Laura Silverman on exploring the connection between nature, and the beauty of overlooked moments

Laura Silverman is a talented Baltimore, Maryland artist who creates beautiful landscape paintings that explore the connection between places and our sense of identity. In this interview, Laura shares her journey as an artist, her love for capturing the beauty of everyday scenes, and the inspirations that drive her work.

She talks about her creative style, which was influenced by Impressionists and Fauvists, and how she paints quickly and confidently, accepting her intuition. Laura opens up about memorable moments, like studying in the South of France, where she sharpened her skills and developed a deep appreciation for art history. She also opens up about overcoming challenges, finding joy in teaching art to others, and encourages aspiring artists to keep practicing and learning from life.

Laura Silverman is a visual artist from Baltimore, Maryland. She has been painting and drawing for over twelve years and received her Master of Fine Arts in Painting from the American College of the Mediterranean in Aix-en-Provence, France. She graduated from Temple University in Philadelphia and received her Bachelor of Science in Education, majoring in Art Education. Laura makes art in her studio outside of Baltimore and explores how our environment shapes our identity. She works in the plein air and her studio, using her own photographs. Laura’s works have been published, and she has shown in multiple galleries, including in Italy, England, France, and the United States. She has worked in various private collections across the United States, France, Italy, and Germany. Laura plans to investigate her hometown of Baltimore in her current series, exploring changing light, local ecology, and beauty in the mundane.

1. How would you describe your art style, and what inspired you to become an artist?

I am heavily inspired by the Impressionists and the Fauvists and greatly admire the Baroque and the Renaissance. I work very intuitively and quickly, not allowing myself to second-guess anything. I work with a sense of immediacy and confidence in what I do. I knew I would be an artist since I could hold a pencil or crayon. Any surface I could find, wall or notebook, would have my artistic touch. Growing up, I had a supportive family who encouraged me to pursue my creative dreams.

My landscapes depict scenes often overlooked in everyday life, like seldom walked trails in local parks or fields of grass, giving the viewer the experience of a local inhabitant.

Laura Silverman

2. Can you describe a memorable experience or project that significantly impacted your career?

Studying in the South of France and receiving my Master of Fine Arts in Painting has profoundly impacted my career and art practice. There, I fine-tuned my artistic techniques, like plein-air painting of the landscape, and developed a comprehension of art history. Because of this, my technical abilities have significantly improved.

3. What challenges have you faced as an artist, and how did you overcome them?

It’s very easy to feel frustrated while creating a work of art. I try to push through that frustration and discomfort and finish the piece. I’ve reframed my thinking and learned to chase this feeling, as it usually means I’m learning something. I’m working beyond whatever preconceived notions I had imagined.

4. What has been the most rewarding aspect of your art journey?

The most rewarding aspect of my art journey has been sharing my passion with others through teaching art! In addition to being an artist, I am an art educator and understand the cognitive and emotional benefits that art can provide. Helping others grow through art and learning to problem solve has been extremely rewarding.

I investigate the ways in which plants, nature, and ecology are intertwined within the ever changing, yet ever present landscape, and how the local environment shapes one’s identity.

Laura Silverman

5. What advice would you give to the aspiring artists?

The main advice I would give aspiring artists is to keep making work! The more you practice, the better you will become. I highly recommend working from life instead of pictures whenever possible. The old master artists would copy the great paintings and drawings of historical significance, and doing the same can greatly improve your compositional skills and rendering of proportions. The more you create, the more you will train your hand to move and your eyes to see, and you will be able to see your skills improve.

Laura Silverman’s art reminds us to find beauty in the simple things around us and reflect on how our places shape who we are. Whether painting outdoors or teaching others, Laura brings a special passion to everything she does. Her journey as an artist is full of persistence, learning, and a deep love for nature. To learn more about Laura, visit the links below.