Art is Experience: An Exchange of Energy and Ideas Between Artist and Viewer EP 91

For Laura McRae Hitchcock, art is a shared experience. The artist begins with a blank canvas (whatever that material or medium might be) and pulls in his or her creativity to create something from nothing. "It's all energy," she explains. "I use my whole body when I paint, and my paintings are infused with my energy." And if you had a sneak peek into her studio as she's preparing canvases, you'd see she's also infusing them with prayers for the viewers – and eventual owners – of her paintings. On the blank canvases, she writes prayers for safety, blessing, joy, love, and more… and then she preps for paint. You may not know it's there, but you'll feel it when you see it! For her, making art is a deeply spiritual act and it's her way of getting out of herself. She grew up feeling shy and sensitive; recognizing it was getting in the way of her being more fully in the world – to experience it and to impact it – and art has been her way of breaking through those barriers. Through this conversation, Laura and Laura also dive into the idea and experience of "thin spaces" – the places where it feels as if heaven and earth are both right there and you have this heightened awareness of there being so much more than what you see. Laura shares the inspiration of her Nest Series of paintings as being her recognition she could no longer directly control how safe her children are in the world, as they've grown and moved out. If you've ever had a heartfelt or truly visceral reaction to a piece of art, you'll appreciate this conversation and a view into the heart and thoughts of the artist. Laura's Bio Laura McRae Hitchcock is an award winning, internationally collected visual artist living and working in the low country of South Carolina. She is also a partner and founder of Wild Hair Adventures, a travel company specializing in art workshops and retreats and "traveling like girls." Her paintings move between realism and the abstract, in much the same way she moves between the physical experience of being human and remembering who she is as spirit. She believes that artwork creates a portal in which the artist holds space for the viewer to experience the energy of the intention of the art. Through those shared experiences, art heals the heart and soul...whether one does the creating or the looking and appreciating. Laura lives on a barrier island near Charleston, SC, with her husband of 35 years, and a sweet cocker spaniel named Gunner. She enjoys painting (of course!), spending time with her grown children and 1st grandchild, travel, exploring new places and ideas, collecting lovely sticks, rocks and shells, and gathering with other people for collaboration and celebration. Connect with Laura: Laura's Art Online Laura on Instagram Laura on Facebook Wild Hair Adventures ("travel like girls"!)