Artist Biography ~ Laurie Curran

Laurie Curran

Curran studied art at both U.C. Berkeley and the San Francisco Art Institute. Her evolution of the abstract expressionist and Bay Area Figurative styles is distinct and notable. Curran’s work is included in numerous collections of not only abstract expressionist, modern and contemporary art, but also in many important collections of Early American paintings. Her timeless depictions of everyday objects, the draftsmanship evident throughout, hold their own with her contemporaries and the early American masters alike. Laurie's style is a masterful balance between abstraction and realism. Just enough detail is shared with the viewer, and yet the abstracted forms and color fields retain a degree of mystery.

 ARTIST STATEMENT:

“When I’m hit by an image that strikes me emotionally, something immediately clicks and a feeling of ownership overcomes me.  

Translating first impressions into paint is a compelling process and it never ceases to test or surprise me as I follow my own path to achieving a painting that, ultimately, must speak on my behalf as a fine artist.  

I’m passionate about the table because of my own experiences.  Inside or outside the home, I see how everything comes to the table and with it comes people, events, fantasy and reality.”  

-Laurie Curran, November 2008 .

A Glimpse of Laurie Curran's Los Angeles studio, 2013.

Education:

San Francisco Art Institute, San Francisco, CA.

College Of Marin, Kentfield, CA.

University Of California, Berkeley, B.A., Phi Beta Kappa.

Group Exhibitions:

1977, Hayward Festival of the Arts, Hayward, CA.

1977, Antioch Arts Festival, Antioch, CA.

1979, Hayward Area Festival of the Arts, Hayward, CA, Third Place, illustrated.

1986, Diego Rivera Gallery, San Francisco Art Institute.

1988, Headlands Art Center, Marin County, CA, under David Ireland.

1991, Worth Ryder Gallery, University of California, Berkeley.

1991, Conti Gallery, San Francisco, CA.

1992, Berkeley Art Center, Berkeley, CA, First Place.

1992, California State Fair “California Works”, Award Of Excellence, illustrated.

1992, Ebert Gallery, San Francisco, CA.

1993, California State Fair “California Works”, Award Of Merit.

1995, Garzoli Gallery, San Rafael, CA, “American Still Life Paintings”.

1996, San Francisco Art Dealer’s Association, “Introductions ‘96”.

1998, California State Fair, Sacramento, CA.

1998, Sonoma Museum of Visual Art, Sonoma , CA, “People’s Choice Awards”, First Place.

2005, Crocker Art Museum, Sacramento, CA, “74th Crocker-Kingsley Exhibition”,
First Prize, Mel Ramos, juror.

2009, Korean Cultural Center, Los Angeles, CA, "17th Annual Juried Art Competition;
Contemporary Art.

2009, California State Fair "California Fine Art", Award of Excellence.

One Person Exhibitions:

1992, Berkeley Graduate Gallery, U.C. Berkeley.

1996, Garzoli Gallery, San Rafael, CA.

1998, Garzoli Gallery, San Rafael, CA.

1999, Garzoli Gallery, San Rafael, CA.

2003, Garzoli Gallery, San Rafael, CA.

2013, Joel B. Garzoli Fine Art, San Francisco, CA.