Laura Tryon Jennings is an award-winning New England artist with a resume that boasts nationwide exhibitions and prominent collectors including, best selling author Mary Higgins Clark, Grammy award winning singer Bruce Hornsby, News reporter Joan Lunden,  Blue Cross Blue Shield, HLM Partners, and Harvard University. Jennings spent her formative and university years in the U.S. and England. She draws artistic inspiration from coastal living, her three children, and the relationship with her late mother, for whom she painted her newest collection, Cereal Series, to be exhibited at the Art Complex from November 2008 to February 2009. (Photo by Chris Bernstein)

Laura’s work captures both life’s chaotic turns and the pleasurable, simpler moments, with swirls of vivid color and movement. Her intuitive management of light and dark infuse depth, density, and energy into her work.  Her work combines modern and traditional approaches, with a personal twist. While the borders of her work focus on the Modern Art movement, she uses traditional strokes, triangular arrangement, and repetition of color, delivering themes and storylines that the observer is challenged to resolve.  An artist who can ingeniously play with light and darkness to reveal emotions, Laura’s paintings have been described as “psychologically interesting,” as well as “triumphantly intimate and extraordinary.”

Artist’s Statement
My paintings represent the complexity and intricacy of life and relationships.  Each piece conveys the message that we ought to take time from our hectic pace to reflect, treasure life's simplicity, if only for a moment.  Within each piece I use an amalgam of color and composition to depict the wavering tension between tranquility and chaos.  Much of my work projects a feeling of calmness, peacefulness, and enlightenment that hopefully causes the viewer to pause, look, and focus on the art and serenity within the moments of everyday life.  Other works include articles and details that are seemingly out of place, just as relationships and life are not always in tidy order.
As a New Englander and avid colorist, my color palette has developed and evolved from strong seasonal and coastal influences offering a distinctive blend of hues and range of moods.  My perspective is achieved by physically viewing objects or my subjects as though I am looking down at a puzzle, and connecting the shapes, that don't appear to fit, but somehow work to complete a scene.  My use of light varies with both direct and filtered light sources.  I enjoy the use of both large and small canvases.  My large canvas work allows me to be more physical and heighten the focus of objects and subjects within while my small canvas work allows for a more intimate, gem-like outcome.
An ever present inspiration and influence in all of my work is my mum, who passed away of cancer.  Her life, energy, and continuing guiding spirit is a constant source and reminder for me to at once celebrate and reflect on life's smaller moments.

Museum Show
Art Complex Museum, Duxbury, MA, November 23, 2008 - February 15, 2009
Opening: Sunday, November 23, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.

Reviews

“I am delighted to own several of Laura's wonderful paintings, they are so very special and a constant joy to have in my home. Laura is a gifted painter with a keen, whimsical eye.”
— Mary Higgins Clark, Best-selling author

“The paintings of Laura Tryon Jennings speak of the energized, colorful, enchanting chaos that is life. Since acquiring our first painting in 1994, we now have six in our collection. We love the images with slightly distorted perspectives and curiously juxtaposed remnants of everyday life that seem to capture that split second in time before all hell breaks loose again.”
— Bruce and Kathy Hornsby, Grammy Award-winning recording artist

“Laura Tryon Jennings’ work represents a thoughtful perspective on familiar themes. Her use of size, color and detail present a delightful experience for the viewer. Jennings is an artist to watch.” — William O'Neil, Past President of the Massachusetts College of Art and Executive Officer of the Massachusetts Council of State College

"Like an implosion of interlocking pieces, Laura Tryon Jennings' vividly colorful compositions are an original expression and modern amalgam of the many masters who have influenced her work. From the colorful complexity and tension of the German expressionists to the romantic intricacy of Klimt, her canvases tell stories informed by symbolism. Yet with all these influences Laura has created a style of her own, which combined with an imaginative gift for shape and color, led me to commission her work."
— Iain McGarvie-Munn , Former Curator, Chateau d'Entrecasteaux Museum

"I admire the paintings of Laura Tryon Jennings very much. We share similar values and have become friends and fellow exhibitors. Her paintings of contemporary life are specific without being academic, her primary purpose being the exploration of art highly informed by abstract values. Her perspective views are personal and engaging. I find her work reflects her commitment and joy for painting."
— Stephen Pace, Renowned and widely-collected artist. Among the long list of public collections of his work are the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden

“I have had the honor of knowing and working with Laura Tryon Jennings for many years now...we even attended the same college in England! Laura remains the record-holder for gallery sales here in our Charles H. Taylor Arts Center in Hampton, Virginia. She has mounted numerous solo and group exhibitions for us here and each one is better than the last! It has been one of my on going pleasures to witness her continual growth and exploration. She has now perfected a totally refreshing and very unique style of looking at the world around us and bringing a smile to your face! a presto!”
— Michael Curry, Director, Hampton Arts Center and The American Theatre

“Laura Tryon Jennings is an artist with a unique perspective on life. Her artist’s eye sees what we do not see. The vibrancy of her colors and the body language of her subjects enhances the view from her lofty perch and we are richer for it.”
— David Black, Accomplished artist and Broadway producer. Among the list of his successful shows is the original production of “George M.”

“In her vivid, engaging paintings, L. Tryon Jennings captures the essence of family, of fleeting moments in time. Intimate slices of contemporary life, her intricately detailed interior worlds exquisitely express the yearning to create order, beauty, and tranquility out of the inherent chaos of the human condition.”
— Amy J. Barry, Arts Editor, Shore Publishing Newspapers

“The demands of each day blur time and our experiences. Laura's work causes us to pause, look, and focus on the art and serenity within the moments of everyday life.”
— Stephan Baker, Architect, Interior Designer, Industrial Designer

“This painting beautifully portrays integral aspects of the foundation of Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) education and learning, the rich history of the school, and student life. We were thrilled to work with such a talented artist in preserving the essence of HGSE's home, given our potential move to the Allston campus. We are proud to have the work of art hang in our office for students, professors, staff and visitors to enjoy.”
— Kathleen McCartney, Dean of Harvard Graduate School of Education

“Jennings' work is fresh and true to her life. She communicates universally.”
— Kacey Carneal, Award-winning international artist

“Jennings’ artistry captures the moment as only the mind can see and the heart can feel. Her paintings permit the ephemeral to become everlasting.”
— Edward Lange, COO BRE Properties

“Every new painting I view of Laura Tryon Jennings excites me beyond words. The way she portrays movement, the vivid colors and soft textures are all but tangible. It doesn’t matter whether she brings us into a landscape or onto a family setting; every scene reveals something personal, as if we are privileged to experience another’s private world. Her work accomplishes what art is meant to do: stir the soul and leave one with altered emotions!”
— Patricia Stowell, Concert Pianist