THIS IS ARTFeatured Artist - Laura “Mic” McAllister Well my friends, this is where I introduce a new column which I hope to make a regular feature here in This Is Kingwood Magazine. It’s an art column called This Is Art and I hope you’ll enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it. You might have to bear with me though, as I’m no art critic, nor am I an art “expert”. I’m just a guy who enjoys experiencing the world around me with an open mind and two very open eyes. I admit that I’ve dabbled most of my life in various forms of art including painting, music, graphic design, collage, performance and more but have never really been able to commit the time and effort needed to become what I or probably anyone else would call a real “Artist”.effort needed to become what I or probably anyone else would call a real “Artist”. The people who will be featured in this column, on the other hand, are, in my humble opinion, the true definition of that word. There are a lot of them right here in our community and I can’t wait to really start introducing them and their work to you. The first such artist I recently learned of after I happened upon her work at the new Watson-Huff Gallery here in Kingwood. Her name is Laura “Mic” McAllister and her work, abstract as much of it is, has a way of speaking very clearly to those who come across it. Many of her paintings have a tendency to draw the viewer into a somewhat bleak world that seems to hold either disturbing, revealing or questioning secrets which it is bursting at the seams to expose. Instead of trying to tell you what the works meant to me, let’s hear from the artist herself.THIS IS KINGWOOD:THIS IS KINGWOOD: So Mic, I recently came across your work at the Watson-Huff Gallery here in Kingwood and it really grabbed me. I was speaking with the curator and told her how much I really loved those pieces and how there seemed to be a real sense of what I could only describe as “lonesomeness” in certain works. In others, there seemed to be a sense of the artist (you) grappling with some real inner turmoil. Rather than ask you about specific paintings and what they mean, I'm hoping you can let our readers in on who you are, where your inspiration comes from and what drives you

Mic: Art is a form of communication. The magic of this form is that it communicates on different levels to different people. Language is much more limiting. Human behavior has always baffled me. This was true even when I was a young child. I saw blatant hypocrisy and aggression that seemed based on unreasonable fears everywhere. At other times I would witness incredible acts of kindness and selfless love that seemed based on nothing reasonable either. I have been seeking an explanation for these behaviors since I was young. I have travelled all over the world observing different cultures and belief systems. I have noticed these traits in all cultures in different ways, cultures and belief systems. I have noticed these traits in all cultures in different ways, everywhere. What I have concluded is this: Humans are basically good. Humans are filled with fear of the unknown of every kind.

Much of our belief systems are based on fears. A few are based on love.

It is VERY difficult for our species to unlearn a learned belief system no matter how hypocritical or oppressive it may be. Our biggest problem as a species is communication. I have always loved art. I feel it is something that chooses the person as opposed to the person choosing it. It chooses me. I have no memory of wanting to do anything else. It is part of who I am. My inspiration comes from people. Despite everything I love people and the oneness that connects us all. I find that art is a gentle way to communicate to people the beauty that is within and around, and the hypocritical behaviors and beliefs that create nightmares in our lives. There is power in one. behaviors and beliefs that create nightmares in our lives. There is power in one. There is power in the pen. There is power in the brush. Artists mold our culture and I take that task seriously.

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