Laurel Gibson is a professional artist known for both her embroidered works and ceramics.  She has studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, in Avignon and Paris France.  She received a BFA with honors from Northern Arizona University and an MFA from The University of Texas –San Antonio, both with an emphasis in ceramics.  Laurel’s artwork has been featured in national and international publicans and in many group and solo exhibits in Arizona, Texas, Washington, Mississippi, Vermont and Italy.

 

“My artwork reflects my minds ambition to find enlightenment in an imperfect world.  Intense research of philosophies, religions, cultures and physics combine to create unique works of art.  Each artwork has its own story enriched with symbols.  The embroidered designs and ceramic figures encourage the viewer to see how the world is infinitely connected. I create art because I feel a desire to express myself through a visual language.”

 

Several pieces in this exhibit are ceramic and Raku fired.  That is a process where the art is taken out of the kiln while it is 1860 degrees then reduced with paper, leaves and sticks, either in the ground or in a metal can.  The glaze process leaves etchings of whatever was burned onto the piece and brings out flashes of copper and many beautiful colors and textures.