Canadian born Laurie McKern is a contemporary figurative and landscape artist working mainly with gouache, oils, oil pastels, encaustic wax and fabric. Mckern is just like her art, bright, mood lifting and beautiful. Looking at her works, it is obvious how drawn she is to the fluidity of the human form. She doesn’t shy from unusual angles and shadows, rather these are embraced and highlighted within her works.
Mckern explains that her creativity was born in her grandmothers house in her home town of Toronto, Canada. Her grandmother was a dressmaker and Mckern fondly remembers the inspiring imagery of fashion figures, fabric snips and designs cluttering the walls when she visited. It was these early visuals that left a lasting impression on Mckern and continues to inspire her figurative painting series.
“My childhood summers were spent at my grandmother’s, a talented dressmaker with a basement studio. This is where my fascination with fashion and textiles began.”
Mckern’s professional artistic career began with illustration work and progressed to full time painter after she moved to Sydney, Australia.
“I am always evolving and expressing my surroundings as they change. The more I travel – the more I enjoy outdoor sketching and painting landscapes and nature. However, my favourite thing to paint is always people, especially women.”
In 2019 Mackern was awarded a 30 day artist residency at the Olive Stack Gallery in Listowel, Ireland followed by a years art residency at Creative Space, North Curl Curl, Sydney in 2020. Most recently, Mckern was announced Winner of the Artspace Popup Art Prize, The Entrance, for her painting ‘The Girl With The Turquoise Earring’.
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KAB Gallery Terrigal
KAB Gallery Terrigal opened in 2013, the life-long dream of Director and Gallery Curator Kerry-Anne Blanket who has spent her career appraising, selling and educating about art.
Located on the beachfront underneath the well-known 4-star hotel landmark of Crowne Plaza Terrigal, KAB Gallery Terrigal provides a full suite of gallery and art related services from this gorgeous space overlooking the famous Terrigal Beach.
Located just an hours drive north from Sydney, KAB Gallery Terrigal is our flagship gallery open 7 days a week. Our rotating exhibition of some of Australia's best collectable and contemporary art changes regularly, and there's always something to suit all tastes.
KAB Gallery Sydney opened in 2020 as a second gallery and art consultancy space of the KAB Gallery brand. Our original Terrigal gallery opened in 2013, the life-long dream of Director and Gallery Curator Kerry-Anne Blanket who has spent her career appraising, selling and educating about art.
Located in the most visible position on one of Sydney's busiest road, KAB Gallery Sydney in Pymble offers a revolving exhibition of Australia's best collectable and contemporary art, along with an expert art consulting service and other related services. Next to Pymble train station and with a large carpark directly behind us, KAB Gallery Sydney is so easy to visit for everyone throughout Sydney.
