Artist Bio

Lauren Richeson

Biography:

I am a juried artist living and working in Merritt Island, Florida. Born in Maryland, I've lived across the US in California, Hawaii, and now Florida. At an early age, my interest in art was extraordinary. I was selected to participate in the National Gallery of Art’s High School Art Seminar in 1994. From 2000-2019 I served as an administrative professional in the corporate world. After moving to Florida, I chose to pursue artist endeavors full-time. 

My work has been exhibited at Little Sea Apothecary (Indialantic, FL), My Own Narrative Art Gallery (Melbourne, FL), Arts Illiana Gallery. I offer both public and private mosaic workshops and participate in art fairs locally and across the US.

I focus in mosaics and kiln-fired glass in themes of nature and color. The use of glass-on-glass techniques highlights the exploration of color as a tool to evoke emotion and portray fluidity. My mixed- media pieces often incorporate elements like shells, wood, and stone reinforcing the focus on natural elements.

B.A. in Studio Art from the University of Maryland, College Park (2000).

Artist Statement:

From an early age, my fascination with all things glass began with collecting antique bottles and sea glass. My work now is an expression of that fascination with all things glass. 

I produce glass mosaics with inclusions of fused glass elements. Pieces often incorporate upcycled glass materials, vintage glass, fused glass, and natural elements. The juxtaposition of textures, colors, and forms of glass are used to create a three-dimensional aspect to many projects. With “glass-on-glass” mosaics, the light transmits through glass and its varying translucence to create a constantly changing piece. It is this change that I am continually working towards with my projects.

I challenge myself to create precise imagery by restricting myself to using very imprecise glass cutting tools. Cutting, selecting, and adhering each individual piece to the substrate is akin to putting together a jigsaw puzzle.

Focusing on themes of nature, my subjects are often native animals, plants, and landscapes. There is a balance between the realistic representation of the subject and the play of color, lighting, and texture with my work.   I am always looking to incorporate new techniques and materials to represent the subjects.