The Art of

Reginald Laurent

The Art of

Reginald Laurent

The Art of

Reginald Laurent

(Foreward continued on next page)

It is as pleasurable to write this foreword as it is to experience the aesthetic and beauty, which Reginald Laurent displays through brilliant color and interesting shapes. I find it best expressed by Georgia O’Keefe when she said, “I found (that) I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say in any other way—things (which) I had no words for.” Color and shapes are but two of the visual elements of art that Laurent uses but he uses them extremely well. For him, they provide a language of his visual and tactile eexperiences in the world. His shapes define his world and reveal it. His color further describes his world and he reveals his worlds to us. His work is linked with all of the emotion of touching with warmth yielding sensations of flesh. He exists in space, he occupies space, and space envelopes him. Time and exposure has allowed him to develop into what he is capable of being and doing. While he is moving through this space, he is able to sense and represent it in his art.

TThis pleasure of describing the work Reginald Laurent is how he uses that element of beauty which reflects the joy of clear conception. He knows that describable art memorizes, enchants, and delights in pleasant translation. This is true because the artist’s concepts of beauty, truth, order, and harmony has occupied his vision for sometime. The creative use of these elements develops his work into an art form, upon receiving, enrich our lives beyond the limits of flesh and blood.

IIn his art, Laurent has always added beauty to the lives of his viewers. Many, many times his work shows that he looks to nature as a standard of beauty and has initiated it. At other times, he has aimed to improve upon nature, thus developing an alternative standard—an idealized form, since standards of beauty, in and of itself, is by no means universal. Like the Classical Greeks, Reginald Laurent is obsessed with the idea of beauty.

AArt is a powerful tool and Laurent knows and expresses it well. He uses it to replicate reality in the finest sense using the eye in perceiving truth in imagination. Although this has been used by other cultures and schools of thought, this artist pursues truth and reveals it in terms of how the environment looks and how he expresses it through his art. When we view his work entitled “Childhood Dreams” we see the beautiful truth, which provides a valid commentary on the human condition.

TThis volume on Laurent’s art serves as a vehicle by which he expresses his innermost fantasies whereas some artist’s labor to reconstruct reality and commemorate actual experiences, Laurent uses his art to give vent to it and, also, to his imaginary inner life. He expresses many types of fantasies such as those found in his dreams and daydreams or simply the objects and landscapes that are conceived in the imagination. Laurent once stated that, “In my drawing and paintings, there is a kind of imagination which has liberated the details of reality in order to allow it to serve freely for the representation of things conceived in the mind.

(continued )

William E. Colvin, EdD.Professor Emeritus and Curator of Arts

National Center for the Study of Civil Rights

Laurent’s creation entitled “My World and Welcome to It” exhibits the power as one thinks profoundly and to make a viewer feel deeply. His beautiful works of various media can trigger many associations and relations to the viewer’s experiences. Whether we gaze upon his abstract paintings that may remind one of a special experience or challenge one’s grasp of geometry or a quilt that evokes family ties and traditions, it is almost impossible to truly confront a work and remain unaffected.

This is an attempt to explain another one of Laurent’s works in a more detailed manner. Frequently he will use composition, or the arrangement of color and other elemeelements to impose order. Sometimes every shape, every color, every line seems to be placed to lead the eye around the canvas. A base color broadly caresses the canvas which is for contrast, repetition and variety within the diversity is achieved. The painting entitled “I Feel Good” exudes solitude, resulting from the regularity of the compositional elements.

TThe painting entitled “Things My Mother Told Me” is certainly, an interesting array of shapes, lines, colors, and vantage points. The color repetition draws the composition’s parts together—the background is balanced by the touches of red placed in the rhythmic areas about the canvas with a blue strip moving the eye through the composition and beyond. This gives a general feeling of serenity. These paintings are exciting and breaking the bonds of stillness and conveying a strong aesthetic.

IIn this book we will find that the artist has created his language through symbols using his chosen elements—colors and shapes. Through his selection of certain media, he then employs the vision of his chosen elements of art to express themselves through his chosen medium. In their self expression he uses these elements to design his composition of a certain style, form, and content which makes up his language. Again, the language is his means of communicating thoughts and feelings. His art, also, possesses a performing “vocabulary” of visual elements that combines the message of his art with principles of design. Here you will explore Laurent’s vocabulary or his basic visual elemeor his basic visual element which he uses in his language of art to communicate the content in his works of art.

In conclusion, we will think seriously about what the artist is doing, how he thinks, and absorb the feelings expressed in his art. We will reflect on the purposes of the artist and we will seek to trace the sources of our own emotional response, advance our self knowledge, and our knowledge of the outside world.

“The seeds for the inspiration in my paintings were planted early in my life. I often see remnants of my childhood in my paintings.”

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“I really do care where my paintings end up living. These works are like my children, and I want them to always be loved and appreciated. It bothers me when I sell a work of art without meeting the buyer. It’s like someone has a piece of my soul, and I don’t have the benefit of knowing who itwho it is.”

INNERVISIONSTHE ART OF REGINALD LAURENT

“For me it’s all about color, balance, shapes and movement.”

Make it Funky24x6 Hexagon, (2) 24x3 Triangles Acrylic on canvas 2006

Childhood Dreams60x72 Acrylic on canvas 2005

My World and Welcome to it46” Convexo Acrylic on canvas 2006

Detail

My World & Welcome To It8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 30, 36, 40, 46 Convexo Acrylics on canvas 2006

“I’m not sure if people understand that I don’t have a choice in regards to painting. This is something I have to do. I am lucky to have found my true purpose.”

“I think it is a wonderful gift to be able to inhabit this earth. I feel like my paintings are proof that I was here.”

I Feel Good (2)12x72x2.5 Acrylic on wood 2006

Things My Mother Told Me18x6 Hexagon Acrylic on canvas 2005

Mental Menagerie48x36 Acrylic on Canvas 1996

“I shunned having a ‘signature style’ for many years for fear that I would only be known for creating one style of art. I now wholly embrace what I have found as truly mine.”

Journey to Me48x60 Acrylic on canvas 2003

“Larry Walker gets credit for steering my career in the right direction. He was the juror for a show I was in, and after placing a ribbon on a painting called ‘Mental Menagerie”, he pulled me to the side and told me that I need to pursue my signatlure style be-cause it was totally unique. I took his advice. He was right.”

Eclipse22x30 Acrylic on paper 2007

Awakening22x30 Acrylic on paper 2007

Emotions48x48 Acrylic on canvas 2001

Vibe Squared48x48 Acrylic on Canvas 2002

“There is a zone an artist gets in from time to timethat can’t be explained. At that point painting becomes an becomes an out-of-body experience that I witness from afar. I have stood before many of my paintings as if I have seen them have seen them for the first time, and with no recollection of being a participant in the process.”

71st & Halsted24x48 Acrylic on canvas 2003

Private Collection

Four Seasons quatriptych(4) 12x12x2 Acrylic on wood 2007

Winter Spring Summer Fall

“I often wonder what the last work of art that comes off my easel will look like. Only time will tell as I plan to paint until I can no longer hold a brush.”

“Part of the beauty of me being self-taught is that I don’t have the voice of a teacher in my head telling me what to do. Instead I think God guides my hand and chooses the colors. . .I really do.”

Wisdom24x48 Acrylic on canvas 2008

When I Think Love24x36 Acrylic on canvas 2004

Creole in My Soul 24x36x3.5 Acrylic on canvas 2003

Martini Bar24x30 Acrylic on Canvas 2003

Diamond in the Rough48x60 Acrylic on canvas 2003

Recess 48x60 Acrylic on canvas 2003 Private collection

Sometimes I Miss Home 30x30x3 Acrylic on canvas 2007007

City Vibes26x38 Pastels & acrylic on paper

1997

Nigerian Mask I & II21x27.5 Acrylic on paper & wood 1996

Sunrise Solo36x48 Acrylic on canvas 200303

Jazzman II36x48 Pastels on paper 1997

Jazzstract48x60 Acrylic on canvas 2001

“If I am listening to music while painting, often notes, melodies and words will appear in my painting via strokes or even color.”

Nigerian Mask Pedestal & Painting26x36, 12x12x38Acrylic on burlap 1996

Intoxicated Pedestal & Painting12x12x38, 24x30Acrylic on canvas

Passion Pedestal & Painting24x30, 12x12x38Acrylic on canvas 2004

The Hunt24x30 Acrylic on canvas board 1994

Life Force24x30 Acrylic on canvas board 1994

All Things James 12x48x2.5

Acrylic on canvas 2007

“I have no concept of time when I paint. Hours go by in what seems to be minutes. Manynights I struggle with having to put my paint brush down.”

Time diptych18x18x18Acrylic on canvas 2006

Unfinished Business I 36x48 Acrylic on canvas 1986“The biggest challenge in creating abstract art is knowing when to put the brush down. The chance to go too far looms large, and many great pieces have been compromised because I didn’t know when to stop.”

Unfinished Business II24x30 Acrylic on canvas 1987

(9) 12x12 VariousAcrylic on canvas

House of Love48x48 Acrylic on canvas 2009

Seeds of Wisdom18.5x 25 Acrylic & Pastel on

paper

Friday Afternoon 18.5x25 Acrylic on paper

2002

Confetti24x30 Acrylic on canvas 1994

Out of Control22x30 Acrylic on canvas 1991

A Better Place 48x60 Acrylic on canvas Private Collection

World Wide Web48x48 Acrylic on canvas 2008

“Knowing that Michael Jordan owns one of my paintings is probably the coolest thing I could imagine. Knowing that he actually loves the painting is the ultimate.”

MJ “Laurent Style” 48x48 Acrylic on Canvas 2007

From the Collection of Michael J. JordanChicago, IL

Jumpman “Laurent Style” MuralAcrylic on Concrete 2007

Private Collection

MJ “Laurent Style” Mural Detail of footPrivate Collection 2007

Calypso Beat I and II Diptych 12x24 Acrylic on Canvas 2004

Island Dance Triptych12x36, 24x36, 12x36Acrylic on canvas 2004

Forced Integration48x48 Acrylic on canvas 1996

“If I were only allowed to have 2 colors to create with, they would be black and white. I can always make them exist harmoniously on canvas or paper. Too bad life isn’t that simple.”

After the Storm20” Round convexoAcrylic on canvas 2007Private Collection

The Hit Factory22x30 Mixed media charcoal 1997

The Architect 22x30 Charcoal & graphite 1997

Meet Me at the Playground22x30 Mixed media charcoal 1997

Outer City Dreams22x30 Mixed media charcoal 1997

Demolition30x36 Acrylic on canvas 1991

“There is a piece of my soul in every work of art I create. I am documenting a time and a mood that can’t be duplicated or recaptured.”

Free Your Mind 36x48 Acrylic on canvas 2007

Pedestal of Shame II12x12x24 Acrylaic on canvas

1994

Pedestal of Equal Opportunity12x12x36 Acrylic on canvas

Hide and Go Seek24x24x3 Acrylic on canvas 2003

“There is a visual romance that takes place when paint starts to blend and form shapes and new colors. Everything must ‘marry’ well in order to be effective.”

Ingredients of Love24x24x3.5 Acrylic on canvas 2003

Sunday After Church18x24 Pastels on paper

1997

After Dinner Stroll 18x24 Acrylic on paper

Joyful Noise15x22 Acrylic on paper 1996

When Roses Speak24x30 Acrylic on canvas 2001

Private Collection

Signs of Love16x20 Acrylic on canvas 2005

Funky Town 24x48

Acrylic on canvas 2004

Wine & Song21x28.5 Acrylic on paper 2003

In Time 28x37 Pastels on paper 1997

Love’s Language22x30 Acrylic on paper 2007

Flirtation30x40 Acrylic on canvas 2007

Art Deco Pedestal12x12x37 Acrylic on canvas

1992

Strawberry Shortcake Pedestal12x12x37 Acrylic on Canvas

2001

The Calm12x12x37 Acrylic on canvas

2002

Laurent Souffle Pedestal 12x12x37 Acrylic on canvas

1994

Rainbow Soul8, 12, 16, 20, 24 Convexo Acrylics on canvas 2005

Rainbow Soul24” Convexo Acrylic on canvas 2005

Me and My Thoughts6x12 Acrylic on canvas board 2005

Perfect Sunday 6x12 Acrylic on canvas board 2005

Bubblegum24x30 Acrylic on canvas board 1995

“I have never scrapped a piece of canvas.”

Palette Scraps20x24 Acrylic on canvas board 1994

28548x60 Acrylic on canvas 1996

“A big, blank canvas is like a giant playground for me that I can run around on all day, never get tired and always have fun.”

A Little Less Funky 12x6 Hexagon, 12x3 TrianglesAcrylic on canvas Triptych 2006

Metro28x21 Acrylic on paper 1996

“I tend to use brighter colors when I am happy, and darker ones when my mood is melancholy.”

Moodswings I/Moodswings II Diptych12x24x3 Acrylic on canvas 2007

Sunset Mood48x60 Acrylic on Canvas 2003

Da Juke Joint’s Jammin’22x30 Acrylic on paper 2007

“I always wait until morning before declaring a work of art fin-ished. The early morning eye and dawn of a new day has a way of making me see things differently from what I saw the night before. ”

Melancholy Mood22x30 Acrylic on paper 2007

Out of Excuses22x30 Acrylic on paper 2007

“Quite often I paint in silence. The sound of the brush dancing and sliding on the canvas is a background noise that speaks to me in a language I fully understand.”

Love at First Sight 22x30 Acrylic on paper 2007

Prelude To Love 22x30 Acrylic on paper 2007

Enjoying the Quiet22x30 Acrylic on paper 2007

Waterfalls22x30 Acrylic on paper 2007

Paradise Cove36x36 Acrylic on canvas 2003

Fall By the Sea20x30 Acrylic on canvas 1991

Weekend18x18x3 3D acrylic 2003

Private Collection

Sunday Social18x18x3 Acrylic on Canvas 2003

Private Collection

(8) Various 5x7 Acrylic on canvas board 2009

Concert in the Park24x30 Acrylic on canvas board

Atlantica Avenue22.5 x 30.5 Acrylic on paper 2007

End of the Day 21.5x28.5 Acrylic on paper 2001

One Fine Day13.5x20.5 Acrylic on paper 1996

Haywire24x30 Mixed media 1992

“I like the fact that I can create a simplistic expression or a detailed signature rendering and they are equally accepted by the viewer. The only difference is the amount of time I spend creating them.”

Pick Up Sticks12x16 Acrylic on canvas 1992

Jazzy Mood I & II diptych13.5x20.5 Acrylic on paper 2007

Private Collection

Jazzy Mood I & II diptych13.5x20.5 Acrylic on paper 2007

Private Collection

16 Piece Installation12x12 Acrylic on canvas

“The paintings I have created on my mental hard drive haunt me. Imagine what it’s like to see a work of art in your head you have yet to create, but know you have to do it at some time. The list gets longer every day, and my days are getting shorter.”

“The journey of an artist has many twists and turns. I appreciate the many roads my brush has been down and I look forward to the roads it has yet to travel. The best thing is that no matter where my brush may travel, it always finds its way back home to my signature style. This is where I shine!”

Self-Portrait II40x60 Acrylic on canvas 2008

Laurent at work on Self-portrait 2008