Where were you born? Los Angeles.
What is your medium? I consider myself a collage artist and a printmaker. Many of my works are mixed media. I cut all my collage images by hand because I like the quality of hand to heart. I am also very low tech.
What themes do you pursue? Life’s observations with a whimsical twist, personal journeys, women, beauty and everyday moments. I have been working on a series about women and aging. I am turning 60 this year, so I guess I have to have a sense of humor about it and am using my art to deal with it.
How many years as an artist? I have always been an artist. I am drawn to the visual world. I always took art classes as a child and then I went to art school for college. I worked as a graphic designer when I got out of school and then began working in the field of design and architecture in the early 80’s. I had a career as an Interior Designer for 25 years and then in the beginning of 2008, I realized how much I missed and needed to create art. I have been working at my personal art ever since.
Most important tool you use? A xerox machine and my intuition.
What was the best advice given to you as an artist? When you put something down on a page, does it add to your piece, take away from your piece or is it a neutral? I always use that rule. Every time I add something, it has to enhance the piece or it does not belong on the page. Also, what you don’t say is as important as what you say. I use the negative space as equal importance to what I put down.
Where is your studio? I work at an art studio in Santa Monica, California where I use a press to do my printmaking and share the space with other artists. I then paint and collage over the images at a studio I have in my home. It is in the hills of Los Angeles overlooking the valley. I have an inner garden that my studio looks out on to. It’s a is very healing environment where I often spend time reflecting on my current project. I also like working at the home studio because I can stay up very late at night and not worry about driving home in LA traffic.
Why do you make art? I have to make art. I love and live to make images. Ideas are always coming into my head. I get inspired by the world around me. I can’t stop creating.
Favorite Font? Clean and simple Helvetica light.
Prefer to work with music or silence? I must have music. I am inspired by Jazz and World Music. Miles Davis is always a good choice and I love Latin Jazz, especially music from Cuba.
Succulents or cigarettes? Succulents.
Where can we find you outside the studio? Yoga class, hiking, reading, spending time with my husband and lots of traveling. I never stop thinking about my art. Everything outside the studio inspires later images.
Who are your favorite writers? Too many to name. Muriel Barbery’s Elegance Of The Hedgehog. It was very Wabi Sabi. I also liked Rules of Civility by Amor Towles. I also love English writers from the early 20th Century.
What could you not do without? Beauty and Humor.
If you could not be an artist, what would you do? Be unemployed. At this point in my life, I have to be an artist. I have no choice.
Would you rather be able to make a living as an artist now or become famous after you die? Now. I live in the moment and try to stay true to who I am.
Greatest Achievement? Being asked to do one of the official posters for the Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 1984.
Astrology or Astronomy? Astrology! I am a Leo and totally right brained.
Religion or pop culture? Spirituality.
“Homage in Blue” by Laurie Raskin is available for sale $1,200.00 at Saatchi Online
Would you rather see your art on a T Shirt or on a Billboard? Both. I have designed T shirts and my work has been on over 100 large murals in stores.
Traditional or conceptual? Conceptual. I always start with an idea and the images follow.
What do you collect? Works that speaks to my soul. A few contemporary paintings, photography, 12th-17th Century buddhas and goddesses, art work by friends. I also collect tons of images to be used later in my art. I have thousands of post cards.
Favorite contemporary artists? Robert Rauschenberg, Henri Matisse, Warhol, El Lissitzky, Kirt Schwitters and Sonia Delaunay. I guess they are not so contemporary any more.
A piece of art you love? The Matisse cut outs.
Which living or dead artist would you most like to meet? I would like to have been a student at the Bauhaus and hung out with all the artists there.
Favorite Paper Type? Arches Paper 300 lb for Hot Press
Use anything other than paint? I don’t really consider myself a painter but I do use paints. For paints I use oils for grounds. I usually use acrylics and gouache with my images. I also use prisma color pencils, inks, pastels, photography and cut out images to paste over my prints.
Figurative or Abstract? Both and neither.
What do you wear while you paint? Old T shirts and jeans. I always have paint all over me.
Working Inside or Outside? Inside. I need to sit at a large table and move images around. I work outside when I create grounds for my prints.
Monet or Manet? Monet for sure. I went to see a traveling show of some of the Water Lilly’s in Chicago when I was very young and the paintings have always stayed with me. I was in Paris last year and went to Musee de L’ Orangerie to see the large Water Lilly paintings and they were such an inspiration. Sheer Beauty!
Fabulous article, fabulous artist. I love Laurie’s work, her attitude and her journey.
This interview leaves me feeling refreshed and inspired. Laurie has such a fun and creative spirit, as evident in her work and words. Thank you for posting.
I absolutely loved this interview and learned so much more about YOU, my friend and art colleague. What beautiful images chosen and the clarity of who YOU are is apparent from your answers. I GOT YOU! xo
WHAT A GREAT INTERVIEW!!! YOU CAME ACROSS EXACTLY AS I SEE YOU.
“Both and neither.” I love that about Laurie’s work. Love the wit in the Woman Series. Nice work!
Fabulous article and so true to who Laurie is and what she represents to us through her art. I also learned so much more about Laurie that I didn’t know. Isn’t the picture of her in the garden just perfect? Thanks for sharing!
Laurie you are such a beautiful person inside and out! Truly inspiring. This article gave me more insight into who you are, and it just made me love you even more!
Laurie Raskin’s work is truly inspired. I love Saatchi featuring new artists online. This one is a winner!
Bravo on saluting Laurie Raskin’s remarkable art!
To view her work is to fill your heart with joy. And what higher purpose for art
is there?
love how this artist uses negative space to create such a strong dynamic!
Laurie so fabulous and you look gorgeous now as you did in Junior High~so proud to see what a fine artist you have become! Smiles and happiness always to see your work and passion unfold into a such a beautiful reality! Bravo~Aloha
Love this article and this fabulous artist. The photographs are beautifully done as well. Kudos for highlighting this dynamic, inspiring artist.
I’ve been a fan of Laurie’s works since the 80′s. inspired by her creative energy. love her spirt. she’s just beautiful. Congrats on the interview.
Laurie/Flip,
I went to high school with you, hardly knew you. Created our Class reunion together – got to know you better than I ever have AND had such fun creating our reunion and seeing your art work for our Class Yearbook .
I never knew any of this about you and your art. What a pleasure it is to read all about you. Indeed you ARE so inspiring.
Love your art work!!!
Your flip buddy,
Karen
Hi Laurie,
You have always been a breath of fresh air! It is so nice to see your talent being showcased. I have always believed in you and your work. Great interview.
Love, Ruth
Beautiful! Inspiring! Grounded!
Love you,
Danni
Thank you for the interview from “the studio of Laurie Raskin.” I live in Chicago and follow The Monster School etc. But I love artists from Cal Arts and Laurie seems right up there with the winners from their work. Really appreciate that you found her “in the hills” of LA. I’d really like to meet her. Please check in on her work from time to time.
Laurie was born an Artist. She’s naturally elegant ,happy & generous.
She gets her inspiration from people who she loves and love her back! That’s why she’s always radiant… I’m not surprised but her success, it was expected and well deserved! Bravo Laurie!
What a lovely lady…..really enjoyed the art.icle……
Love that she is so down to earth and not got the art diva attitude!
Very nice interview! Wishing you all the best!
Hallo …
(Art is the oxygen of life and colors are the waves …., art, drawing and painting the ship is the space and freedom … Sail and creativity, and we hope that the artist is the Ambassador of the meaning of beauty …)
With all due respect and appreciation
Introduce myself I am a young self-made artist and sculptor, I taught myself to read books and magazines, technical journals, and daily practice. I develop my talent was in sculpting and painting, and after 29 years of experience, and worked from a large number of art galleries, and drawing on the sand, and silk, calligraphy … I want to work in the field of art, and I finish my studies of art, and I correspond to the institutions and associations to seek the help … I’m looking for an opportunity to show my talent and techniques I will continue to move forward towards my dream because life and hope … And associations to participate in art exhibitions … The fact that art has no country, and I am waiting for your reply I had the pleasure
Best regards and best wishes .
great interview. congratulations!
Laurie, I loved this article about you; it was a pleasure to read. I was very impressed. I have not known you a long time, so it was great to learn more about you. I do know that you have an aura of tranquility surrounding you, like your garden.
Really can understand Laurie’s comments on the need to create art. To work on your personal art is most important. Dance #1 is great!
Laurie is such a talented and beautiful woman.
What a great interview – she’s so articulate and so passionate and true to her art.
Most impressive!
Hi Laurie!
Nice to meet up with you again!
Dana and Perla