Artist Lauren Knode

“Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others, cannot keep it from themselves.”

– James M. Barrie, Author of Peter Pan

The discovery of this quote was personally very special to me as my beloved father, Barrie M. James, was named after this author of extraordinary adventures.

Capturing Beauty

Nature’s light greatly inspires me – a sunset’s ever-changing brilliance, the luminous light glowing through delicately translucent petals of a flower, shimmering ripples in a stream and waves, glistening as they gently make their way onto shore. I want my paintings to provoke and awaken the senses, transporting the viewer to a peaceful, quiet place within. Working in oil and pastel, I’ve found it an ever challenging and fascinating joy to create paintings that capture Nature’s glorious atmospheric luminescence.

Growing up in Portland, Oregon, I knew from an early age that art was my passion. At age 10, while copying Albrecht Durer’s drawing, “Praying Hands,” my mother said to me, “You are always happiest when drawing or painting”. This is a vivid memory for me and years later, upon reflection, proved to be an epiphany.

A Family of Artists

My early years were happily spent in as many art classes as I could attend. This passion for art was especially encouraged by my mother who came from a family of artists.

I was greatly influenced by my grandfather, Lew Merrell, a cartoonist, caricaturist, and graphic designer, who drew caricatures of key businessmen of his day and designed and published the sports program for the Chicago Bears.

My uncle, Lew Merrell Jr., a wonderful oil painter nicknamed “Red”, graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago and spent his professional life as a magazine design editor. My mother would often quote her brother who said, “Never be afraid of color”. To this day the two major influences in my work are COLOR and LIGHT.

Lauren Knode working on her art in studio

Italy, France & Greece

Following my passion for art, I pursued advanced degrees in art and education which included a year of study in Italy with extended trips throughout Europe – an experience which greatly heightened my love for art and travel. After an art-teaching career in Oregon, spanning 20 years, I decided to take my love for art in a different direction, making painting my vocation.

Inspired by childhood memories of summer travels by car with my family, especially during the magical light at dusk, I found myself heading down the highway for the next art festival with the lure of the sun, “wide open spaces”, and memories of my family choosing a very appropriate theme song for me, “Don’t Fence Me In.”

The Reawakening

My minivan was packed to the brim with paintings, prints, display panels, equipment, canopy, etc. My participation in major juried art shows throughout the US included Arizona. The sun-drenched landscape of the Southwest deeply influenced the use of color and light in my paintings and captivated my heart so much, I made Arizona my home in 2003.

The annual 10-week Arizona Fine Art EXPO in Scottsdale has become my preeminent exhibition. I have participated every year in this prestigious fine art show since its inception in 2004 – 19 years!

My paintings and prints are in private and corporate collections throughout the US, Canada, and abroad. I am a member of Oil Painters of America.