Laura Edwards is a self-taught abstract artist who works from her home studio in St. Albert. Working over the pandemic years when her children were home from school inspired a shift in her painting practice from using acrylics and resins to painting with non-toxic natural earth pigments and implementing sustainable studio practices to reduce waste. Edwards has always been creative and grew up in a family of artists, teachers and engineers. She completed a science degree in Environmental and Conservation Science at the University of Alberta and pursued a career in environmental consulting prior to having children. After starting her family, Edwards completed Diplomas in Holistic Nutrition and Homeopathy. She practiced holistic health for several years until deciding in her late thirties to dedicate her time and energy to focusing on home and family and creating fine art. With the recent shift in her studio practices towards sustainability, Edwards mixes her own non-toxic paints much the way the Old Masters did, with simple egg yolk or walnut oil as a binder for the natural earth pigments. She also uses natural gesso, an all-natural surfactant-based acrylic-like medium (no plastics), organic cotton canvas and reuses stretcher bars when possible. Edwards is inspired by slow, intentional living – live music, reading, perusing art galleries, coffee with friends, gardening and daily walks with her husband. The artistic journey itself and the creative process of working through painting challenges also inspires her. Her paintings are expressive yet gentle with bold marks, contrasting colours and soft, refined movement.
