Laurel Fredin’s love of painting is so strong, she even refreshes the colour on the walls of her home regularly.
“I think it’s just the need to ‘paint’ even if it’s only latex,” said Fredin, who moved to Vernon from Vancouver in 2008 with her family.
“But it seems I always return to watercolour. It’s the soft blends of colour with the water on the paper and knowing the various moments of wet and dry, it all adds to the joy of watercolour.”
Fredin is the Artist of the Month at Nadine’s Fine Arts and Framing for the month of February. While you can check out her work during the entire month, there will be a special open house Feb. 9 from 2-4 p.m.
Read about last month’s artist here
“She is a potter, an artist who paints in watercolour mixed media, birds and nests, little paintings that will be sure to interest art lovers,” said Nadine Wilson, gallery owner. “Laurel has some fantastic original mugs and bowls, which will also be part of her display.”
Always drawing painting and trying anything new and creative, Fredin has considered herself an artist since childhood.
“Naturally, I couldn’t fathom not doing something ‘artistic’ for work and graduated from college with a diploma in both fine arts as well as graphic design and communications,” said Fredin, who pursued a career as a graphic designer, working in a number of top studios in Vancouver, for 20 years.
When she settled in the North Okanagan, she realized how much she missed her fine-arts roots.
“I began dabbling in a number of new areas and tried pin-hole photography, lamp work, glass, mixed media painting, calligraphy and alcohol inks. Although these all brought new energy to my life, I started to focus my energy again in a couple of familiar areas including painting, jewelry making and pottery.”
You may recognize Fredin and her work from Creative Chaos
A love of clay is also evident in Fredin, who teaches beginner pottery at the Vernon Arts Centre.
“I also truly love pottery and find throwing on the potters wheel feels like a home for my soul.”
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jennifer@vernonmorningstar.com
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