In advance of Artbeat Studio’s 24-Hour Art-a-thon Feb 6 to 7, CNC profiles the artists participating in this event that is raising funds for Artbeat Studio, an organization supporting artists with mental illness. Click here to read the other profiles.
Laurie Green
After Laurie Green’s marriage ended, she decided to become a social worker in order to make sure her son was cared for. However, once she completed her studies and tried to find employment, Laurie ran into a barrier — her own mind.
“My anxiety prevented me from getting a job,” says Laurie. “I tried applying for counselling positions, hoping an employer might be sensitive to my [illness]. But it didn’t work out.”
Laurie decided to reconsider her choices, and always being artistically inclined, she decided to try the art angle again.
“I’ve always enjoyed art, and it turned out to be a good choice.”
Laurie was chosen as a member of the fourth group that started at Artbeat Studio in August of 2006. Artbeat Studio gave Laurie the confidence she needed and had lacked before entering the program.
After graduating from Artbeat Studio’s residency program, Laurie transferred over to Studio Central to continue creating art and now partially works from her home. Laurie has developed a specialty for weaving pop culture and art into a mixed media format. She also creates stencils, one of which depicts Manitoba’s famous political tour de force: Louis Riel.
Man in the Jet’s Toque by Laurie Green
Her brand of art has made her popular with her contemporaries and critics alike. Gerald Herron, another Artbeat Studio alumnus, commissioned Laurie to create a series of illustrations for a self-published poetry book called “Days Gone By”. The Winnipeg Free Press also highlighted a piece of a man in a snowstorm, wearing a real scarf and a toque with the old Jet’s logo on it from the group show Art-i-peg.
“I think, now, why did I ever stop doing this?” muses Laurie.
Considering her critical success, it appears that many people would agree with Laurie that she made the right choice.
Laurie Green is one of seven Artbeat Studio alumni participating in the 24-Hour Art-a-thon from Feb. 6-7, 2014 beginning at 5 p.m. The 24-Hour Art-a-thon is an event to raise money for Artbeat Studio’s endowment fund, which supports its core-programming. To support Laurie and Artbeat Studio, please visit The Winnipeg Foundation’s website to donate online.
