ARTIST STATEMENT
Clowns and Soldiers is a quilt based on a mid-century baby blanket. It examines the contrast between the sweet images we surround children with, in contrast with violent and warlike toys that many children play with. Two days after I finished this piece, Russian invaded Ukraine, so it goes.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Laurel Izard is an award-winning artist who exhibits her artwork throughout the country. She currently lives and works in Michigan City with her artist husband Edwin Shelton and two cats. She received a BA from Northern Illinois University, with majors in art and anthropology, and a MFA in ceramics from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. After collage Izard and her husband started a ceramic business called Izwin, and wholesaled colorful whimsical tabletop wares to galleries, boutiques, and department stores throughout the country. After twenty-three years of self-employment, she taught art in numerous after-school and summer programs. Her art-teaching career culminated in nine years as art instructor at Marquette High School. Currently she can follow her creative path full-time. Her philosophy as an artist and teacher is that an integral part of being human is to be creative and continues to teach others how to discover their inner artistic resources.
© Laurel Izard