Laurette Lafleur inspire by illuminating the treasures of life
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Artist Statement: Through photography and writing, I aim to inspire by illuminating the treasures of life that we hold dear. These jewels are expressed everywhere in our surroundings – some obvious and others less so. They serve as fuel to endorse, motivate and highlight the best of the human experience. My images capture and freeze moments of optimism and illustrate the inherent joy of living. I use the camera’s lens to illustrate subjects that focus on hope, joy, mystery, and the sparkle of innocence. My art reminds the viewer that no matter how dark individual moments may be, we exist to live in the sunlight, not the shadows. It encourages us when we yearn to soar not trudge; and through optimism, my images reveal that life is joyful and there is a bright future for us all.
Laurette has been influenced by the painter Lawren Harris, the decisive moment photographer/ painter Henri-Cartier Bresson, and Ernst Haas the recognized premier colour and motion photographer of the 50’s and 60’s. Using self-directed education programs since 2015, she has pushed the boundaries of her art by participating in numerous courses, local contest, shows and exhibitions She began by participating and winning many prizes in local country fairs in Renfrew, Almonte, Perth, Richmond, and Middleville.
She is also an annual participant in Almonte’s Art in the Attic and as part of the group made multiple contributions to the Canada 150 “Bucky Ball” exhibit of past and present textile mills which is on display at the Mississippi Mills Textile Museum. In addition, Laurette has exhibited at numerous venues; namely: AIM (Art in the Manor) at Fairview Manor, Ottawa Valley Medical Health Clinic, Carleton Place Library, Mill of Kintail, Herb Garden, Under Pressure Coffee House in Carleton Place, and Equator Coffee in Almonte. In 2018, Laurette was accepted into the juried Crown & Pumpkin Art Tour.
She is a member of Photography Matters, the Contemplative Photography Circle, Lanark County Camera Club, the Almonte and Area Artist Association, and a private Writers’ Circle. It is her photo of the Old Almonte Town Hall that graces the brochure of Art in the Attic, 2016-2018. In addition, Laurette is a writer. She is working on a fictional novel and has written numerous short stories which have been submitted for publishing. In the next phase of her artistic career, Laurette plans to enhance her love of story telling by using both images and the written word.