Laura Feeleus

Welcome to the updated webpage of Laura Feeleus.
Her solo show at Martin Batchelor Gallery happened exactly two years ago.
This update webpage shows her new works and installation pieces with the artist on site.
Laura’s exhibition titled “goodbye...hello” runs July 6-22 at arc-hive.
Arc-hive is an artist run centre, located at 2516 bridge street.
Hours: Sat-Sun 12-5pm.

Laura Feeleus in family room installation at arc-hive. 2018

New Tulips, acrylic on canvas, 24 x 36 in 2018

Kindergarden I, acrylic & mixed media on canvas, 10.5 x 10.5 in, 2018.

Kindergarden II, acrylic & mixed media on canvas, 10.5 x 10.5 in, 2018

Abundance of Thrift, hand-stitched vintage linen, 32 x 42 in, 2017-18.

Bellis Domestica, acrylic on canvas, 24 x 31 in, 2018.

Suitcase of Goodbyes, sculpture using found objects, 18 x 24 in, 2017.

Free Air
Work by Laura Feeleus July 9 - August 4 2016 at Martin Batchelor Gallery

After many years of professional life in Victoria, Laura Feeleus started art classes in her late 40’s. “I followed Wendy Welch all around town,” she says, “until she started the Vancouver Island School of Art (VISA) in 2004.” Feeleus enrolled and graduated with a Diploma of Fine Arts in 2010. She took all the required courses including art history and drawing but found she hated painting. “I had the finished product firmly in mind,” she says, “but it never turned out how I wanted.”

Haute Couture, 24x24 in, oil & cold wax, mixed media, 2016.

Open Door Gros Morne, 24x24, oil & cold wax, 2016

Gradually, Feeleus began to connect with the more intuitive energy of the right brain. She started each painting with collaged elements on her ground, then worked and reworked layers of paint until stories and emotions stirred into life. Her process is one of hiding and re-discovering, using colours, textures, composition and tools. Now Feeleus agrees with the advice given by artist/educator Chuck Close: “All the best ideas come out of the process; they come out of the work itself. Things occur to you...then something else you reject will push you in another direction.”

The artist has travelled widely and a recent tour of friendly Newfoundland inspired Open Door Gros Morne. (Above)
Her upbringing on the prairies spawned some of the imagery in Prairie Lines. (Below right) During several trips to Europe (beginning in 2003) she visited famous galleries including the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Tate Modern in London and the Louvre in Paris. “It’s one thing to see a painting in a book,” she says, “but to stand in front of an original piece is a profound experience. They pulse with life and energy.”

Laura Feeleus with Sea Town, 24x24 in, oil & cold wax, mixed media 2016

Prairie Lines, 24x24 in, oil & cold wax, 2016

Since graduating in 2010, Feeleus has been active in group and solo shows. These include the Slide Room Gallery at VISA, the Portals Gallery in Duncan, a VISA alumni show at Winchester Gallery, and a cross-Canada touring exhibition with the Surface Design Association. Wendy Welch, Director of the Vancouver Island School of Art, comments on her former student’s latest paintings. Welch sees a level of confidence that comes from 10-15 years of working. After graduation, it often takes a student a while to find their own voice. “So it’s great to see Laura develop as an artist,” she says. The director admires the refined sensibility in the paintings, sculptural qualities and freshness of colours in works like Haute Couture. (Above)

Website, quadriptych, 20x20 in, encaustic, mixed media, 2016

Marking the Light, 24 x 24 in, oil & cold wax, 2016

Looking closely at Website (above) shows the variety of methods and media employed. The challenging medium of encaustic (tinted molten wax) creates the layers of pigment. Pages from a book are adhered to the cradle board, with some words circled. Random numbers and hand-written lists encourage the viewer to zoom in and investigate. (The artist’s love of text could be linked to her Library Science degree from the University of Alberta.) Grid patterns, rectangles and squares emerge from a ghostly ochre-layered background. Three squares of the quadriptych are connected loosely with a dark uneven line. An oblong insect body and red square connect the eye through colour association.

Nayarit, 24x24 in, oil & cold wax, 2016

Anamnesis, 24x24 in, oil & cold wax, 2016

Feeleus’ painting career was boosted by a Cold Wax Oil Painting workshop with Lisa Pressman in 2015. Pressman is a well-known abstract artist with thirty years experience in various styles. Cold wax mixes Gamblin Artist Oil Colours with a waxy substance. The result is a rainbow of hues the consistency of icing. “The way this paint layers is remarkable,” she says, “I had an aha! moment about technique and renewed confidence in my abilities.” Her technique now includes sgraffito, the process of scraping back layers of paint with various tools. All this activity requires a strong working surface that the artists finds in cradle boards (reinforced wooden structures). The finished edges of the cradle boards lend a sculptural element to the artworks, which echo her contemporary textile work with the Surface Design Association.

Laura Feeleus welcomes interest in her work. Email lauramfeeleus@gmail.com or visit laurafeeleus.ca

Some comments from friends and colleagues at the July 9 opening follow:

Leslie McBain is drawn to the sombre and mysterious tones in these two acrylic paintings. She’s intrigued by the ghostly figures and edgy mood. Leslie and Laura became friends while working on the Hope Bay Store rebuild on Pender Island. This community restoration project began in 2003 and won an award upon completion. “I am so impressed by Laura’s wonderful series of paintings,” says Leslie.
“My friend is brave and the paintings are beautiful.”

Colleen Kerr is a graduate of the Alberta College of Art and Design with a wealth of experience in painting, text and fine art jewelry. She appreciates the truth and sincerity of Laura’s paintings. “On the surface they appear clear,” she says, “but looking closer, many layers and complexities unfold.” Colleen appreciates the textural relationships and diverse mediums used by the artist to engage the viewer and tell stories.

Jenn Wilson has a Diploma of Fine Art from VISA and a BFA from the University of Gloucestershire. She’s in a critique group with Laura and several other VISA grads. Jenn commends Laura for painting her personal history without overloading the content. This opens up the narrative for interpretation, offering universal themes and metaphors. “Laura is working through issues,” says Jenn, “she is excavating, digging deep, using her process to sort and discover.”

Lesley Turner and Laura Feeleus are both members of the Vancouver Island Surface Design Association. (VISDA)
In this painting Lesley sees patterns found in Laura’s textile work. “Some textured areas look like cloth,” she says, “while others appear cut away, then stitched back together.” The hot colours and heart shape in the painting sing out with love, she notes. And the generous proportions of the painting convey lots of warmth.

Closing Party on July 30, 2016:
Friends and family gathered at the Martin Batchelor Gallery to celebrate Laura’s successful exhibition on July 30.
The party was hosted by Terry Loeppky and Dorothy Rich, and catered by Juma. Wendy Welch, Director of the Vancouver Island School of Art (VISA) spoke on the importance of art education in our lives. A portion of sales during the evening went to support VISA.

Wendy Welch, Director of the Vancouver Island School of Art

Mike Fooks, son of Laura Feeleus and Court Fooks.

Hosts Terry Loeppky and Dorothy Rich

Festivities at Martin Batchelor Gallery on July 30

Laura Feeleus welcomes interest in her work. Email lauramfeeleus@gmail.com or visit laurafeeleus.ca

Web Design, Content and Selected Photos
by Kate Cino
An arts writer published in Focus,
Yam and Boulevard.
She has a History in Art degree and Public Relations certificate from UVic.