Laura Gabriel: Artist Statement

I didn’t start out as an artist, nor did I have any formal training as an artist, but around 1998 I stumbled upon a portrait group in downtown Lake Orion, Michigan.  As I was working in the law enforcement field at that time and until my retirement, my soon to be husband knew I needed a creative outlet.  He encouraged me to join the portrait group!  It was through this group that I learned to draw and paint in almost every medium.  Through the following years this journey has allowed me to meet and befriend so many wonderful artists who have taught me so much.  Around 2006, on a lark, I followed one of these dear friends into an adult enrichment class at the College for Creative Studies in Detroit.  I learned to sculpt the human figure in clay from master sculptor Jay Holland.  My friend didn’t return and I never left…I had found my passion!  When Jay Holland retired, I started to take classes from Janice Trimpe.  She is the sculptor of many bronze monuments like the Iron Worker at the Mackinaw Bridge.  She continued to teach and mentor me and pushed me into trying new ways to sculpt in clay.  She continues to be a friend and mentor to this day, although now many states away.  I have since branched out into sculpting animals as well as continuing sculpting the human form in clay.  I have also started to branch out in sculpting in metal, wood, and stone.  This has become my passion and what I had been always looking for.  The peace I get from working in clay is magical and all of my cares just fade away.  I have now since retired, and am continuing my journey in exploring the world of art.  Painting and sculpting in its many forms is where I spend many happy days, hours these days, but clay sculpture is where I am happiest.  My hope and dream is to pass on my knowledge and passion of working in clay, to inspire others to find their own creative niche!