Kickstarter

           I have been awarded artist residencies at Grand Canyon National Park and Zion National Park for January and February of 2012. Being an Artist-In-Residence at a National Park means I have a free place to stay in the park, and volunteer status.

          During my stay at Grand Canyon National Park I intend to make drawings from inside the canyon and the basin floor.  At Zion I will also seek the lowlands, rather then the summits. My intent is to give my drawings a submerged perspective, as I prefer a view of the land that makes me feel small.

           I work in two veins: plein air drawings/watercolors, and very large studio drawings. My plein air drawings are all about the chase of trying to record the landscape in its entirety (which is overwhelming and impossible). When making these drawings I act as if I could capture it all, I do not compromise and I leave nothing out. I work quickly to record the landscape. When I lose my place I come up for air and move on to the next drawing. Contrarily, in the studio, my large drawings are a compromise. I use the plein air drawings, photographs and my memory as references to create a composite image – one that recognizes that there are more elements present in the landscape than could ever be represented or recorded.

       During my 2 months in these parks I intend to draw and paint daily. The terrain and its colors will be alien to me, so I anticipate making some dramatic and interesting images. The $1,600 I hope to raise here on kickstarter will be used to purchase art supplies. My shopping cart at Dickblick.com is already full! I have travel and gear expenses as well, so any money raised beyond my goal will go towards those expenses. If you would like to see a list of my expenses please email me (michelelauriat@gmail.com).

      I have set up many "rewards" for donating to my project. All "rewards" will be original, handmade, one of a kind, unframed, works on paper. All will be made in the Grand Canyon National Park or in Zion National Park. (Preferences of one park over another will be honored). All work will be signed and dated on the back – the location where it was made will also be noted. Most line drawings will be monochromatic, but some may include color.

     Please see the links below for more info.

http://www.michelelauriat.com/

http://blog.michelelauriat.com/2011/09/sample-line-drawings.html

http://www.nps.gov/grca/supportyourpark/air.htm

http://www.nps.gov/zion/supportyourpark/artist-in-residence.htm