Layered Humanity: Meet Visual Artist Laura Hunt

Laura Hunt's artistic journey began at age 16 when she responded to a “Draw Me Talent Test” ad. After working as a graphic designer for 30 years, the native Texan now focuses on the human form as she explores the nuances of emotion through portraiture and figurative art. 

Moments and Postures

Laura starts her creative process by carefully observing daily life, capturing moments and postures in a small sketchbook. She uses a variety of reference materials, including posed sessions with friends, spontaneous snapshots, and vintage photographs. “Most Handsome Sophomore 1973” (above) is a painting from her series “The Yearbook Revisited,” depicting the dreams and angst of young people coming of age. 

As Laura digitally edits photos to accentuate contrast and simplify shapes, those images become her new reference. She then applies layers of vibrant acrylic underpainting onto cradled wood panels, often incorporating patterned paper or torn maps for texture and depth. This foundation peeks through the final piece to enliven the composition. She further abstracts the subject by scraping paint across the surface, focusing on emotional resonance over visual fidelity.

Enter Frame Destination

Laura really loves Frame Destination for our canvas floater frames. She found inspiration for her piece titled "Family of Origin" (below, right) from a family archive photo, using a muted palette to create a nostalgic feel. The vintage silver of our Canvas Floater Frame Optional Metallic Finish F306 visually complements the art. The other two works, “She’s Already Made Up Her Mind” and “Before I Knew Her” (below, left) are presented in our Natural Wood Grain Canvas Floating Frame F536, the black frames enhancing the deep blacks of the paintings.

See More of Laura’s Work

Discover Laura’s diverse portfolio at LauraHuntArt.com, featuring Figures & Faces along with Contemporary Landscapes, Small Works, Large Works and more. For insight into her impactful collaboration with a local homeless coalition — and to learn which app she uses to create digital work — be sure to check out our Q&A section below.

Now for Artie’s Eight Q&A with Laura Hunt …

1. What is your background; how did you get started?

My art career began at age 16 when I responded to a “Draw Me Talent Test,” an advertisement placed in a farm magazine by Art Instruction Schools in Minneapolis. I spent over 30 years as a graphic designer, although I managed to continue doing personal work in pastel portraiture, cut paper illustration, greeting card design, and textiles. During that time, I honed my design skills to market my clients’ businesses. My focus shifted in 2013 when I sold my business, affording me the time and space to concentrate on my fine art studio practice. Now, rather than creating to help market products and services, my purpose is to elevate the lives of those touched by my art. I work in acrylics, mixed, and digital media. My focus has been on contemporary figurative work, but I have recently added landscapes and still life to my repertoire.

2. What role do you think the artist plays in society?

I believe artists’ role in society is to reflect, interpret, comment on, and even confront the culture. In doing so, we spark meaningful conversations. The focus is up to individual artists; our unique sensibilities guide us in the direction that is most expressive for us. However, all voices have a place, and together, they are powerful.

3. What has been a formative experience or the best advice you’ve received within your career?

I did not have the benefit of formal training nor exposure to museums, art books, or galleries in my youth. Back then, visual accuracy seemed like the sign of a good artist. I gradually outgrew that definition and realized that expressiveness, voice, and technique come uniquely from within each artist. Along the way, I heard this: “Be yourself and keep growing.” That advice has been transformative for me.

4. In what ways does your work reflect your personality?

I need structure and spontaneity both inside and outside the studio. My paintings reflect those aspects of my personality. My choice of subjects reveals my interests and passions—human connections to each other and exploring the meaning of life through figurative paintings, landscapes, and meaningful objects.

5. Creative blocks, do you get them? If so, how do you overcome them?

I seldom have creative blocks. There are more ideas for paintings than I will ever be able to execute. Because of that, I can be overwhelmed by the choices before me. When that happens, I remember what a mentor once said: “Just pick something.” I must trust that whatever the choice, it’s the right one for that moment.

6. What is your most indispensable tool? (Not counting the obvious, like paints, brushes, canvas, camera, etc.)

My iPad. It allows me to crop and manipulate an image and display it as a painting reference. I’ve also used it to test different solutions when encountering problems with an easel painting. I can photograph the painting in progress and then take it into Procreate to make adjustments that don’t impact the actual artwork. Procreate is also the app I use to create digital work.

7. Do you have a new project you are working on, or a new passionate idea?

I am passionate about projects that connect with the community. In 2022, I collaborated with Tarrant County Homeless Coalition to create 27 portraits of people who had recently been without shelter. I interviewed and photographed each subject. Then, I wrote their stories from the point of view of their own voices as best I could. The project culminated in "Our Community, Our Neighbors," an exhibit that helped raise awareness about homelessness, raise funds, and connect viewers with the subjects. I am looking for another organization to partner with.

8. What is your favorite color to incorporate into your art?

I’m color agnostic, but I do favor the warmer side of the color palette. I recently painted a still life/mixed media piece of a baby dress my mother had saved, taking the opportunity to work with variations of Peach Fuzz, Pantone’s 2024 color of the year. It was the ideal background for a very nostalgic piece. It’s good for me to try colors that I wouldn’t ordinarily use.

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Last Updated July 1, 2024