosik Sculpture. One thing I am going to miss so much when I leave the city is having easy access to amazing art galleries like this.

I really admire Miss Kawasaki's work, particularly for her execution, her technique is brilliant because it is simultaneously very soft yet also carries a lot of depth. Love it!

Showing Bo the Skeletons in one of the Audrey Kawasaki pieces,Skeleton became the word of the day.

The Removal

2010-01-18T18:26:00.000-08:00

This is a piece sprang from a sketch I did on my way home from Therapy actually. I have been bringing my sketchbook with me on the Train lately instead of a reading book and I have been catching some interesting images.

"The Removal"

5".7"

Teeny Tiny

2010-01-18T18:18:00.000-08:00

This is a little 1.25" x 1.25" painting I did on a cut piece of stick. Sorry for the bad picture, my camera was no focusing very well on this tiny little painting. I will be adding this to my shop soon as a necklace. I am going to add a layer of resin for protection, depth and shine.

"Untitled"

1.25" x 1.25"

Custom Portraits

2009-12-27T09:26:00.000-08:00

"Theadora"

8".10"

"Theadora Reference"

"Jacob"

8".10"

"Elliot"

8".10"

"Miss Louise"

8".10"

I have not been promoting them as of late, but I also do Custom Portraits, here are some 5".7" oil portraits I did in 2007. These paintings were all done on an 8".10" wood panel. As you can see from the reference picture my portraits are somewhat Disney-ized versions of the subject for a enchanting final product. I am happy to do your portrait in any theme that speaks to you, this customer wanted a Victorian theme to all of the portraits so I used an Oval Victorian pattern to encapsulate each portrait and used rich coppery tones to give the pieces a antiquated feel. If you notice both the men appear to be wearing "eyeliner" that is because they where, I love the juxtaposition between rock and Victorian. If you are interested in commissioning a custom portrait please contact me for rates or visit my shop: www.michelli.etsy.com

New Sites!

2009-12-17T10:13:00.000-08:00

I am very excited to be a new member of both EBSQ and Deviant art!

My user name is Laura Michelle Muraco on both sites. I was timid at first about joining art sites and showing my art, but it has been such a great experience getting feedback and sharing with fellow artist and art lovers! If you have any questions about either of the sites contact me and I would be more than happy to help in anyway I can.

Can you see the differences?

2009-12-13T18:23:00.000-08:00

This is definitely the largest piece I have done to date! "Eve" is 4 feet tall and 2 feet wide. I just wanted to post my progress with it, this is a few hours of work since my last posting of "Eve" can you see the differences?

First step of "Blackbird Cry"

2009-12-13T17:49:00.000-08:00

This is the first step of yet another painting. This little piece measures 5".7" I wanted to also include a few of my reference pics to show a bit of my process:

1. So first I have the model come in, in this case my lovely friend Jessica ( http://onesugarhillblog.blogspot.com/ ) and if time allows I draw them from life.

2. I spray the piece with Workable Fixative so that my drawing will not smudge and smear when I apply paint

3. I take a few reference shots to refer to while I am painting, I rarely work without reference whether it be live or from a photograph. The only time I work with out reference is if I want a more dream like feel or if it is something I have drawn or painted 100s of times like the rabbits in "Eve" posted above.

4. I apply a thin layer of water-based oil paint to sketch in the dark areas of painting

5. Allow to dry completely and continue to build up the piece layer by layer, starting first with darkest shades and slowly working up to finishing highlights.

This is just a basic run through of how I essentially work :) I will continue to post as I go along to show the stages of this painting

First Step of my next Painting

2009-12-07T04:12:00.000-08:00

This is my next large painting I am working on. I just got it laid out on the canvas...

Etsy Updates!

2009-10-24T15:08:00.000-07:00

Now almost all the work you see here is available in my shop. In print form or originals.

www.michelli.etsy.com

On the Easel

2009-10-23T15:23:00.001-07:00

"eve"

48". 24"

eve detail

"Eve" is not finished yet but I wanted to share what I have been working on.

I have been focusing a lot lately on the balance between realism and gesture. One one hand I seek a polished quality in my work, allowing the image to speak clearly. Yet on the other, I believe sincerity is sacrificed in the refining process. I feel it is difference between listening to a prepared academic dissertation and a brokenhearted bar stool conversation. I would like to find a place for both grit and grace to live in harmony in my work.

Trance.Form

2009-10-18T12:09:00.000-07:00

"Trance.Form"

22" . 22"

This is a graphite drawing of my friend Tania. I let this drawing stay very dream like and fluid, I usually work in more bold pallets and mediums but I enjoy the femininity and emotional quality I have found in using watercolor.

love letters

2009-10-18T11:12:00.001-07:00

"love letters"

5". 7"

"Ooey Gooey" now showing at Tamboril

2009-09-27T11:55:00.000-07:00

"Ooey Gooey"

45" . 30"

Ooey Gooey was inspired by the Ooey Gooey lure of temptation. I intentionally loaded this painting with gobs and drips to express the fluidity of emotions and desires. I find it interesting that "Miss Ooey Gooey" looks like she has been caught doing something she shouldn't, but she isn't as concerned about shame as she is about extinguishing her yearning

"Ooey Gooey" is currently showing at

Tamboril 527 Myrtle Ave Brooklyn, NY

http://tamborilnyc.com/

A.G.A.S.T.

2009-08-28T06:52:00.000-07:00

October 17th and 18th is the annual gowanus artists studio tour: http://www.agastbrooklyn.com/

I have been having a lot of fun creating new works for it. I looked on the website, it looks like there will be a lot of really great art there!

Here is a convenient map of the building I am located in complements of Karl Metz :
www.karlmetz.com

The building is 112 2nd ave at the corner of 10th street. I am studio 5b on the 2nd floor, I will have maps in my studio of the rest of the tour. Hope to see you there!

little baby kitty

2009-08-24T19:45:00.000-07:00

"here kitty, kitty, kitty"

4". 5"

This is a tiny little drawing that had a mate I really liked, It is was a graphite drawing of a girl titled "Livinia", I seemed to have misplace her for the moment :( Very strange, I have never lost a piece of art in my life.

This is a photograph of it awhile before I lost it.

"Shipwrecked"

5" . 3"

Painting to be

2009-08-24T19:41:00.000-07:00

Sketchbook drawing I did for the Heart Chakara while doing my Yoga Teacher Training. I am very excited to make this into a paining.

...

2009-08-24T19:39:00.000-07:00

Ink Drawing

playing with a different medium, I like how bold this piece turned out, very comic book like.

My New Studio!

2009-08-24T19:18:00.000-07:00

There are two paintings I am working on in this photo, they are titled "eve 1" and "eve"
"eve 1" is on the far left of the photo. I stared this piece about a year ago and never finished it for some reason, but I really like it so I am going to finish it. I just had the lovely Jes Liberty (http://onesugarhillblog.blogspot.com/) pose for me with a blond wig on for reference so I can finish it.

this piece has been really fun so far it is based on the graphite drawing of "eve" I posted earlier. I intend to keep a bit more texture in this piece than I have been working with, i think art is really interesting when you can see the artist hands at work vs. very refined. It's always a balancing act.

My old Building mate and friend Sonja is the model for "eve"

Sketches

2009-01-26T08:38:00.000-08:00

train sketches

cain, able

2009-01-08T16:09:00.000-08:00

cain

5.5" . 4"

able

5.5" . 4"

Eve

2009-01-08T15:36:00.000-08:00

eve

6". 7"

Potential

2009-01-08T15:24:00.000-08:00

potential

24". 24"

This piece is very dear to me as it is a self-portrait I did in a very transitional time in my life. There is a lot of symbolism in this painting that can be interpreted in innumerable ways depending on which cultures lens you are looking through. When I painted this piece the snake represented worldly attachments, but later it has also appeared to mean emerging power of the third chakra. The third Chakra is the golden yellow center of fire and power and is located at the base of the sternum. The egg adorning her hair is a Dove’s egg and it represents the egg or the seed of her highest self. The play between the vulnerable egg and the hungry snake is very interesting to me because it is unclear if the egg is even threatened at all.

Trovato

2008-12-19T11:10:00.000-08:00

travato

11". 14"

COMING SOON ...

2008-12-12T18:34:00.000-08:00

Thank you for coming to my site! I will be posting all my new art on this page so please check back often