exhibiting artist: Laura Harter

Laura Harter has been actively painting since the early 1980’s as a member of “At The Loft” with other prestigious artists such as Clyde Connell. She earned her MFA from Texas Christian University and her paintings and mixed-media art have been shown in galleries in Texas and Louisiana. Harter’s subject matter for her work is the difference between perception and reality in modern domestic life. Her paintings offer a witty take on the role of women. Currently she is working to balance her creative energy with the needs of raising a family.

Regarding this exhibition, Laura shared, “I enjoyed working with mixed media for this exhibit. I like the concept of realism and that it is flexible because everyone brings their experiential level to the viewer and that’s how they interpret the work. For these new pieces, I’ve been working more experimentally and graphically with paintings and drawings.”

exhibiting artist: Talbot hopkins

Talbot Hopkins has been drawing and painting commissioned portraits for over twenty-five years. She studied art at the University of Texas and taught herself portraiture through detailed analysis of portraits by painters such as Caroline Compton. Beginning her career with works in pencil, Talbot has mastered the media of watercolor, pastel, conte crayon, and oil. In recent years she has worked mostly in oil and pencil.

She has has shows in Shreveport-area galleries that include artspace, Artport, and the Meadows Museum. Her commissioned portraits are are found in collector’s homes in Washington, DC; Seattle, WA; Houston, TX; New Orleans, LA; and Louisville, KY. Her recent work includes oil still lifes, oil portraits, and monochromatic portraits, which are an adventure for her.

exhibiting artist: phyllis pease

A Kansas native, Phyllis Pease began her career in the Arts as a Graphic Design Artist, earring a BFA from Kansas State University. During a six-year stint in Shreveport, she met Laura Harter while working as a freelance designer for Kalmback Advertising. Phyllis and Laura worked together on an installation in downtown Shreveport.

Since reestablishing her her residence in Kansas, Phyllis has created a studio in her home and held several shows in regional galleries, including the Strecker-Nelson gallery in Manhattan, Kansas, and a show in Kansas City at the BNIM Architectural Firm. Her work includes commissioned paintings, furniture and restaurant designs.

Regarding her artwork featured in '“oh, really…” Phyllis shares, “My paintings for this show were inspired by 1950’s Maidenform ads. As with my other paintings, I am inspired by vintage images and love the ones that make me smile; plus, it is great to take black and white images and create large color paintings. This series I named “Fabulous Bumps.” I thought the ads were quite saucy for the 50’s and the whole concept of the advertising campaign was hilarious. Wome'n’s breasts have been squished and pushed into all kinds of shapes and sizes to fit fashion whims.”