(Image: "First Sail" by Laurie Hadlock)

Laurie Hadlock received her BFA from the Maine College of Art and studied at the Maine Photographic Workshop in Rockport. She has exhibited in areas as diverse as South Carolina and Italy and of course, here in Maine. Her inspiration comes from other artists including Richard Diebenkorn, Milton Avery, Wil Barnet, Ashley Bryan, Imogen Cunningham; the nature that surrounds her; and the support of her family. Laurie says, “It’s not always easy to get to that place where you can go heart to hand. It’s the best. What’s left on the canvas is honesty. I relate it to letting down your guard, no facade, like a musician that can somehow get up on stage and miraculously remove the audience. They lay their soul out there and sing or play directly from their heart. It’s gutsy and beautiful.”

When did you first realize that you were going to be an artist and when did you first start making art?
I can't remember not thinking I was going to be an artist or not making art... although being an artist was a tie with being an actress for awhile and both occupations were subtly discouraged by my parents.

Who or what inspires you?
Anyone who creates from their soul--honest, true, direct, sometimes risky... as I wrote on my site "I relate it to letting down your guard, no facade, like a musician that can somehow get up on stage and miraculously remove the audience. They lay their soul out there and sing or play directly from their heart. It’s gutsy and beautiful." I think Richard Diebenkorn and Milton Avery were able to do it in painting. For "what" inspires me, beauty in nature--maybe a leafless trees against an open snowy field, a northwest breeze leaving a chop on the water, a crow calling to me...not that I get a desire to paint these things, but the essence of the place/what I'm feeling when I'm seeing it.

(Image: "Leaving" by Laurie Hadlock)

Is (was) anyone else in your family in the arts?
No.

Are you self-trained or did you go to art school?
I am a 1987 graduate of PSA (now Maine College of Art)--great and inspiring faculty and program!

Is the process of creating your art long or short?
Mmm... it can go either way. Sometimes I get this idea that keeps evolving and changing in my head as I lay in bed or drive the car or sketch and before I know it, it's become this complicated painting or print that, when I begin it, is not working and I have to keep eliminating and reworking it until I'm where I really want to be. Other times I begin a piece and it flows immediately, heart to hand... magic.

(Image: "Skylight" by Laurie Hadlock)

Tell us something about your work.
I work in many different mediums --oil, acrylic, printmaking, photography... I came close to majoring in sculpture even... but it all works. I used to fight it and think I had to decide, but the change keeps me excited. Whatever it is I'm working on, I want it to be deeply personal and yet leave some of the story untold, some mystery, let others relate to my work in a personal way for them.

Do you have a subject matter that defines you as an artist?
I hope not. I always want to remain open -- not be locked in. I know some people think of me as an artist who paints "watery" somewhat abstract landscapes, but I think that may be just what they like of what I do. I really do so much more.

What makes you stay with a particular subject matter? Why are you drawn to it?
If it stirs me, sings out! It could be any subject really, but if I have a strong reaction, feel emotion, then I'm driven/compelled to create.

How do you stay motivated?
It's an energy that doesn't leave me, but if I do get sidetracked with necessary chores or have "painter's block", usually my husband or my children are right there with honest encouragement and enthusiasm. Also I'm currently half way through a year of posting a painting/message a week on my site. It has been hugely healthy for me to have this goal and the response has been wonderful.

(Image: "Clouds Over MDI" by Laurie Hadlock)

What have you been working on lately? Are you experimenting with anything new?
In the past year, I have been experimenting with printmaking-- foam core etchings, wood cuts, and lithography. I love the element of surprise and the depth you can achieve with printmaking. And the black ink has a crossover for me with the way I feel with b&w photography. You cannot rely on color for your composition; it has to stand on its own. Lovely. I also just stood in front of a Louise Nevelson portrait she had painted (at the Farnsworth). Wow, I drove home with paintings flooding through me of my daughter and son. I've painted them before, but I had these new images, almost life size that I was painting (in my head). I need to get some large panels!

Has your medium changed from when you first started out?
Yes, I mentioned the many medium struggle/now not struggle above.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Don't ever try to replicate what you're seeing. It will be emotionless.

What kind of comment do you despise the most when overheard at one of your openings?
Oh, thankfully I haven't heard any. Some people have said things like "that has a Diebenkorn feeling" or "you are sort of a cross between Milton Avery and Fairfield Porter"... wow, powerful comparisons! I think we (artists) have to be prepared to be compared because it's natural for viewers to connect you to something familiar to them. Fortunately, it's usually artists I like.

What kind of comment pleases you the most when overheard at one of your openings?
I love it when someone comes up to me at a later date and says they couldn't get a painting out of their mind. If it has that kind of power and they relate to the energy, I'm pleased.

(Image: "Nearing F Core" by Laurie Hadlock)

How have you handled the business side of being an artist?
I have done freelance work for other people/businesses to help them market themselves and it has seemed effortless. The ideas come and I "sell" their product with ease. For me, it's different. I want my work to speak for itself, but at the same time, I have to get it out there so people are exposed to it and that is "business". It's not easy. It takes courage too.

Do you have any outside interests other than art?
Oh, many! Running, sailing, swimming, cross skiing, writing, rowing, being with my family, watching my son play lacrosse, my daughter ski race... the outside/athletic things keep me energized, my family brings a peace and warmth.

Are you disciplined about your creative process (in other words, do you treat the process like a job, where you keep particular hours in the studio), or are you more spontaneous?
I try to stick to a schedule each day. My studio is part of our house (an ell between our main house and our barn). It's so easy to put down the brush and go throw a load of laundry in or unload the dishwasher... you have to pretend you're NOT in the house some days or you will not be able to go deep, immerse yourself in a piece. I try to have things in order in the house before I begin working so they don't distract me.

How would your life change if you were no longer allowed to create art?
I cannot imagine it really.

(Image: "Moon Light" by Laurie Hadlock)

What's the best part of being a full time, working artist?
It brings happiness. We should all be happy with what we do in life, but I know that's not always the case. I feel incredibly lucky.

What's the worst part of being a full time, working artist?
The unpredictability of making a living as an artist can be very stressful and difficult.

Do you have any upcoming shows?
I am currently planning to host a gala late fall show with a couple other artists. It's something I've been wanting to do, partly to say thank you to many people for their support of my work. I want it to be a festive eve in a relaxed unique setting!

Where can we find your work?
Maine Cottage in Yarmouth will be hanging some pieces in the next two weeks. My website is a nice place to walk through (www.lauriehadlock.com). I designed it and maintain it myself and think it shows my work well as well as having some fun surprises. I welcome visits to my small studio on the hill if you call to be sure I'm here. I also send out a weekly post to anyone who would like to be on my list or they can subscribe through my site.

- Brenda Bonneville, editor

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wfh 2010-09-01 10:14:30 Nice Job!

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