23 - My FASD Feelings Book & Watercolor

Laura Bedard, MFA has been a parent to people with FASD, a Family Navigator at FASD United, and a member of the FASD Affiliate Network. She is also an artist and author. Laura's talents and Laura's compassion go hand-in-hand. In her art, she reflects what she loves about nature, but she also finds so much inspiration from her family and living experiences in the FASD community. This auction item is yet another way Laura dedicates her whole self to advocacy.

This Package includes:

• Framed Original Seahorse Watercolor by Laura Bedard
• A copy of "My FASD Feelings", written and illustrated by Laura Bedard, MFA and her sister Jennifer Robinson, LMHC

This would be a delight for a family with young children with FASD, the waiting room of a clinic servicing children with FASD, or wherever it brings understanding and joy!

Artist Statement:

My work has both a biological and celestial feel. Photographs of worlds that were once invisible to us are what spark that creative section of my brain. We now see images of galaxies and micro worlds that never existed before. I am fascinated by the inner-workings of the body and the micro-universes that inhabit it. Also the spaces around us fascinate me, especially the microscopic and vast universes. In order to create my subtle and shallow spaces, I have carefully worked out a color palette. For the palette, I tend to use subtle ochre s, browns and grays mixed with a hint of warm colors in order to portray the idea of living matter. These natural hues blend perfectly when mixed with lights or darks. The layering and wiping away of color creates the impression of depth. Most of my pieces are warm and fleshy colored giving the sense that they are healthy living organisms. When the viewer looks closely at my work, they will see a variety of colors hidden beneath the top layers. Each of these layers is very subtle, causing each piece to have a very fluid feeling. The surface of my pieces usually holds a great deal of texture. I start off by using ink because I like to begin working with a printed smooth surface. Once the surface is dry I add layers of transparent acrylic paint. The brush strokes from the layers of paint and matte medium create an interesting surface and movement throughout each piece. In between the layers of paint and ink, I collage paper which increases the depth to the piece. The texture from the bits of collage paper also adds more substance. I have been using paper with pieces of bark and other materials embedded in it. In my visual work, my intent is to create a harmonious system of color arrangements that portray subtle atmospheres. The pieces are translucent and portray a vast space. This space is reminiscent of the atmospheres within our bodies and the beauty within each of us. Overall I want my pieces to appear effortlessly made. Unlike Terry Winters artwork, I do not develop a structural analysis of the sphere, but I depict irregular circular shapes. My work is all about the development of interrelationships between these shapes that are varied in scale. Many of my works are quiet and meditative and I want the viewer to pick up on these feelings. I also want them to feel as if the work is reminiscent of†microscopic living matter that has been enlarged.

To explore more of Laura's work, visit her website: LauraBedard.com