A new show at the community pARTners gallery showcases the art of Laureen Johnson. In Awesome Wonder collects pastel works showcasing children and animals as they discover the world around them.
Johnson says that she finds children inspiring, especially when they are learning and discovering the world around them, and her work reflects that. She says that children help her rediscover the world through their eyes, and rediscover the beauty in the world from a fresh perspective, and she tries to reflect that in her work.
"To me, childhood is learning and curiosity. I find that as an adult that all becomes new again seeing it through the eyes of a child. It's almost like living your own experiences again," Johnson says.
That also reflects into her work depicting animals, which also largely features the young. She says that new life and new beginnings are something she likes to explore in her work.
An artist since high school, Johnson has been focused on pastels for her work. She says that it's the freedom of the medium that she enjoys.
"You can take it anywhere, you can do it anywhere... I just need a pad of paper and my pencils and I can do it anywhere."
Johnson says that the community pARTners gallery is amazing for an artist like herself, to show her work and get her name out into the community. As someone who also does commissions and as a new member of the community, Johnson says that it's important to have a venue where she can show what she does and get that exposure to her work.
The show runs for the month of June at the community pARTners gallery in the Yorkton Public Library.
