Syreni (mermaid) (2022) Painting by Laura Mayo

Fresh crayon shavings pressed between sheets of wax paper with an iron - one of my earliest memories fascination with color. Then, a book I received, The Adventure of the Three Colors, taught me, through layered cellophane pages, how three simple colors mixed to make all the others. A Lite Brite on Christmas morning, art classes for children on Saturdays at  Memphis State, a spirograph, and 4-H photography were also inspirational in my artistic journey. 

I have evolved from crayons to acrylic paint, from unicorns to landscapes, but color, in itself, is still my obsession. The psychology of color is fascinating. One can use colors in various aspects to create an entire mood and even subtly influence others. The theories of color psychology are used in professional interior design schemes. 

Tonalism is an art style I have fallen in love with, although I paint in a variety of styles.  Tonalism involves atmospheric moods and color. Tonalism reminds me of my favorite form of poetry- Haiku. A haiku poem’s brief arrangement of carefully chosen words creates a snapshot in the mind. I paint to capture such on the canvas. 

Before I transitioned to a career in art, I taught language arts and special education for a fulfilling twelve years in the Mississippi public school system. I am also a wife and mother to three wonderful children, Nathan, Vivien, and Jillian. In the summer of 2020, we moved to Marshall County, MS. In the ‘country’, surrounded by the rural charm of our Mississippi landscapes, I have been greatly inspired, and enjoy capturing the beauty of color and light around me. I look forward to spending time in the sunroom creating exciting, colorful and new “friends” on canvas. 

I am in love with the light and colors that surround me every day. I want to share this through my paintings. 

• Nationality: UNITED STATES
• Date of birth : unknown date
• Artistic domains:
• Groups: Contemporary American Artists