Art & Life with Beth LaCour

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
My hand folded paper vessels are inspired by the interplay of natural light, shadows and reflected light in architectural spaces. The forms are geometric yet evolve into curved natural forms designed to capture light. The subtleties of the designs intensify with the changing illumination, allowing one to contemplate and explore the shape and light from new perspectives.

Most vessels are folded/constructed from a single sheet of archival paper with a rhythmic, often meditative technique of tactile repetition. Recent explorations include multi-sheet constructions and tessellations. These paper tessellations, folded with a single sheet of paper appearing to have textures such as fish scales and lattice imagery, are transformed into folded vessels. Several sheets with varied folding techniques are combined to form larger, more complex vessels.

I am most excited about how my artistic experiences interact in this body of work. I have always felt the arts & sciences to be interconnected. I have been painting since I was 12, yet I began my college career as a mathematics major and graduate work in architecture. These were starting points and it was clear that I would follow my passion and complete my undergrad and graduate programs in studio art with a focus on both two and three dimensional artforms. The paper vessels bring all of my art media and the architecture, science, and mathematics together. While at Taliesin as an Artist-in-Residence, I was able to design and fabricate creasing templates for quick prototyping/3D sketching of new forms. I am currently, studying Islamic geometric design, and learning AutoCAD to facilitate more complex designs and repeatability of precise construction.

Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
The path of each artist is different. As a working artist, I am continually problem-solving and searching for new ideas. As a teacher, I am a partner in the discovery of ideas and development of new and well-founded techniques. Both roles are integral to my creative process, and I strive to keep them in balance. Of primary importance for me: a willingness to take risks, ability to self-assess/critique, with a spirit for lifelong learning. One thing that I wish I had learned is a greater willingness to market myself.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
The Artists Gallery
17 North San Francisco Street
Flagstaff, Arizona 86001
928.773.0958
www.FlagstaffArtistsGallery.com

Enchantment Resort
525 Boynton Canyon Road
Sedona, AZ 86336

A permanent installation of 27 large paper lights can be viewed over the bar at Mother Road Brewery-Butler Ave.
1300 East Butler Avenue, Suite 200
928.774.0492
https://www.motherroadbeer.com/butler-brewery/