Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Erekson.
Hi Laura, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Art has always been a vital outlet for me—from childhood through adulthood—as a way to process feelings and life experiences. I earned a BFA from Brigham Young University in Painting, Printmaking, and Sculpture, followed by working at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden (Smithsonian Institution) in Washington, D.C. on the exhibition crew. There, I began my professional career, highlighted by the honor of having an ink painting accepted into a Smithsonian exhibition—an unforgettable milestone.
I later completed my MFA at George Mason University in Virginia. During pregnancy with my first child, I transitioned away from welding and large-scale sculpture for safety, which led me to experiment with ways to make my two-dimensional work more sculptural. I began incorporating tools, found objects, and eventually living plants, which now play a central role in my process. My technique creates extreme texture and delicate impressions, often allowing the natural colors transferred by the materials to guide the final composition.
After relocating to Utah, I balanced motherhood and art by literally walking my work into galleries with my newborn strapped to me. That persistence opened doors for solo shows and established my presence in the local art community. I currently exhibit with Trove Gallery in Park City and regularly show at the Springville Museum of Art, along with participating in festivals and galleries across the state.
Utah’s vibrant and supportive art scene has been a wonderful surprise. My four children have deeply influenced my work, leading me to explore themes of identity, motherhood, nature, and transformation. My practice continues to merge the tactile and the organic, bridging my background in sculpture and printmaking with an ongoing exploration of nature’s materials and forms.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. I’ve raised four children with very limited or no childcare, especially in the early years, which made balancing my studio practice incredibly challenging. My work is materially and time intensive, and I’ve had to rely solely on sales to fund and sustain my practice—I don’t have external financial backing or a patron.
One of the biggest lessons has been learning that being an artist also means running a business. That was never something I set out to do, and the self-promotion and administrative side have often felt at odds with my creative energy. During the childbearing and early parenting years, my focus was always on creating whenever I had time and energy, often leaving little room for the business side of art.
Rejection has also been a constant companion along the way. While I’ve experienced many career wins, I’ve also faced plenty of “no’s.” It’s part of the reality of being an artist. I’ve developed the resilience to keep moving forward, and while rejection is never easy, I’ve maintained confidence in my work and my path.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am known for my unique technique of using plants and found objects to create extreme texture and delicate detail in my work. My process involves pressing, embedding, and layering organic materials and objects into the surface to capture both their physical presence and subtle color transfers. I specialize in larger-scale works that bridge painting and sculpture, often blurring the line between two- and three-dimensional forms.
I’m especially proud of my monumental sunflower installations, including those created for the Bonneville Salt Flats and Snow Canyon in southern Utah. These works explore themes of resilience, nature, and connection to place. I am also deeply proud of my ongoing body of work celebrating motherhood, womanhood, and Mother Nature—concepts that intersect and evolve within my practice.
What sets me apart is both my technique and my perspective as an artist-mother. My children are often directly or indirectly incorporated into my work, influencing its themes and, at times, becoming part of the creative process. Additionally, the needle-nosed plier has become my signature found object; if you see one integrated into a painting, it’s most likely mine.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up, I was definitely the black sheep of the family as I was often the one getting into trouble. I was curious, independent, and never satisfied with “because I said so” as an answer—I always wanted to know why. I’ve been described as fiery, strong-willed, and mischievous, and I channeled that intensity into creative expression. Art became my outlet for strong feelings and ideas, but I was also drawn to dance, singing, and acting. I explored all forms of the arts with enthusiasm. My love of flowers and plants also began early and has remained a constant inspiration in my life and work.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ereksonatkinson.com
- Instagram: LauraEreksonArt
