Born to Paint
I graduated from The Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia in 1984. I received The Cresson Traveling Scholarship Award which enabled me to travel throughout Europe for the summer and return for another year at the Academy where I studied with Will Barnet, Louis Sloan and Dan Miller.
Wherever I travel I use the opportunity to do plein air paintings including Acadia - Maine, Trout Run - Pennsylvania, Wellfleet - Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Amelia Island - Florida, Florence - Italy and Sedona - Arizona. Residencies I've attended are the Margo-Kelb dune shack in Provincetown, MA and Villa Arrigo in Florence, Italy.
Awards include Cresson Traveling Scholarship Award, The Elizabeth Greenshield Foundation, Purchase Prize at the Pennsylvania State Museum. Fellowship with the Center for Emerging Visual Artists. Exhibitions at The PA State Museum and The Delaware Art Museum, The Pennsylvania Governors Residence, FAME Fellowship of the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, The Philadelphia Art Alliance, The Delaware Center for Contemporary Arts and Bridgette Mayer Gallery.
The main themes I focus on in my work are based on nature and spirituality. I feel strongly about protecting the environment and the health of all animals on land and sea. I grew up on land that was my grandparents farm and have loved painting barns. This subject matter continues to interest me. My barns are imagined rather than actual locations. I believe painting surreal places is like creating my own movie set. We are not alone in the universe and the mystery of other life in the universe also influences my paintings.
There are many influences in my work. Staying open to the process is very fluid.
Visit www.LaurenLitwa.com to see more of my work. Thanks for visiting my Etsy Shop!
Original paintings are available. I paint in my studio in Rockville, Maryland and Trout Run, Pennsylvania. Email Lauren [!at] LitwaArt.com for more information.
