For Laurie Martin-Cohn, “home” is both here in Oregon and half a world away.  Her paintings capture not only the beauty of our local scenic areas, but also take us to the romantic

landscapes of her French and Mediterranean ancestry.  We see dreamy clouds framing sunwashed cities and terra cotta roofs above the shadowed angles of old stone buildings.  The magic of her paintbrush pulls these two worlds together for us.

It wasn’t always so.  Laurie spent 23 years as a high school instructor, teaching theater and directing plays.  “When I retired,” she explains, “I was free to explore painting, which became my path to wholeness.”  Immersing herself in European art and history, something new

emerged.  Her painting of a relative’s gravesite at Église Saint Marie de Faucogney-et-la-Mer

shows a wrought iron cross overlooking the rolling farmland her family tilled before emigrating here in 1855.  The site beckons us to look toward the horizon to a new world, just as her artwork beckons us to look back.  

The subtle overtones of Laurie’s paintings tell her unique story while inviting us to explore ours. 

“Picasso said painting is just another way of keeping a diary,” Laurie tells us.  Her spectacular watercolors share pages from her history that help us understand our own.  

Laurie’s work has been juried into numerous shows, including those sponsored by Watercolor Society of Oregon.  You can see more of Laurie’s work at Three Rivers Gallery in Oregon City, and online at www.lauriemartincohn.blogspot.com.  Laurie has created Art Scarves using her watercolor paintings.  They are currently available at Multnomah Falls Gift Shop and cc McKenzie at PDX and Bend, Oregon. 

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The artwork shown here represents the style and skill of this artist. If you would like to inquire about the price or availability of a specific piece shown, please click here to contact the gallery or to submit our Artwork Inquiry Form.