Capturing A Moment In Time

Lauren Kuhn's painting of her mother graces the flyers and posters of the Riverside Festival of the Arts.

"Tell me about your artistic process--where does it come from?"
"I think you find a lot of inspiration from wherever your location is. I know myself and the other artist I came here with, we really scouted out the area a lot to find the right spot. And then I really find my artistic inspiration in using my artistic license as much as possible. I omit a lot of things, I add in a lot of things: just 'cause something's there doesn't mean you have to include it."
"So an artist can change his or her surroundings in a way that he or she sees fit?"
"Right. Because a lot of things can be scenic but they can't necessarily translate into paint. Only certain things really will speak to you, so I think if you find the right spot and you find the right subject, then you'll find your own inspiration."
"What is your favorite subject?"
"What I do for my living is I paint portraits, mostly children, grandchildren, and I do pet portraiture and home portraiture, but I do like capturing a moment in time as opposed to just someone's profile or one's likeness--capturing a moment that's a memory for someone and putting it into paint from a photograph."

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