Published: October 20, 2007
"Art of Romance" Artist Lauri Blank Featured at Fike Gallery
Power, Sensuality, Romanticism is the essence of Ms. Blank's Art
Lauri Blank was destined to be a creative soul. Raised by an artistic mother and grandparents that are, to this day, still performing musicians, Blank was constantly surrounded by creativity and artistic expression. At seven years old, Blank won her first art competition and by twelve she was included in a prestigious national exhibition at the Norton Museum of Art.
Continuing on a path of creative expression, Lauri Blank became a successful fashion model by age 14. She spent the next several years honing her painting skills while gracing the covers of magazines, catwalks, and advertising campaigns. Later she turned her attention to the fashion world, designing her own successful line of couture clothing.
Blank eventually returned her focus to fine art. "I felt the need to create something new each day. I couldn't do that in fashion - once successful, the business becomes more about production and less about creativity."
Blank found herself naturally drawn to the imagery and complexities of the human form. She concentrated on the female figure, learning to capture its very essence on canvas. Uninhibited by conventional or formal training, Blank's talent took on an original life of its own. Her artwork exhibits an unblemished romantic realism long forgotten by commercially driven, modern trends. What is most remarkable is that she does not use live models. "The images virtually create themselves," she muses.
In 1999 she accepted a commission for a mural project at an 18th century church in Old Montreal, Canada. For months she worked night and day painting the Cathedral's ceiling. It was the most magical experience she has ever had and is most proud of this work. After completing the monumental mural, Blank received national coverage in Architectural Digest and was featured on HGTV. Later she was selected as the artist for the 2002 Grammy Awards. Her post 911 Grammy work symbolized the patriotism of a nation blended with its love for music.
Blank's style of melding the techniques and icons of the old masters with today's cultural ideology, has won her national acclaim. Her powerful images along with her passion and devotion jump off the canvas. Her own imitable style, which she refers to as "Romantic Figuratism," brings a sense of peace and reflection to the modern day world.
Fike Gallery is proud to feature such a talented artist, commencing on Friday November 2nd with a reservation only affair including, not only the amazing Ms. Blank, but some local talents as well.
Local talent includes the vocal styling of Marcel with piano accompaniment. Marcel will be debuting her latest CD that night. This is a chance to be one of the select few who get to say "I knew her when".
Few people know that interior designer Lisa Smith is also a chef and writer. Smith will delight us with some of her tasty culinary treats that will later be featured in her "designer" cookbook scheduled to be published end of 2008. And we must not forget our own, much acclaimed vintner, Wayne Procissi. Procissi recently debuted Sutter Street Red, his newest red wine, and some say it is his greatest masterpiece yet.
The most important aspect of the evening is the charity fund-raiser for the Sacramento WIND youth association. Few people in this area know what an incredible job WIND does for the homeless youth of our community. Theresa Fike of Fike Gallery often describes the associations' work as the difference between "giving a man a fish or teaching him to fish." WIND reaches out to the less fortunate, often forgotten homeless youth and gives them hope, hope for a better future, one that includes independence, self-reliance, and personal pride.
Please help support this worthy cause. www.windyouth.org
Friday night's event is reservation only so call early to ensure your place in this important endeavor. Entrance fee is $30.00 per person or $45.00 per couple, with charity donation to WIND. Artist Lauri Blank and Theresa Fike are donating paper giclee prints of their art as raffle prizes. Tickets for the raffle will be on sale at Fike Gallery Friday Oct. 26th (need not be present to win). Fike Gallery is also donating 10% of all sales that night to support WIND.
Saturday Nov. 3rd. is an open door artist reception for Ms. Blank. Again there will be live music, tasty treats and great wine from 5 to 8 pm. Be sure to mark your calendar and be part of this special evening welcoming the incredible Ms. Lauri Blank to Folsom.
Fike Gallery,
627 Sutter Street, Folsom, CA. 95630
916-985-8444
www.fikegallery.com
The Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 am-6 pm, and Sunday 11am - 5 pm
See Also: Romance is Alive and Well At The Fike Gallery
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