Laurie O'Reilly

   In an ever-changing society, what does the world look like through the eyes of our youth? See the work of figurative artist Laurie O’Reilly and you just might get a feel for what it’s really like to be a kid in this fast-paced 21st century, full of its various challenges.
   For the past five years this West Guilford area acrylic artist has focused her creative efforts on depicting stages of life – those that are inspired by real people, places and situations, as well as the thoughts that are churned out of O’Reilly’s own imagination.
   “I did landscape work on my own before coming to the college [Haliburton School of the Arts],” explains O’Reilly of her previous artistic muse, “but I had always wanted to do figurative work.”
   Long before finding her place in the county’s creative cluster and settling in the area, O’Reilly was in a significantly different stage of her life. Her university studies in Guelph put her in a field of work that was completely unrelated to the arts (the study of fish), and she was in the midst of raising a family. When more time became available in her schedule she returned to studies in Guelph, this time earning her minor in fine art. It was this second round of studies that led her to find her true niche.
   And now that O’Reilly is comfortable with putting her brush to canvas, the quick-drying acrylic colours she uses work their magic, often depicting the rollercoaster ride of emotions children and teens experience on their rise to adulthood.
   “Young people are always going through cultural changes, or life moment changes,” says O’Reilly.
   In her studio now, one will find a room full of paintings that highlight fatherhood. Absent fathers, young fathers, and fathers serving their country are all part of the theme O’Reilly will highlight at “Paternity Suite” – a Rails End Gallery exhibition scheduled to open May 8.
   For most of the pieces, O’Reilly chose to utilize members of her own family as subject matter. Each person appears as they would in reality – with a few slight changes, and a little edgier if you will.
   “That’s my youngest son … but he doesn’t have all those tattoos,” O’Reilly laughs, as she describes a piece entitled “Daddy’s Little Girl”. In the image the young man – covered with tattoos and sporting ear spacers – cradles his baby. The piece successfully shows the extreme visual contrasts between the innocent, sweet baby and her colourfully decorated father. It also shows how the two – as different in appearance as they are – can harmoniously coexist together.
   O’Reilly has also started to dabble in mixed media.  In one of her illustrations that portrays a proud father serving his country, a doll with an actual photo of the man slipped inside it has been attached to the piece.
   “I would love to do a whole room of dolls with faces in them … for all the parents who are in Iraq and Afghanistan and their kids who are home.”
   O’Reilly’s work is not only relevant to those who can relate to the North American culture; she is also reaching out to explore the common rituals practiced by children and adults in other parts of the world.
   “I went to Jordan (Middle East) last year,” she points out. “I talked to many young people and got photographic references. I’d like to do more of that in the future.”
   Want to see some of O’Reilly’s work for yourself? Then look to these locations and events:
   The Art Hive, Tour de Forest Studio Tour, Rails End Gallery & Arts Centre (May 8 – June 20), Silver Bridge Gallery in Bracebridge, and her own studio at 1513 Eagle Lake Rd. in West Guilford.
   To reach Laurie call 705-754-0444 or email dhs.lor@sympatico.ca.