Light Box - First Floor
Art Information
Lauren Hua
Silver Koi Pond I
Medium: Acrylic, Acrylic wash, Mixed Media and 24k Gold Foil
This piece was done with waved layers of modeling paste sculpted to create ripples in water, on top of acrylic washes to imbue a watercolor effect. Every layer is required to dry before the next can be applied, therefore, this work took several weeks to complete. The koi themselves are done in gold acrylic with and embellished with genuine 24k gold foil to capture the life and movement of sunlight on scales.
Tranquil and calm, this piece is part of a diptych meant to give a sense of peace and contentedness. Both horizontally and vertically, these pieces were painted so the water ripples and koi appear to flow seamlessly from one canvas to the other no matter how they are displayed. There is a subtle complexity to be unraveled, take your time to contemplate it and find peace in the meditative experience.
About the Artist
Lauren Hua is an abstract expressionist painter who uses art as a way to blend her American upbringing with her Asian heritage. Carrying her heritage to the canvas as the subject, her pieces are free flowing, with both Japanese and Chinese influences in the brush strokes and compositions. Yet they deviate from the traditional, structured calligraphy lines with bold textures and metallic accents that are unapologetically independent and self assured.
Her embrace of the abstract realm is a break from the exacting regime of her past. There’s no pressure to be perfect, there’s nothing that has to be “exactly so” or be left open to criticism. Abstract painting can be anything you want it to be, as both the creator and as the viewer. What one person feels and interprets from a painting can be completely different from another or from the artist themselves. It can even change from day to day, moment to moment depending on mood or whim. But that doesn’t make it wrong, if anything the conceptional fluidity makes them better able to be more widely appreciated.
Layers upon layers, modeling paste is built on top of multiple acrylic washes and finished with metallic flourishes. As each layer must dry before the next can be placed, it is not uncommon for paintings to take over a month to complete. She is recognized by her incorporation of texture in an increasingly 2D world, giving her paintings life and dimension. The ridges, cracks and valleys are striking and visceral, meaning to be felt.
Artist Statement:
“Above all, I am an avid believer that beauty should be experienced at every possible moment, whether that is found in the perfect latte, a breathtaking view, or a stolen kiss. I strive to create art that communicates that belief, one that does not shock and awe, but gives the viewer a muted joy, peace and contentment that can be experienced everyday.”
Any inquiries about the art or commissions can be sent to LaurenHuaArt@gmail.com
See more of her work on Instagram.
Gallery Exhibits
The Round Rock Public Library presents cultural and art-themed exhibits and displays in the Gallery areas on the second and third floors of the library. Exhibits can be viewed when the library is open. If you are an artist or part of a group that would like to exhibit your work on our gallery walls or display case, please contact Julie Chapa, 512-218-7014.
Main Gallery - Third Floor
Selected Works by Natalya Holbrook and Elena Mester
This month we present the work of artists Natalya Holbrook and Elena Mester.
2024
November – Chris Niedenthal
October – Chris Niedenthal
September – Save the Salamander
August – Center Art Club of Round Rock
July – Round Rock Baha’i Community
June – Joanna Karnas
May – Round Rock Preservation
April – Sung Cha Brooks
March – Linda Figg
February – Na’jee Thomas
January – Lauren Hua
2023
December – Natalya Holbrook
November – Jessica Snowden
October – Williamson County Art Guild
September – Janet Oh and Friends
August – Baca Center Art Club
July – Gere Leeds Cox and her daughters, Pam Chamberlain and Tracie Leeds Storie
2022
December – Natalya Holbrook
November – Judith Estrada Garcia
October – Judith Estrada Garcia
September – Clarence Born
August – Baca Center Art Club
July – Fun Art Collective
June — Ellen Greeney
May — Sung Cha Brooks
April — Jessica Snowden
March — Paul Verizzo
February — Mahidhar Panyam
January — Mahidhar Panyam
2021
December — Diantha Grace French
November — Sung Cha Brooks
October — Skip Hunt Photography
September — Janet Oh
August — The Center Art Club
July — Henry Huey
June — Artists of Central Texas (ACT)
May — Charlie Favret
April — Paula Rasmussen
March — B. R. Martindale
February — Melissa Fontenette-Mitchell
January — Clarence Born
2020
December — Marinda Stewart
November — Marinda Stewart
October — Selections from Students of Chanta Sheidow
September — Helen Park
August — Wes Odell
July — Center Art Club
June — New Library Photos Exhibit
May — New Library Photos Exhibit
April — Sung Cha Brooks
March — Mary Olivera & Nancy Lilly
February — Melissa Fontenette-Mitchell
January — Paul Verizzo
2019
December — The Big Little Art Show
November — Links Incorporated, Lone Star (TX) Chapter
October — Sung Cha Brooks
September — Center Art Club
August — Save Our Salamander
July — Clarence Born
June — Chesiel John
May — Rosemarie Good
April — Henry Huey
March — Paula Rasmussen
February — Bill Pickett
January — Shefali O’Hara
2018
December — Sung Cha Brooks
November — Clarence Born
October — Williamson County Art Guild
September — Janet Oh, Joey Roberts Show
August — Marinda Stewart
July — Baca Center Art Club
June — Charlotte Barbini, Janet Fulk
May — Charles Faires
April — Paul Verizzo
March — Suki Paek Gluzinski
February — RRBHO
January — Chanta Sheidow
2017
December — Sarah Fournie
November — Chanta Sheidow art students
October — Sung Cha Brooks
September — Janet Oh, Joey Roberts Show
August — Baca Center Art Club
July — Sarah Kluge
June — Carolyn Johnson
May — Shefali O’Hara
April — Lisa Zinna
March — Charles Faires
February — RROC Students
January —Clarence Born
2016
December — Ida Villanueva
November — Jean Hestand
October — Ashley (West Africa)
September — Baca Center Art Club
August — Marinda Stewart
July — Joey Roberts, Janet Oh, Marhs Eaves, Kimberly Dixon
June — Libby Chase
May — Danoh Exhibit
April — Anita de la Cruz
March — Sarah Kluge
February — BHO Photo Exhibits
January — Casey Janowski
2015
December — Artography Austin
November — Jean Hestand
October — Pamela Cotton
September — Janet Oh
August — Baca Center Art Club
July — Clarence Born
June — Chanta Sheidow
May — Julie Roberts
April — Janet Fulk and Charlotte Barbini
March — Kristin Molloy
February — Black History Month
January — Jessica Gray
2014
December — Janet Oh and Nelda Sheets
November — Debra King-Isaacs
October — Baca Center Art Club
September — Alexis Templeton
August — Kimberly Ruth Dixon
July — Clarence Born
June — Rob Monroe
May — The Serie Project
April — Jerikay Gayle
March — Xueren Deng
February — Don Tate
January — Baca Center Art Club
2013
December — Daniel Adams
November — Ted Keller
October — Baca Center Art Club- Day of the Dead Exhibit
September — Deborah King-Isaacs
August — Sharen Craddock Drawings
