laurelart.statement

Artist Statement

Alabaster Sculptures: Transitions of Flight

The inspiration of my sculptural work is based on the theme of the eagle as a representation of strength, and its transition from non-flight to flight as the battle within ones self to define who they are. I have always been enamored with the concept of flight and the vast power of nature.

The eagle epitomizes precisely that, a natural form with the ability to fly. I am in awe of the simplistic beauty of the eagle and I try to capture its most essential form. I try to bring forth its importance through the changing states of non-flight to flight. This parallels any human's life and the transitions therein.

I attempt to show the viewer the various stages of non-flight to flight and occasionally the struggle that the eagle must endure to achieve this transition. I feel that the simplified form is the best way for me to suggest meaning to the viewer, but they are essentially free to decide what the sculpture means on a more personal level.

Laurel in the process of sculpting

"Transcendence"

Watercolor Paintings

My watercolor paintings are generally depictions of landscapes or natural forms that I find intriguing. Generally, they are from the southwest United States based on the traveling that I have done in that area of the country.

Ceramic Sculpture

My ceramic work is usually whimsical in nature. I tend to combine thrown and hand-built pieces of work into a creature or human form, usually inspired by imagry of the southwest.

Artist Bio

I was born in the countryside of Wisconsin, surrounded by a beautiful, natural environment with a long distance between my house and our closest neighbors. I have many fond memories of this beautiful area. There were apple trees over the hill where I could always find a feast. We used to pick morel mushrooms in the forest that my mother would sauté as a special treat. My brother and I spent many hours finding arrowheads in the brook near our home and each time we found one we would think of the legend of our new treasures as we watched the silent soaring of an eagle overhead. Having moved away from this area in Wisconsin, we were relocated to North Carolina and then later, Connecticut where the natural environment has been replaced by many homes and buildings leaving little room for the animals and trees.

My interest in nature and especially the eagle was recaptured when at the age of sixteen I had a flight lesson at a small local airport. As I flew the plane, I was amazed at the power I felt. That feeling is present when I see that same power in nature... the strength of an eagle in flight. The symbol of the eagle, epitomizes my love of nature and flight.

I have always been in awe of the importance of nature in the Native American traditions. Because our feelings for nature are so similar, the symbolism in my artwork tends to take on the qualities of this culture. I feel that the Native American adoration of nature, and mine with the flight of the eagle results in a strong connection. I use the various stages of non-flight to flight to represent the strength within oneself... a transition through life.

I attended college at the University of Connecticut. I majored in English, but always made it a point to take art, at least one class a semester. In my junior year of college I decided that I would like to become an art teacher, mainly due to the continual need I had to create and also because I often found myself helping others in class working on their artwork. I was able to help them see things differently and interpret that into visual form.

Upon graduating from UCONN I went to Central Connecticut State University and attained a B.S. in Art Education. I have been working in the Simsbury Public School system for the past 8 years. First teaching elementary art for 2 years and presently teaching middle school for the past 6 years. I also received a Master's degree from Central Connecticut State University for Sculpture. A 6th-year degree (30 credits beyond the Masters) at CCSU and the University of New England for Education and Sculpture. I have also received a 7th-year degree from the University of New England and Wesleyan University for Education.

Presently, I am married with two daughters, 4 years old and 20 months old. I teach 7th and 8th grade at Henry James Memorial School in Simsbury, CT. I also serve as a BEST Portfolio Scorer, Table Leader and Scorer Trainer for Art Education in the State of Connecticut. During the summer I often travel to the southwestern United States where I gain inspiration for my artwork in a variety of media but mainly sculpture, ceramics and watercolor.

Exhibitions for Laurel Archambault

"Faculty Show" Simsbury High School Atrium...Simsbury, CT November 2002

"Exposures" Juried Photography Show West Hartford Art League...W. Hartford, CT February, 2001

"VISIONS Professional Art Education Magazine" COVER ARTIST for CAEA-Connecticut Art Education Association Spring 2000

"Prints and Stone" Manchester Tech. College...Manchester, CT June 1999

"Prints and Stone Preview Show" Henry James Gallery, HJ Memorial School...Simsbury, CT May 1999

"And Then There Were Three" Sculpture Show CCSU Downstairs Gallery...New Britain, CT 1998

"Infinite Number of Forms" Sculpture Show; Central Connecticut State University Downstairs Gallery...New Britain, CT 1997

"Educators As Artists" Canton Gallery on the Green...Canton, CT June 1996

"Sculpture At Large" Sculptural Grant Exhibition, Samuel S.T. Chen Art Gallery...New Britain, CT 1995-1996

"Oops!" CCSU Downstairs Gallery...New Britain, CT May 1995

"6 x 6 Open Juried Show" Farmington Art Guild...Farmington, CT (Ceramic Sculpure) 1995

"Confrontation" Canton Gallery on the Green...Canton, CT (Photography) August 1995

"Open Juried Show" West Hartford Art League...West Hartford, CT (HONORABLE MENTION-Sculpture) February 1995

"Members Juried Show" West Hartford Art League...West Hartford, CT (FIRST PLACE-Photography) October 1994

"CCSU Juried Art Show" (FIRST PLACE-Crafts)...New Britain, CT Spring 1993

Galleries for Laurel Archambault

"Where ART Thou?" Gallery

2507 11th Street

Columbus, Nebraska 68601

Absolute Arts- World Wide Arts Resources

www.absolutearts.com/portfolios/p/pebbles

Atom Gallery

www.Atomgallery.com

Search keyword "Archambault"

Contact Information

Laurel Archambault

(860) 482-1533

Art Links

Art Class Website-Henry James School

World Wide Arts Resources...Laurel Archambault-Scultptures


*Laurel in the process of sculpting*	*"Transcendence"*

	I was born in the countryside of Wisconsin, surrounded by a beautiful, natural environment with a long distance between my house and our closest neighbors. I have many fond memories of this beautiful area. There were apple trees over the hill where I could always find a feast. We used to pick morel mushrooms in the forest that my mother would sauté as a special treat. My brother and I spent many hours finding arrowheads in the brook near our home and each time we found one we would think of the legend of our new treasures as we watched the silent soaring of an eagle overhead. Having moved away from this area in Wisconsin, we were relocated to North Carolina and then later, Connecticut where the natural environment has been replaced by many homes and buildings leaving little room for the animals and trees.

	My interest in nature and especially the eagle was recaptured when at the age of sixteen I had a flight lesson at a small local airport. As I flew the plane, I was amazed at the power I felt. That feeling is present when I see that same power in nature... the strength of an eagle in flight. The symbol of the eagle, epitomizes my love of nature and flight.
	I have always been in awe of the importance of nature in the Native American traditions. Because our feelings for nature are so similar, the symbolism in my artwork tends to take on the qualities of this culture. I feel that the Native American adoration of nature, and mine with the flight of the eagle results in a strong connection. I use the various stages of non-flight to flight to represent the strength within oneself... a transition through life.
	I attended college at the University of Connecticut. I majored in English, but always made it a point to take art, at least one class a semester. In my junior year of college I decided that I would like to become an art teacher, mainly due to the continual need I had to create and also because I often found myself helping others in class working on their artwork. I was able to help them see things differently and interpret that into visual form.
	Upon graduating from UCONN I went to Central Connecticut State University and attained a B.S. in Art Education. I have been working in the Simsbury Public School system for the past 8 years. First teaching elementary art for 2 years and presently teaching middle school for the past 6 years. I also received a Master's degree from Central Connecticut State University for Sculpture. A 6th-year degree (30 credits beyond the Masters) at CCSU and the University of New England for Education and Sculpture. I have also received a 7th-year degree from the University of New England and Wesleyan University for Education.

	Presently, I am married with two daughters, 4 years old and 20 months old. I teach 7th and 8th grade at Henry James Memorial School in Simsbury, CT. I also serve as a BEST Portfolio Scorer, Table Leader and Scorer Trainer for Art Education in the State of Connecticut. During the summer I often travel to the southwestern United States where I gain inspiration for my artwork in a variety of media but mainly sculpture, ceramics and watercolor.