Artist Statement

Artist Statement

Nonconformity was a “hip” movement that contributed to the “Modern Art” scene. However, it has in fact become the very thing it was in opposition to; conformity. And today, the real nonconformists are the ones being denied equality within the art scene. This is unfortunate I think. These gatekeepers have caused an inbreeding of ideas which have become mundane. Within the musical world, all genres are accessible and accepted. Why can’t this be the case in the visual arts scene? 

I can’t say definitively what led us to not being able to coexist. Perhaps, what I’ve read about the CIA wanting to devalue and defund the Soviet Union’s Representational Art scene, during the Cold War has merit? Supposedly, this was done by promoting the “modern art” scene. Another possible reason for “modern art” dominance; if you have uninteresting artwork in the workplace, it won’t interfere with productivity.

But, I think monetary conscripts by the wealthy who buy this type of art, purely as an investment and then falsely inflate the value, and conflate the provenance by parking it in their freeports, has created a false narrative that “modern art” is somehow more valuable. Yet, when presented with representational Art, the masses prefer art that speaks to them. This includes; Lowbrow, Pop Surealism, Classical Realism, Dark, Illustration, and Portrait Art.

My journey does not begin with Art school at a university, because they were either unwilling to or unable to teach painting, realistically anymore. In 1979, I was told that no one was painting realism these days. I guess they had never heard of Harvey Dinnerstein, I certainly had not. He and several Artists in NYC were still painting realism or representational artwork. Needless to say, I was not interested in Modern Art. I wanted to paint like the old Masters that I was familiar with at the museums! Did you know that gazing upon a realistically, rendered portrait releases endorphins?

And so, my advice to you, should you be interested in this style of representational or realism art; would be to seek out an Atelier, either here in the US or abroad. This will really give you or improve your drawing, painting, and sculpting. Then when you have the skill, you can apply it any way that you like. A good place to start in researching Ateliers would be the Art Renewal Center. 

Happy Painting!

~ Laura Atkins ~