Local Artist Makes Her Debut at West Side Presbyterian Church
RIDGEWOOD—West Side Presbyterian Church is excited to welcome Bergen County artist Laura Hallada – and her stunning floral acrylics and watercolors - to The Gallery for the month of October!
Last year, from June to November, Hallada embarked on a 100-day painting project. The challenge was to create a painting every day for 100 days and share her journey on social media for accountability. The result was her Petite Flower Collection, Acrylic Studies Collection and Contour Line Watercolor Collection.
“I knew painting every day consecutively would be difficult, and I wanted to give myself some grace for when ‘life happened,’” she said. “To keep my momentum while traveling, I brought a journal and began a series of blind contour line drawing paintings. I leaned into this exploration and created the second half of my 100-day painting project with the Contour Line Watercolor Collection.
“The journey of this project really helped me to embrace my style and my love of painting flowers. I love everything about painting flowers – their grace, delicate petals, endless shapes and color variations, and both softness and drama. I am inspired by dramatic and interesting compositions as well as play on light and shadow, being influenced by Impressionist painters.”
Her exhibit at The Gallery at West Side – “Radiant Florescence” - is a collection of new floral acrylic paintings and selected watercolors from her 100-day painting project. “The title describes the inspiration behind my new acrylic paintings, which showcase my exploration of pushing reflective light, color, loose brushstrokes and dramatic perspectives,” Hallada explained. “The meaning of florescence is the process of flowering, which represents my continual process of growth as an artist.”
Hallada, who is originally from Southern California, began taking formal art classes at the age of nine. She earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Graphic Design from California State University, Fullerton.
Stop by The Gallery to see the exhibit on weekdays from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm or between 8:00 am and 12:00 pm on Sunday. Or come visit on Sunday, October 9 between 10:00 am and 12:00 pm for a reception and meet and greet with the artist.
Founded in 1912, West Side Presbyterian Church is a welcoming, inclusive church where people of all ages grow in faith, form lasting friendships and help our neighbors in need. West Side is located at 6 South Monroe Street in Ridgewood, NJ. For more information, please visit www.westside.org.