About the Artist

 

 

I love bringing history to life for people to enjoy in their homes. I have enjoyed history since childhood when my parents would take us on history vacations every summer. I was in awe of the old buildings and beautiful landscapes. As I got older these structures and sites were recorded as pencil and pen drawings, now they’re painted in oil. The style and subjects I choose are mainly representational landscapes and architecture leaning toward contemporary impressionism.

 

I paint alla prima, a wet into wet technique both in the studio and en plein air, on canvas, linen, and handmade muslin panels. The feel of the oil paint on these different surfaces is enjoyable due to the ability of laying down a brush stroke that stays, moving the paint around, scraping off, or layering until I get my desired result. My new found love of painting is like meditation for me, where getting lost in a painting can sometimes lead to painting all day!

 

Mostly inspired by the story of the scenes around me, It is my impression of these places that I hope the viewer will recognize, feel as having been there, or possibly be inspired to go and see it for themselves. I seek to render a sort of familiarity where the viewer feels comfortable and maybe even sentimental. I work mainly in a limited palette. My intent is to learn to expand my color knowledge through experimentation and by pushing the limits of what I have available in front of me. 

 

 

 

Laural was born in Austin, Texas and picked up art at an early age. She was encouraged to pursue art throughout her school years. She is a 1986 graduate of Texas Christian University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Interior Design, with a focus on architectural illustration and fine art.  After graduating, she moved to Virginia where she still resides with her husband, three cats and a dog. 

 

After beginning her career in Interior Design in Virginia, she shifted her talents to what she enjoyed best, pen and ink renderings with an emphasis on historic architecture. In 1990 she started a business producing both renderings and floor plans for marketing purposes of new homes for area builders and the local builders association while continuing her personal art. 

 

Over the years, Laural has worked within the community on many projects involving local organizations. She has rendered homes for both the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation "Christmas Candlelight" tour and The Rappahannock Valley Garden Club "Historic Garden Week in Fredericksburg" tour. Laural's interest in architecture makes it enjoyable for her to draw many of the historic sites in the Fredericksburg and surrounding area. Within the last few years, she has taken up oil painting and enjoys painting landscapes and still lifes. She has recently become involved with the Plein Air movement and plans on traveling with her husband and painting in new locations. Laural has shown her commissioned and non-commissioned work in local galleries and shops and has many pieces in private collections.

 

 

Education

Studied with, Sarah Sedwick, Scott L Christensen and Nita Adams

Workshops with, Anne Blair Brown, Marjorie Hicks, Laurel Daniel, Patrick Saunders

BS Interior Design, Texas Christian University 1986, Fort Worth Texas

 

Work/Volunteer Experience

Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts, Art Education Chair, 2018-present

Foxhill Studios, Pen and Ink Artwork, Owner 1992-2010

Laural M Koons, Architectural Illustrations and Floor Plans, Owner 1988-2016

Memberships

Oil Painters of America- Associate Member
American Impressionist Society- Associate Member
Outdoor Painters Society- Associate Member
American Women Artists- Associate Member

California Art Club- Associate Artist

National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society - Associate Member

 



Exhibitions and Awards

 

2024- Summer Breeze, Group exhibit, Frame Designs Gallery, Fredericksburg, Va

2023- Inspired by Nature, Group exhibit, Frame Designs Gallery, Fredericksburg, Va

 

2023- The Hill Center Galleries, 2023 Regional Juried Exhibit, The Hill Center, Washington DC

 

2022- Impressions of Virginia, Duo Show with Dawn Whitmore, Frame Designs Gallery, Fredericksburg, Va

 

2021- Impressions of Virginia, Duo show with Dawn Whitmore, Colonial Beach Art Guild, Colonial Beach, Va

 

2020- Rural America and Parks, Duo show with Dawn Whitmore, Colonial Beach Art Guild, Colonial Beach, Va

 

2020- The Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts, October "Memories: People, Places, Structures" National Juried Exhibit,    Fredericksburg, Va

 

2020- The Fredericksburg Center for the Creative Arts, April Artist Choice Regional Juried Exhibit, Fredericksburg, Va

 

2020- Fredericksburg Country Club Featured Artists, Fredericksburg, Va

 

2019- Community Bank of the Chesapeake Downtown Fredericksburg Exhibit, Fredericksburg, Va

 
2019- 3rd place, (Upper Pontoon Crossing on the Rappahanock, Oil on panel,  Plein Air, 9x12) Darbytown Plein Air Event, Fredericksburg, Va

 

2018- Merit award, (The Right Road, Oil on panel, Alla Prima, 8x10) King George Art Guild, King George Va