In her own words, Laura Ginn of Clarkston has had an affinity for art since she was young.
‘I’ve liked to do art my whole life,? she said. ‘My parents were really encouraging. They let me paint my wall in my bedroom. It’s got a big mural on it. They never said anything when I started painting all over my room.?
Now Ginn’s work covers others people’s walls as she works to become a professional artist
Ginn, 22, graduated from Clarkston High School in 2001, after which she attended Western Michigan University where she obtained bachelors degrees in philosophy and fine arts with an emphasis in photography.
After graduating, Ginn returned to Clarkston and started working at David Savage Photography while continuing to pursue her goals as an artist.
Taking a step toward those goals, Ginn’s work is currently on display as part of a month-long art show at LA Caf? and Java in Waterford.
‘Fulcrum? features Ginn’s mixed media artwork, most of which reflects her hometown of Clarkston. The show runs until July 2. Ginn was on hand for an opening reception on June 9.
Ginn said her mixed media work involves ‘a lot of different elements. I draw, I paint, I take the photographs… it’s almost like a collage.?
Finding her inspiration in everyday things she falls in love with, Ginn said she often ends up taking photographs of places she sees on a regular basis.
An example of Ginn’s work is a piece entitled ‘Water Tower,? with a photo taken from within Depot Park, with the blue Independence Township water tower faintly visible in the background. The photo is imposed on a painter’s canvas with a black and white drawing becoming part of the foreground.
Other pictures include items like the phone lines behind Ginn’s apartment and scenery from around the Clarkston area.
‘I just started doing series of photographs that centered around things in Clarkston and it just goes from there,? Ginn said.
‘When you go to school for art, you take classes in a lot of different mediums and I couldn’t decide which one I liked best so I would bring them all together,? Ginn said.
Also on display are several of Ginn’s ‘windows,? which she made with paint and glass and she said are intended to be placed somewhere where light can shine through them.
Ginn said the decision to feature her work at LA Caf? and Java was the spontaneous result of a visit to the establishment.
‘I was just in here having coffee with a friend and I said I wanted to have an art show somewhere in Clarkston,? said Ginn, who added that one phone call later to cafe owner Darren Graunstadt she had an art show scheduled.
Graunstadt said he likes to have art work on display at the cafe and wants to help local artists anytime he can. He said he does not charge for holding an art showcase at the cafe and does it just to help the artists get their name out there.
Likewise, Ginn said she would like to see more outlets for artists in the Clarkston area and jumped at the chance for the showcase them at the cafe.
A spontaneous conversation lead to the art show, and Ginn said her work is similarly made without detailed planning done ahead of time.
‘I never really know where I’m going with something when I first start it,? she said. ‘For me, it’s a process. It’s like an act of playing.?
Looking to the future, Ginn said she is hoping to return to school and obtain a masters degree in fine arts. She hopes to work as a professional artist, but when discussing applications to schools like Yale, she knows the road ahead will be challenging.
Ginn is the daughter of Ted and Michele Ginn of Clarkston, she has four siblings ? Amy, Brian, Jeff and Tim.
Ginn’s work is on display and for sale until July 2 at LA Cafe and Java, located at 5815 Dixie Hwy in Waterford. For more information contact the cafe at 248-623-1610.