Laura Berger: Slip

Slip, by Laura Berger.
15% of the gross sale of this print goes to 826 National.

Laura Berger is a Chicago-based artist and illustrator. Her work has been exhibited in solo and group shows around the US and Canada, and you can also find Laura's work at indie craft markets, such as Renegade Craft Fair in Chicago. Laura also does freelance illustration work, and is currently trying to carve out extra time to work on writing and illustrating a children's book.

About the print:
This piece is called Slip – it is an archival digital print of an original painting on matte heavyweight paper. The original was done in gouache on paper for a solo show at The Candystore Collective in San Francisco that ran from July through September 2009.

The show was called "Recurrence" and was generally focused on patterns – both visually and, in a larger sense, I was thinking about the way themes and lessons crop up repeatedly, or cyclically, in our lives. "Slip" was definitely the most personal of the pieces from the show and it was inspired by the idea of life handing you the same lesson repeatedly, just presented in different forms.

PURCHASE $40!

What has inspired you recently?
I’ve been traveling quite a bit this year. I took a beautiful desert journey last spring, and a couple of cross-country road trips. I just got back from a trip to Europe where I visited France, Belgium, and Amsterdam. Next up, Hawaii! Travel is always inspiring – I think that ideas and themes seep into your subconscious, and when you travel you also have the space to process these ideas in a different way than you do when going about your normal routine. Plus (obviously) getting to see things you’ve never seen before, and experiencing life within a different culture provides amazing groundwork for new thoughts and ideas. I’m a big fan of traveling, if you couldn’t tell!

Why did you choose to pair 826 National with your print?
I've chosen to pair my print with 826 National. I have friends who have volunteered with this organization and have seen firsthand the impact it has on the children's lives and self-esteem. I think that fostering creativity and encouraging artistic freedom from a young age is so so important to development – as people and as artists. Lots of kids don't get those things at home, and 826 National provides such an amazing place for them to start to feel comfortable and supported with their own ideas and voice.

How have you seen art transform the world around you?
Art is necessary. It makes us feel connected and affirmed, both for the person creating the art, and for the person viewing it. Even if it isn’t something we love, but we still have a reaction to it – that is powerful. It’s really interesting to see the new ways people are finding to get exposure for their work in an age where we do so much online. I love street art – little tidbits that you see when walking around the city that someone took the time to post anonymously. It’s done for no selfish purposes – it’s just out there to provoke thoughts and to make someone’s day a little more interesting.

If you could pick one artist to mentor you, who would it be?
Oh woah, I don’t know! That’s a big question. Off the top of my head, maybe Yoshitomo Nara. I love his work and he seems like an adventurous soul with a good sense of humor.